Êxodo 16
Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
Êxodo 16
Cole - Although grumbling is usually against some individual or especially against the leaders, it really is against the Lord (Exod. 16:2, 7, 8), who hears it all (four times: Exod. 16:7, 8, 9, 12). Of course, there is a proper way to bring legitimate concerns to church leaders. We’re not perfect leaders and this isn’t a perfect church, so if there is a problem, we need to know about it. But grumblers, as I said, reveal the state of their hearts. They aren’t looking for solutions; they’re just venting. In Exodus 15, their complaint was bitter water. God met that need. In chapter 16, it’s no food. The Lord rained bread from heaven. In chapter 17, it will again be no water. The Lord provides water from the rock. But the people kept on grumbling. So if you’re tempted to grumble, check your heart and be on guard because it spreads and contaminates many. Rod Mattoon - At the root of their murmuring was a distrust and unsubmissiveness toward God's goodness, power, and will. The root meaning of the Hebrew word translated "murmur" in our text is "to show oneself obstinate, to be stubborn." Murmuring is, therefore, a symptom of rebellion. Numbers 14 records a serious murmuring problem which brings out the rebellion aspect of murmuring very clearly. There the Israelites rebelled against the command to enter Canaan and wanted instead someone to replace Moses to lead them back to Egypt. Numbers 14:2-4-=. Here in Exodus 16, their complaint against Moses was a camouflaged complaint against the Lord Himself. (Ex 16:8) Grumbled (murmured) (03885)(lun) is a word that has two meaning that are very different. In Exodus 17:3 the meaning is clearly grumble or murmur (see below for the 15 uses of lun translated with the sense of grumble in NAS). One use means to lodge, spend the night, abide (see those uses here). We are concerned with the meaning to grumble or murmur. Lûn in the Niphal, the verb carries the thought of being "obstinate" or "stubborn," from the idea of "remaining" or "persisting" in a negative sense. Hence, there is a resultant definition of "grumbling" or "complaining." The Septuagint translates lun with the verb gogguzo which means to murmur, mutter, make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath. Gogguzo is an onomatopoeic word derived from the sound made when murmuring or muttering in a low and indistinct voice with the idea of complaint. All uses of lun - Ex 15:24; Ex 16:2; Ex 16:7; Ex 16:8; Ex 17:3; Nu 14:2; Nu 14:27; Nu 14:29; Nu 14:36; Nu 16:11; Nu 16:41; Nu 17:5; Jos. 9:18; Ps. 59:15 The NT commands believers NOT to grumble...this is IM-possible in our strength, but it HIM-possible as we learn to rely on the Spirit (filled with the Spirit - Eph 5:18+).... So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God Who (THE HOLY SPIRIT) is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 14 Do (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (Phil 2:12-15+) Comment - If there was ever a command that was impossible to keep it is to not grumble about anything! And it is in the present tense calling for this to be our continual practice! Here is where context is critical for accurate interpretation (and in this case GREAT RELIEF). Remembering that God's commandments always include His enablements, we look back at Phil 2:13NLT+ and in that paraphrase see that it is God in us (the Spirit of Christ) continually giving us (energizing) the DESIRE and the POWER to do what pleases Him! Related Resources: Easton's Bible Dictionary Murmuring Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Murmur, Murmuring Murmuring King James Dictionary Murmuring Murmur Vines' Expository Dictionary Murmur, Murmuring Murmurer Webster Dictionary Murmur International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Murmur; Murmurings McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Murmuring Murmuring (2) Rod Mattoon's insights on Murmuring - 1. At the root of their murmuring was a distrust and unsubmissiveness toward God's goodness, power, and will. 2. Murmuring indicated they were forgetful and ungrateful for God's previous blessings and provision. 3. Murmuring expresses itself in false accusations and undeserved reproaches. 4. Murmuring sidetracks us from effective solutions to our problems. Antonyms for grumbling abiding, enduring, forbearing, patient, tolerant , accepting, forgiving, long-suffering, resigned, uncomplaining, willing Antidotes for Grumbling 1. List daily the ways that God benefits your life. Gratefulness involves daily alertness. 2. Recall God's help in a crisis. 3. Turn your gratefulness into a song. Write out a document of gratefulness to Him and make it your "life song" to the Lord. 4. Give thanks even for the hardships of life. 5. Thank God when you are not thankful. Thanking Him is an act of obedience to His will. (See 1 Th 5:18+) 6. Tell the Lord how He has benefited you. Quotations on Murmuring - The frog and the murmurer, both of them are bred of the mud. - Thomas Adams A grouch always looks as if he were weaned on a pickle. - Anon. Discontent generally arises more from our desires than from our wants. - Anon. It is better to be mute than to murmur. - Thomas Brooks Murmuring is a time-destroying sin. - Thomas Brooks Murmuring uncrowns a man. - Thomas Brooks Oh, that we could but convince men that a murmuring spirit is a greater evil than any affliction, whatever the affliction! - Jeremiah Burroughs Complain to God you may, but to complain of God, you may not. - John Flavel If we growl all day we shouldn’t be surprised if we end up dog tired at night! - Vance Havner One hour in heaven and we shall be ashamed we ever grumbled. - Vance Havner Those who complain most are most to be complained of. - Matthew Henry Complaining about our lot in life might seem quite innocent in itself, but God takes it personally. - Erwin W. Lutzer God’s people may groan, but they may not grumble. - C. H. Spurgeon Ten minutes’ praying is better than a year’s murmuring. - C. H. Spurgeon The murmurer is his own martyr. - George Swinnock Complain without cause and you will have cause to complain. - Thomas Taylor Murmuring often ends in cursing. - Thomas Watson Our murmuring is the devil’s music. - Thomas Watson (Source - Complete Gathered Gold) Murmuring Forbidden 1 Corinthians 10:10 ; Philippians 2:14 AGAINST God Proverbs 19:3 Exodus 5:22,23 ; 16:8,12 ; Numbers 14:26-37 ; 17:10,11 ; Job 15:11-13 ; 33:12,13 ; 34:37 ; Psalm 37:1 ; 44:9-26 ; 73:13-22 ; 78:17-21 ; Proverbs 19:3 ; Ecclesiastes 7:10 ; Jeremiah 15:10 ; Lamentations 3:39 ; Malachi 3:14 ; Luke 10:40 ; Romans 9:19,20 ; 1 Corinthians 10:10 ; Philippians 2:14 ; James 5:9 ; Jude 1:16 The sovereignty of God Romans 9:19,20 Christ Luke 5:30 ; 15:2 ; 19:7 ; John 6:41-43,52 Ministers of God Exodus 17:3 ; Numbers 16:41 Disciples of Christ Matthew 7:2 ; Luke 5:30 ; 6:2 Provokes God Numbers 14:2,11 ; Deuteronomy 9:8,22 Saints cease from Isaiah 29:23,24 Guilt of encouraging others in Numbers 13:31-33 ; 14:36,37 Punishment of Numbers 11:1 ; 14:27-29 ; 16:45,46 ; Psalm 106:25,26 Illustrated Matthew 20:11 ; Luke 15:29,30 Exemplified Cain Genesis 4:13,14 Moses Exodus 5:22,23 Israelites Exodus 14:11 ; 15:24 ; 16:2 ; 17:2,3 ; Numbers 11:1-4 ; 21:5 Aaron, &c Numbers 12:1,2,8 Korah &c Numbers 16:3 Elijah 1 Kings 19:4 Jonah Jonah 4:8,9 Disciples Mark 14:4,5 ; John 6:61 Pharisees Luke 15:2 ; 19:7 Exodus 16:2-3 Selective Memories by Dr. Woodrow Kroll Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, "Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Selective Memories - It's amazing how we are able to pick and choose the things we want to remember. A young boy was confronted by his father about the poor grades on his report card. "It's not my fault, Dad. I can't remember anything." "Well," his father assured him, "you're not going to any more baseball games until you get your grades up. And to begin with, forget tonight's game." "Wait a minute," said the boy. "You can't do that to me. The Braves are in town and Maddux is pitching. He was 15-11 last year with a 2.72 earned run average. He won four consecutive Cy Young awards and seven straight Gold Gloves. He led the league in ERA for three straight seasons, has been on five All-Star teams, and has won at least 15 games each of the last nine years." Israel had the same problem--a selective memory. After only a short time in the wilderness, they had forgotten how they were required to make bricks without straw, how they had been beaten by merciless taskmasters and how the midwives were commanded to kill the infant Israelite boys to appease Pharaoh's fears. Instead, they remembered only the pots of meat and the loaves of bread they had enjoyed. Satan may be tempting you in the same way. Maybe this new life is more difficult than you expected and your days as an unbeliever, as your now remember them, are looking pretty good after all. Perhaps the devil is reminding you of the sinful things you enjoyed in your old life and blocking the memories of despair and emptiness you felt as an unbeliever. Ask God to cut through these selective memories and help you recall the reality of the past. Don't be fooled by Satan's selective memories. The memories Satan selects never reflect the way it really was. Exodus 15:22-16:5 THE SPORT OF SCAPEGOATING "Then the whole congregation... murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness" (Exodus 16:2). Fred Grimm, a Christian probation officer, told of a father who made a scapegoat of his son by blaming him for family conflicts. Although the man and his wife had been fighting for years, the father told his son, "It's always because of your big mouth that your mother and I fight. If I leave you and your mother, it will be your fault." The youngster's problems were compounded when the father died suddenly from a stroke and the mother accused her son of having caused his father's death. The boy was devastated. Blaming others for our problems is not only unjust and cruel, it's displeasing to the Lord. The children of Israel did this in the wilderness shortly after their deliverance from the land of Egypt. When food and water were short, they panicked and blamed Moses and Aaron for getting them into their predicament. They made scapegoats of their leaders. Yet God mercifully overlooked their lack of faith and unfair criticism of His servants in those two incidents. Later, though, when the Israelites committed the same sin again, He judged them severely (see Numbers 16:1ff). Scapegoating can do great damage. Instead of looking for someone else to blame for our problems, we need to analyze our situation, acknowledge our failures, and ask God for forgiveness and help.—H. V. Lugt We won't get closer to God by passing judgment on others. Exodus 16:1-8 On Listening By Julie Ackerman Link Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. —Ecclesiastes 5:2 God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason,” the saying goes. The ability to listen is an essential life skill. Counselors tell us to listen to each other. Spiritual leaders tell us to listen to God. But hardly anyone says, “Listen to yourself.” I’m not suggesting that we have an inner voice that always knows the right thing to say. Nor am I saying we should listen to ourselves instead of to God and others. I’m suggesting that we need to listen to ourselves in order to learn how others might be receiving our words. The Israelites could have used this advice when Moses was leading them out of Egypt. Within days of their miraculous deliverance, they were complaining (Ex. 16:2). Although their need for food was legitimate, their way of expressing the need was not (v.3). Whenever we speak out of fear, anger, ignorance, or pride—even if what we say is true—those who listen will hear more than our words. They hear emotion. But they don’t know whether the emotion comes from love and concern or disdain and disrespect, so we risk misunderstanding. If we listen to ourselves before speaking out loud, we can judge our hearts before our careless words harm others or sadden our God. G Campbell
Êxodo 16
Cole - Grumblers often exaggerate how good life was when they were enslaved to sin and don’t see the eternal benefits of trusting in God. The grumblers compared their lack of food in the wilderness with the pots of meat and bread to the full that they enjoyed in Egypt (Exod. 16:3). Hello? They were slaves in Egypt, but they make it sound as if things were great back then! But life wasn’t as idyllic as they’re making it sound! But, let’s assume for the sake of argument, that life was smoother when you were an unbeliever. Maybe your job was going well, but when you became a Christian, you got fired and now are in a crummy job or no job. Maybe your romantic life was satisfying, but now you can’t find a suitable Christian girl or guy to date. Maybe your relationship with your parents was okay back then, but now it’s strained. You feel like life was a lot better back then and you’re tempted to “go back to Egypt”! Does the Bible address that situation? Read Psalm 73! The psalmist was despairing as he saw the prosperity of the wicked, while he was encountering new problems every day since he had begun to follow the Lord. He says that he almost stumbled, until he went into the sanctuary of God. There he gained the eternal focus: He realized that God would cast down the wicked to destruction, but He would receive the psalmist into eternal glory. So if you’re grumbling and tempted to go back to the world, get to “the sanctuary.” Get alone with God and His Word and regain the eternal perspective! God leads you into places of need so that you will look to Him to meet those needs.
