Manna and Quail Exodus 16

 

Exodus 16 – Manna and Quail

 

God had no intention of letting his people starve.  His plan was to lead them through the wilderness, and He promised to take care of them.  God has heard our murmurings and we see the glory of God.  Every time Israel murmured, the glory of God appeared.  This tells us that God does not like griping, complaining, fault-finding Christians.  The church is filled with complaining Christians.  If you are in a church where you must complain and gripe, get out and go somewhere else.

God not only gave the Israelites manna, but He sent quail too.  Manna was Israel’s sustenance as they journeyed through the wilderness. The manna was to be gathered every morning.  Each man was to gather it.  This was to be a personal experience.  The manna speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life. “For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world... I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:32-35. Before the Sabbath Day they were to get enough for two days. The Sabbath Day was given to Israel before the formal giving of the Law. Manna could be prepared in many ways.  They could grind it, beat it in a mortar, bake it in pans, or make a casserole.

The children of Israel began to despise God’s heavenly food and complained about eating it. They grew tired of the manna. They wanted to go back to that which they had been delivered.

There are Christians today who need to make a complete break with the old life and give up living like the world.  The Israelites needed to give up the things of Egypt to be serviceable to God and have the peace of God in their heart. 

A pot of manna was put in the ark along with Aaron’s rod, and the Ten Commandments. The manna also speaks of Christ’s death for us.  He is provided as spiritual food for us.  The children ate manna and quail for forty years until they reached the promised land, then it ceased.

Just as the Jews could not live on yesterday’s manna, so we cannot live on yesterday’s spiritual diet. Begin each day with the Lord, and He will give you what you need for facing the burdens and battles ahead.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary, NKJ Bible and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary