When
the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.”
Exodus 16:15
Exodus 16 [13.] In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.” This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded: “Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer[a] a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.” The children of Israel did so, and gathered some more, some less. When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They gathered every man according to his eating. Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and became foul: and Moses was angry with them. They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. He said to them, “This is that which Yahweh has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Yahweh. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’” They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked, and it didn’t become foul, and there were no worms in it.
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 16:16 An omer is about 2.2 liters or about 2.3 quarts
Meaning:
This verse marks a pivotal moment during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, a moment that reveals both their dependency on God and His miraculous provision for them.
- The Wilderness Journey:
A Time of Testing: The Israelites had recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt, and they were now journeying through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. This was a time of testing and preparation, as God sought to teach His people to trust Him and to rely on His provision rather than on their own understanding or resources.
The People's Complaints: Despite witnessing God’s mighty works in Egypt and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites quickly began to grumble against Moses and Aaron when they faced hardship. In Exodus 16, they complained about the lack of food, wishing they had died in Egypt where they had plenty to eat. Their complaints demonstrated a lack of faith and trust in God’s ability to provide for them.
- God’s Response:
Provision of Manna: In response to the people's complaints, God promised to rain down bread from heaven for them. This bread, known as manna, would sustain them throughout their journey in the wilderness. The manna appeared each morning, and the people were instructed to gather only what they needed for each day, except on the day before the Sabbath, when they were to gather enough for two days. This daily provision was intended to teach the Israelites to depend on God’s continual provision.
The Mystery of Manna: When the Israelites first saw the manna, they were perplexed and asked, "What is it?" This question reflects both their astonishment and their ignorance of God’s ways. The word "manna" itself comes from the Hebrew phrase "man hu," meaning "What is it?" Moses’ response clarified that this was the bread God had given them to eat—a direct and tangible gift from God to meet their physical needs.
Significance
- Manna as a Symbol of God’s Provision:
Daily Sustenance: The manna represents God’s daily provision for His people. It was given fresh each day, just as God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Israelites were to gather only what they needed for the day, which taught them to trust in God’s provision and to rely on Him for their daily sustenance. This principle is echoed in the Lord’s Prayer, where we are taught to pray, "Give us today our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11), acknowledging our dependence on God for our daily needs.
A Test of Obedience: The gathering of manna was also a test of the Israelites’ obedience and faith. God commanded them not to hoard the manna but to trust that He would provide for them each day. Some, however, tried to gather more than they needed, only to find that the excess manna spoiled and bred worms (Exodus 16:20). This serves as a reminder that hoarding and self-reliance can lead to spiritual decay, whereas trust and obedience bring life and blessing.
- Manna as a Foreshadowing of Christ:
Bread from Heaven: The manna in the wilderness is a type, or foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ, who is the true "bread of life" (John 6:35). In John 6:32-33, Jesus tells the crowd, "Moses didn’t give you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world." Just as the manna sustained the Israelites physically, Jesus sustains us spiritually. He is the bread that satisfies our deepest hunger and gives us eternal life.
Spiritual Nourishment: While the manna provided temporary sustenance, Jesus offers eternal nourishment. In John 6:51, He says, "I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." This verse emphasizes that true life and sustenance come from a relationship with Jesus, who gave His life for us.
Theological Reflection
- God’s Faithfulness in Provision:
Learning Dependence: Exodus 16:15 challenges us to reflect on our dependence on God. Just as the Israelites needed to trust God for their daily bread, we too are called to trust Him for all our needs, both physical and spiritual. This dependence on God fosters a deeper relationship with Him, as we learn to rely on His faithfulness rather than on our own efforts.
Recognizing God’s Provision: The Israelites initially didn’t recognize the manna as God’s provision, asking, "What is it?" Similarly, we might sometimes fail to recognize God’s hand in our lives, especially when His provision comes in unexpected ways. This verse encourages us to remain open to God’s provision, trusting that He knows what we need even before we ask (Matthew 6:8).
- Spiritual Nourishment in Christ:
Seeking the True Bread: While the manna met the Israelites’ physical hunger, it pointed to a greater need—the need for spiritual nourishment in Christ. We are reminded that physical sustenance alone is not enough; we need the bread of life, Jesus, to truly live. This calls us to prioritize our spiritual well-being, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Living by Faith: Just as the Israelites were called to gather manna each day, we are called to seek Jesus daily, feeding on His Word and living by faith in Him. This daily dependence on Christ is essential for our spiritual growth and sustenance.
Practical Applications
- Trusting in God’s Daily Provision:
Living with Gratitude: Recognizing God as our provider should lead us to live with gratitude and contentment. We can trust that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). This trust frees us from anxiety and allows us to live with peace and joy, knowing that God is in control.
Obedience in the Small Things: The Israelites were tested in their obedience by how they gathered the manna. Similarly, we are often tested in the small things of life. Faithfulness in these small areas prepares us for greater responsibilities and blessings (Luke 16:10). Our daily walk with God involves consistent, faithful obedience to His commands.
- Feeding on Christ, the Bread of Life:
Daily Devotion: Just as the Israelites gathered manna daily, we should make it a priority to "gather" spiritual nourishment each day through prayer, reading Scripture, and meditating on God’s Word. This daily practice sustains our faith and strengthens our relationship with Christ.
Sharing the Bread of Life: As recipients of God’s provision, we are also called to share this "bread" with others. We can do this by sharing the gospel, serving those in need, and being a source of encouragement and support to those around us.
Conclusion: Exodus 16:15 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithful provision for His people. The manna in the wilderness not only met the physical needs of the Israelites but also pointed to the greater provision of Jesus Christ, the bread of life. As we reflect on this verse, we are encouraged to trust in God’s daily provision, live in obedience to His commands, and seek our spiritual nourishment in Christ alone.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible