Recap | Miracles of the Old Testament | Manna

Exodus 16 records the story of God’s provision for the Israelites after the Exodus. As God’s people make their way to the Promised Land, He provides for their physical needs while testing their hearts.

Upon leaving Egypt, the Israelites travel through the Sinai desert on their way to Canaan. The new challenges that this wilderness presents to them quickly overshadow the miracle of the Passover and escape from Egypt. They begin to complain to Moses and Aaron about their lack of food. They claim that they never went hungry while in slavery in Egypt. The Israelites quickly forget about the great act God has done for them, and they prefer the comfort and stability of slavery to the freedom of rescue.  We experience a similar struggle as believers – when we are freed from our sin and must abandon its comforts, life becomes much more complex.

Another observation from this story regards the act of complaining. Why did the Israelites complain? Complaining shows a sense of entitlement. When we complain, we show that we don’t trust God to provide everything that we need. We think He is withholding something. The opposite of complaining is asking God humbly – instead of entitlement, it shows dependence.

In response to the complaints of the Israelites, God decides to test them. However, the test is not to reveal anything to Him. Instead, the test is designed to show the Israelites the state of their own hearts. God promises to provide them with food from heaven, but He will test them in giving them instructions on how to receive this provision.

It is important to note that God provides for Israel before they respond to the test. The provision is not a reward for obedience. Instead, the test comes after the blessing. It is the same with salvation. God’s grace is not a reward for our faithfulness. It is given freely, regardless of our actions.

God gives the Israelites instructions on receiving His provision, which will take the form of manna. He instructs all to gather two quarts per person. Some families gather more, and some gather less, but “Each family had just what it needed” (16:18). This shows that the community of the Israelites worked together to provide for its needs. Those who had greater resources helped those who had fewer resources, a principle that is also commended by Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:11-15. As believers, those of us with an abundance of resources should look to meet the needs of others.

God also commands the Israelites not to gather any manna on the Sabbath. This required a large amount of trust in Him, because the food usually became spoiled by the end of the day. However, when the Israelites obeyed God, He preserved the substance for two days so they didn’t have to gather manna on the Sabbath. These instructions cultivated an attitude of trust in God, and they required the Israelites to establish a healthy balance of work and rest. Diligent work humbles the soul and demonstrates gratitude to God, while rest forces us to trust that God will provide in the absence of our effort.

This rich and complex passage has much to say to the modern-day American believer. It prompts some difficult questions:

1. Do I trust God enough to work diligently at what He has provided?
2. For men: Am I willing to work at a job that I don’t enjoy, even if it is what God has placed in front of me?
3. Am I engaging in fake work that detracts from my responsibilities at my job and with my family?
4. For women: Am I carrying enough responsibility? Am I giving enough time to my job, home, or children?
5. Am I giving my resources to provide for others? Am I meeting needs in the community?
6. Do I feel entitled to have others meet my needs, or am I working diligently?
7. Do I trust God enough to rest?  Can I step back from my own efforts and trust God to provide for me, independent of my own work?

In conclusion, God has provided for us. In the same way that He met Israel’s physical needs, He has met our spiritual needs. Just as God sent manna from heaven to provide for the Israelites, He sent Jesus from heaven to provide a sacrifice for our sins and to restore us to Him forever.

-Alexander Batson

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Worship Songs from the Weekend

  • Found: Philippians 3:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:43
  • Whole Again: John 6:53-54, Mark 14:24, Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:7
  • Great Are You Lord: Psalm 104, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 98
  • Give Me Faith: Psalm 73:25-26
  • I Will Look Up: Psalm 57:7-11, Isaiah 26:1-8, 2 Samuel 22:26-31