Exodus

Exodus 16: God gives bread and rest

Begin in prayer

Before we see bread lying on the wilderness ground, let us bring our daily needs before its Giver. Ask God to replace murmuring with trust and to show us the lasting life found in Jesus.

I am Yahweh, your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 81:10

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to receive our daily bread with thanks. Show us Jesus, the true bread from heaven, and turn our hearts to Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

In the wilderness of Sin, Israel murmurs about hunger and remembers its food in Egypt. God promises meat at evening and bread in the morning, and His glory appears in the cloud. Quail cover the camp, and the people find small white food on the ground after the dew lifts. Moses tells them how much to gather, but some keep it overnight and find it spoiled. A double portion on the sixth day keeps for the Sabbath, while those who gather on the seventh find nothing. God commands a jar to be preserved so later generations may see the bread He gave them for forty years.

As you read Exodus 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God feeds His people and teaches them to trust and obey His word.

A month after leaving Egypt, Israel remembers the meat pots while accusing Moses and Aaron of bringing death by hunger. God hears their murmuring as directed against Himself. Yet His answer provides food and a test, teaching daily dependence through the way it must be gathered. An omer is the measured portion for one person, so each tent receives what its people need. Hoarded manna becomes foul, exposing the failure to trust tomorrow to God. The sixth day’s double portion keeps without spoiling, so the Sabbath becomes a gift of rest under His word. Going out on the seventh day finds no bread and brings God’s rebuke. A jar kept for future generations bears witness that He fed His people for forty years. Jesus identifies Himself as the true bread from heaven who gives lasting life (John 6 verses 32 to 35).

How does Exodus 16 show us that God feeds His people and teaches them to trust and obey His word?

God feeds people who have murmured against Him.

The complaint reaches beyond Moses and Aaron to the LORD who brought Israel out. He supplies meat and bread while making His glory known. His mercy gives undeserving people reason to trust Him.

God teaches daily trust through the gathering of bread.

Everyone gathers according to the people in the tent. Keeping it against the command brings worms and a foul smell. The bread that sustains life must be received under the word of its Giver.

God supplies the rest He commands.

The sixth day’s double portion remains good through the Sabbath. No manna falls on the day of rest, and disobedient gatherers find none. Jesus is the greater gift from heaven who satisfies those who come to Him in faith.

Memorise

It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.

Exodus 16:15

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what complaint shows that I need Jesus to change my heart?

Israel asks, “What is it?” Moses answers, “It is the bread which Yahweh has given you to eat.” Hungry people receive a gift their hands could never produce. They must learn to receive it as God commands.

Jesus gives lasting life beyond the food of the wilderness (John 6 verses 32 to 35). Our sin leaves us guilty before God. At the cross He suffered for His people, bearing the judgment their sins deserved. He rose, having completed everything needed for their salvation. His offering is enough, and no religious effort can improve it.

Come hungry for the mercy only Christ supplies. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. His promise gives forgiveness and life to all who believe. The Savior who gives Himself is a greater gift than all the bread a wilderness can hold.

Parent's note

Tell your children that daily bread is God’s gift and that Jesus died and rose to give lasting life to believers. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for daily provision and for the rest His word commands, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”

John 6:33

Father, thank You for feeding Israel and for every meal You give our family. Forgive our murmuring. Please bring us to repent and trust Jesus for the life food cannot give. Teach us gratitude and obedience, and help us share what You provide with people in need. Amen.