Session 6
Exodus 16:11-19; 17:1-6
Memory Verse: Exodus 16:12
God provides for His people’s needs.
Those who come to Christ and experience His redeeming love and forgiveness might expect God to swoop in and carry them to heaven like Elijah in the chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). But when we are born again, God’s work in our life has just begun. After God’s miraculous rescue of the Israelites at the Red Sea, they found themselves in the harsh wilderness (Ex. 15:22), exactly where they needed to be. It was a place where they had to rely on the Lord.
After we come to Christ, we often find ourselves in a world hostile to the God of grace. Survival in this “wilderness” requires that we stop relying on our own resourcefulness and trust God and His Word. As you prepare to lead this session, consider how God has used “wilderness” times to lead you and to shape you into His image. Spend time thanking Him for the hard times and consider sharing some examples with the adults in your Bible study.
“Who’s on first?” Although the sketch predated the duo, Abbott and Costello made it famous, first performing it in 1938. The gist is that baseball players have names that form the answers about their identity. In the sketch, Who is on first; What is on second; I Don’t Know is on third; Why is in left field; Because is in center field; Tomorrow is the pitcher; Today is the catcher; and I Don’t Care is the shortstop. It’s been called the best comedy sketch of the twentieth century. In this week’s Bible passage, God worked in such a way that left no question who He is and what He can do. (PSG, p. 55)
The celebratory song that Moses and the Israelites sang after the Red Sea deliverance included this verse: “With your faithful love, you will lead the people you have redeemed; you will guide them to your holy dwelling with your strength.” (Ex. 15:13). Later, when Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, the Lord reminded them that He had personally carried them on “eagles’ wings” and personally led them by His presence each step of the way in the wilderness (19:4). Redeemed people may count on the Lord leading them with His presence to wherever He wants them to be. As Paul wrote, “All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons” (Rom. 8:14).
The prophet Hosea quoted God to explain the deeper reason for God moving His people through the desert (Hos. 2:14). It was not a matter of judgment or punishment against them. Instead, it was an act of love and compassion. The Lord had brought them to a place of absolute need so they would turn to Him as the only One capable of meeting that need. He wanted to show His abundant love by providing for them, but they had to trust Him.
That is what readers discover in Exodus 16-17. God led His people three days into the wilderness (as Moses had told Pharaoh in 8:27) before guiding them to Elim, an oasis with palm trees and many springs of water (16:1). Then He led them to another wilderness to show them that their God of redemption was also a God of tender care and provision. He displayed His glory not only by demonstrating His power over the seas and over their enemies, but He also revealed Himself by caring for His children in difficult circumstances (16:7,12).
In addition, the Lord used their time in the wilderness to teach the Israelites some of what it means to live as God’s people, trusting in “the Lord who heals you” (15:26). Forty years later, preparing to move into Canaan, Moses could look back and remind the Israelites how God had met their needs in an awesome way (Deut. 8:3).
More important, he could tell them that true satisfaction comes from obeying God’s words. While God is gracious in meeting our physical needs, we should never forget that our greatest needs are spiritual. Thankfully, God has made a way for those needs to be met as well. He provides our “daily bread” in every way imaginable (Matt. 6:11).
As you read Exodus 16:11-19; 17:1-6, look for indications that the people’s situations were likely made worse because they were in the wilderness. How did God provide for His people in these challenging situations? What does this say about God’s ability and willingness to provide for you and your needs today? (PSG, p. 56)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
11 The Lord spoke to Moses, 12 “I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them: At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” 13 So at evening quail came and covered the camp. In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew evaporated, there were fine flakes on the desert surface, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” because they didn’t know what it was. Moses told them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.”
The waters of Marah
God often follows up mountaintop experiences with valleys of testing. Following God’s victory over Egypt at the Red Sea, He led Israel into the Wilderness of Shur, a desolate region in the northern Sinai peninsula. The first big challenge they faced was a lack of water. After three days, they found water at a spot called Marah (which means “bitter”). But, as its name implied, the water was not fit to drink (Ex. 15:22-23).
Instead of trusting God, the people grumbled against Moses (15:24). In response, God performed yet another miracle of provision through Moses. This was a preview of things to come, but the people’s negative attitude and lack of faith also served as a cautionary tale for His people.
(v. 12) Complaints: Even after seeing God meet their needs at Marah, the Israelites still found reasons to be unhappy. Despite having water to drink, they wanted meat to eat-and reverted to revisionist history to make their point. They forgot the oppression of slavery and voiced a longing for their old lives in Egypt (16:1-9).
The Hebrew wording here reflects strong hostility and verbal attacks. These harsh words and accusations can be traced to dissatisfaction or discontent. From a biblical perspective, unbelief would also play a role. The text notes that the people’s complaints were directed at Moses. However, since he served as God’s ambassador, the Lord was the ultimate target of their negativity.
(v. 12) You will know: God’s relationship with Israel in the wilderness involved an ongoing series of teachable moments. Like a parent raising a child, God patiently and consistently taught them what it meant to be His people in the world. In this case, they would be filled with the food He provided. More important, they would recognize Him as their only Provider.
(v. 13) Quail: The quail mentioned in the Bible were smaller, migratory birds. Likely, this flock had stopped to rest after a long flight. Because they were weak fliers and tired, the birds would have been easy targets for the hungry Hebrews.
The provision of quail is only mentioned here, in Numbers 11:31-32, and in Psalm 105:40. It was probably not a regular event but a one-time gift from God. The main focus throughout the wilderness years is placed on the manna.
(v. 15) “What is it?”: In addition to the quail in the evening, God provided again in the morning. When the Israelites came out of their tents that day, a layer of fine flakes covered the ground. The name “manna” (16:31) comes from the Hebrew for “What?” and probably represented the question, “What is it?”
Moses called it the bread the Lord has given you, and it could be found every morning except the Sabbath. God sent twice as much on the day before each Sabbath so the people could honor His day. The fact that it came miraculously six mornings a week for forty years should have taught Israel to look humbly to the Lord to meet their needs (Deut. 8:2-3).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
16 “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each person needs to eat. You may take two quarts per individual, according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.’” 17 So the Israelites did this. Some gathered a lot, some a little. 18 When they measured it by quarts, the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat.
19 Moses said to them, “No one is to let any of it remain until morning.”
(v. 16) The Lord has commanded: Manna was God’s idea, not something Moses dreamed up. As a result, God had the authority to set the rules for how it could be gathered. The Hebrew word for commanded involves placing a charge on someone or issuing an order. God had also established guidelines for eating the Passover sacrifice before Israel left Egypt (Ex. 12:3-4,10).
(v. 16) As much of it as each person needs: God provides for our needs, not our prideful wants or our demands for security through abundance. The Israelites were commanded to gather only enough for the day. This was contrary to human wisdom, which demands that we “save for a rainy day.” But God was teaching them to rely on Him every day. The Lord said they could eat until they were full (see v. 12). But since “full” is subjective, He specified an average of two quarts per individual.
Passover and Manna
Some scholars also see similarities between manna and the Passover sacrifice, which was to be eaten on the night it was killed (12:8). Anything left over until morning was to be burned (12:10). Evidently this is because it was a holy sacrifice. By eating it, the people set themselves apart as God’s holy people.
The manna was not a sacrifice, but it was meant to point to God’s provision of a Messiah who would give His life as spiritual Bread for all who would believe. As the Passover sacrifice pointed ahead to its fulfillment in Christ, so did God’s provision of “the bread from heaven” (John 6:32-33).
(v. 17) Some gathered a lot . . . a little: Verse 18 seems to suggest that one person from each family collected for the group. They may have pooled their harvest to provide enough for each person. However it happened, those who collected more did not have a surplus, while those who took in less did not experience lack (v. 18).
Paul may have been thinking of this principle when he wrote to the Corinthians about proper motives in giving. In 2 Corinthians 8:15, the apostle quoted Exodus 16:18 in the context of generosity. He said those who have plenty should share with those in need so everyone would have what they needed to survive and thrive for the sake of the gospel.
(v. 19) Remain until morning: The Israelites were to gather only enough for each person to consume with gratitude that day. Hoarding is generally recognized as a behavioral disorder, but it also can be a spiritual disorder that demonstrates a failure to trust God. Jesus reminded His followers that God cares for the birds-and people are worth much more than birds (Luke 12:24). God would make sure they had what they needed each day.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 The entire Israelite community left the Wilderness of Sin, moving from one place to the next according to the Lord’s command. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why are you complaining to me?” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me!”
5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take the staff you struck the Nile with in your hand and go. 6 I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.
(v. 1) Entire Israelite community: When it was time to move, the nation moved out as one. They moved at the Lord’s command, led by the pillar of fire and cloud of light.
(v. 1) Rephidim: For three months (Ex. 19:1), God led his people from Egypt south into the Sinai Peninsula (Wilderness of Sin). Eventually, He led them to Rephidim, less than a day’s journey from Mount Sinai. Despite their expectations, the people did not find water there. As we often do when our expectations are not met, the Israelites found someone to blame-Moses.
Complained
A different word occurs here from the previous references to Israel’s grumbling. Instead of lun (as in 15:24; 16:2,7-8; 17:3), Moses used riyb, which is much stronger. It carries a legal connotation and means to “bring charges, protest, contend with.” Usually, it is associated with anger. “Meribah” (v. 7) comes from this same word.
The people were treating Moses as their opponent. God had repeatedly protected and provided for them, yet they continued to complain that Moses was trying to kill them (v. 3). Moses was exasperated and more than a little concerned for his life (v. 4).
(v. 2) Testing the Lord: Moses responded that God was the one in charge, not him. It was by His direction (literally, “by the mouth of Yahweh”) that they were at Rephidim. Moses also cautioned the people that their words amounted to testing the Lord. The Hebrew for “test” (nissah) is related to Massah in verse 7.
The Lord tests His people to train them in godliness (see 20:20; Deut. 8:16; Pss. 26:2; 66:10). However, testing God usually means to doubt His faithfulness or to defy His authority. It may involve trying to manipulate God into meeting our demands by proving Himself (as in, “If you really loved me, you’d do this for me”).
(v. 4) Stone me: Apparently, Moses’s faith cracked under the strain (Ps. 106:32-33). What should I do with these people? sounds like he was taking on more responsibility than God gave him. Of course, the simple answer is, Do whatever God tells you.
Apparently, Moses also forgot the assurance God provided from the burning bush. There, God had guaranteed His presence with Moses at every turn (Ex. 3:12a). This meant Moses’s life was in the Lord’s hands, and he would successfully complete the task the Lord had given him. God also gave Moses a sign (3:12b). He would personally bring Israel to Mount Sinai.
(v. 6) The rock at Horeb: God’s only response to Israel’s insolence was to provide water and to remind them that Moses was His servant. God stood with Moses as his staff hit the rock. Just as Jesus identified with the manna, the bread of life (John 6:35), Paul identified Christ as “the spiritual rock,” who repeatedly satisfied Israel’s thirst (1 Cor. 10:4). Jesus continues to furnish “streams of living water” for His people (John 7:38).
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 63 of the Personal Study Guide:
Using Pack Item 13 (Handout: God in the Wilderness), call for volunteers to relate how each summary statement is reflected in today’s passage.
Encourage adults to reflect on the first set of questions on page 63 of the PSG. Facilitate a conversation about how tolerant God is with our complaints and grumbling, what circumstances cause us to complain to Him more, and how we can replace our complaining with a spirit of gratitude and thanks.
Encourage adults to look for opportunities to be God’s hands and feet in meeting the needs of others. Call for a volunteer to voice that desire in a closing prayer.
Reinforce the session this week by sending an email or text to each person in the group, encouraging them to look for opportunities to trust God to provide during their difficult circumstances. Suggest that they write this session’s memory verse (Ex. 16:12) on a card and place it where they will see it during the week. Challenge them to thank God for His provision and to seek forgiveness for their complaints every time they see the card.
God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. (See Psalm 23:1; Matthew 6:25-34.)
Use a concordance and/or Bible dictionary to better understand a passage.
Read the article on manna in a Bible dictionary. Use a concordance to locate other biblical references to manna. Focus on John 6:30-35. How did the manna in the wilderness point to Jesus?