Êxodo 16
Cole - The manna didn’t just float down into everyone’s mouth. It was free and abundant, but the people had to get up and gather it every day before the sun melted it. It was a test of faith to see whether they would obey God or not (Exod. 16:4, 19-20, 27-29). They were to gather about two liters each every morning, but on Friday morning, they were to gather four liters so that they didn’t need to gather any on the Sabbath. This wasn’t the full instruction regarding the Sabbath that would follow later, but it was a test to see if Israel would obey God’s command and trust Him to provide each day and twice as much for the Sabbath. The Sabbath was God’s gift so that the people could rest that day (Exod. 16:29-30). And the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day - A days portion is simply the amount a family would need every day. This instruction continues in Ex 16:5 that the amount shall be twice as much as on the other 5 days. That - Introduces a purpose. In this case the instructions serve as a test. “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that (PURPOSE) (1) He might humble you and that (2) He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Comment - Ultimately it is to teach God’s people to depend upon him. I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction (My Torah) - What is the test? The giving of the manna (1) test their obedience God's clear instructions and (2) a test of their faith regarding whether they believe him and do not gather too much manna or attempt to store it for the next day. Walk in My instruction simply describes obedience. Yahweh is allowing to the test to see if Israel will obey Him. He knows of course, but He allows this to expose one's heart. Note that the idea of test is used in each grumbling scenario, the first two of God testing the people (Ex 15:25; Ex 16:4) and the last two of the people testing God (Ex. 17:2; Ex 17:7). In Ex 16:27 we see that some of the people failed the test because "It came about on the seventh day (WHEN THEY WERE TO REST IN HIS SUFFICIENT SUPPLY FROM THE 6TH DAY) that some of the people went out to gather, but they found none." Tim Keller commenting on Ex 16:37 asks " What kind of test is this? He gives them a test, they fail the test, and he patiently, lovingly, patiently, lovingly, over and over and over again throughout their entire 40 years, continues to say, “Let’s try tomorrow again (FOR 40 YEARS)."
Êxodo 16
Cole - Jesus was not talking about eating the communion bread, but rather about personally trusting in Him and His death on the cross for eternal life. And He was pointing to the truth that as we truly feed on Him for all of our daily needs, we enjoy sweet, nourishing bread even as we walk in a barren wilderness. Do you know the satisfaction of daily feeding on Jesus as your bread of life? Thus, God leads you into places of need so that you will look to Him to meet those needs. When you look to the Lord, you see His grace and glory to be your sufficiency. The manna points to Jesus Christ, the true bread of life that comes down out of heaven to satisfy your soul.
Êxodo 16
Cole - God’s glory was a revelation of His greatness and power. Whenever in the Bible people got a glimpse of God’s glory, the uniform response was fear. When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, “they fell face down to the ground and were terrified” (Mt. 17:6). When John later saw the risen Savior in His glory, he reports (Rev. 1:17), “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.” In his Gospel, he wrote (John 1:14), “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus reveals God’s grace and glory to us. When we see all that He is for us, it’s enough. We have in Him all that we need. Dave Branon writes "I've had the privilege of viewing some glorious sights in my life. I've seen an awe-inspiring nighttime launch of the space shuttle, the majesty of Mount Fuji in Japan, the sparkling beauty of ocean sea life off the coast of the Philippine Islands, the architectural wonders of New York City, and the gleaming midsummer spectacle of a night baseball game in a major league stadium. But nothing I've ever seen comes close to what some Old Testament people saw. Moses, the people he led, Ezekiel, and others witnessed the most breathtaking sight of all time. They had a glimpse of the glory of God—a visible manifestation of the Lord's invisible being and character. Moses experienced it on Mount Sinai, and his face shone (Exodus 34:29). The Israelites saw it in the cloud, before God provided them with quail (Ex 16:10). Ezekiel saw God's glory return to the temple, and he fell to the ground (Ezekiel 43:1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Someday we who have been redeemed by Jesus will experience that inspiring sight. God's glory will shine in the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10, 11). And we will see our risen and glorified Savior, the Lord Jesus (1 John 3:2). This hope encourages us as Christians to keep going. For nothing in this world compares to seeing God's glory! The glory of God In the face of His Son To us who behold Him Is heaven begun. —Hess Glenn Spencer on the "Clothing" of Yahweh - We see Him descending clothed with a cloud. (Rev 10:1+ ED: But not everyone agrees this is Christ) The cloud was of old, the garment of Divine presence. We are told of God that, He maketh the clouds His chariot. (Psalm 104:3) The Lord led Israel by day in a pillar of a cloud. (Exodus 13:21) When Israel murmured, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. (Exodus 16:10) At Sinai He descended in a thick cloud. (Exodus 19:9,16) When the tables of stone were renewed to replace the broken ones, The LORD descended in the cloud. (Exodus 34:4-5) When the tabernacle was completed, ...a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34) This cloud was called the cloud of the LORD. (Exodus 40:38) God had said, I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:2) On the Mount Of Transfiguration A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. (Matthew 17:5) When Christ ascended into Heaven, a cloud received Him. (Acts 1:9) Of His second coming He said, They shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27) Behold, He cometh with clouds. (Revelation 1:7) God veils Himself in the clouds when appearing before sinful men who cannot, in their present condition, look upon His unveiled glory. Adrian Rogers - The last time they saw Him, they drove a huge spike through His feet. When He comes again, His feet will be like molten brass going forth in judgment (see Revelation 1:15). The last time they saw Him, they put a spear in His side and out came water and blood. When He comes again in glory, He will have a sharp two-edged sword in His mouth with which He will strike the nations (see Revelation 19:15). When they crucified Him, His face was so battered and bruised that people couldn't tell whether they were seeing the face of a man or of an animal. When He comes again in glory, His face will be brighter than the glory of the noonday sun. Humanity has a date with Jesus. And that humanity will wail when they see Him. “For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God” (Romans 14:11). Jesus Christ is coming again. Streams in the Desert - “They looked … and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” (Exod. 16:10) GET into the habit of looking for the silver lining of the cloud and when you have found it, continue to look at it, rather than at the leaden gray in the middle. Do not yield to discouragement no matter how sorely pressed or beset you may be. A discouraged soul is helpless. He can neither resist the wiles of the enemy himself, while in this state, nor can he prevail in prayer for others. Flee from every symptom of this deadly foe as you would flee from a viper. And be not slow in turning your back on it, unless you want to bite the dust in bitter defeat. Search out God’s promises and say aloud of each one: “This promise is mine.” If you still experience a feeling of doubt and discouragement, pour out your heart to God and ask Him to rebuke the adversary who is so mercilessly nagging you. The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of distrust and discouragement, the blessed Holy Spirit will quicken your faith and inbreathe Divine strength into your soul. At first you may not be conscious of this, still as you resolutely and uncompromisingly “snub” every tendency toward doubt and depression that assails you, you will soon be made aware that the powers of darkness are falling back. Oh, if our eyes could only behold the solid phalanx of strength, of power, that is ever behind every turning away from the hosts of darkness, God-ward, what scant heed would be given to the effort of the wily foe to distress, depress, discourage us! All the marvelous attributes of the Godhead are on the side of the weakest believer, who in the name of Christ, and in simple, childlike trust, yields himself to God and turns to Him for help and guidance.—Selected. On a day in the autumn, I saw a prairie eagle mortally wounded by a rifle shot. His eye still gleamed like a circle of light. Then he slowly turned his head, and gave one more searching and longing look at the sky. He had often swept those starry spaces with his wonderful wings. The beautiful sky was the home of his heart. It was the eagle’s domain. A thousand times he had exploited there his splendid strength. In those far away heights he had played with the lightnings, and raced with the winds, and now, so far away from home, the eagle lay dying, done to the death, because for once he forgot and flew too low. The soul is that eagle. This is not its home. It must not lose the skyward look. We must keep faith, we must keep hope, we must keep courage, we must keep Christ. We would better creep away from the battlefield at once if we are not going to be brave. There is no time for the soul to stampede. Keep the skyward look, my soul; keep the skyward look! “Keep looking up— The waves that roar around thy feet, Jehovah-Jireh will defeat When looking up. “Keep looking up— Though darkness seems to wrap thy soul; The Light of Light shall fill thy soul When looking up. “Keep looking up— When worn, distracted with the fight; Your Captain gives you conquering might When you look up.” We can never see the sun rise by looking into the west.—Japanese Proverb. Exodus 16:11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying- "It’s difficult to know if everyone heard the LORD speak to Moses, or if Moses alone heard this. Certainly, everyone knew God spoke to Moses because of the display of glory (cf Ex 34:29, 30, 35), but we don’t know if they could hear what the LORD said to him." (Guzik) Exodus 16:11-36 Feeding on God's Provisions by Theodore Epp As the manna fell in the wilderness for the Israelites, each person was to gather what he needed. The Lord instructed, "Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents" (Ex. 16:16). The Bible records that the Israelites "gathered every man according to his eating" (v. 18). From these statements we see that there was personal responsibility to gather the food that each one needed; some gathered more, others gathered less, but each was to gather according to his particular need. Think of the parallel this has for our feeding on God's Word. Each one must gather spiritual food for himself. A believer cannot live on another person's experience. Testimonies are interesting, and it is wonderful to have a pastor who preaches good messages, but a believer cannot live on those things alone. Each Christian must gather his own spiritual food according to his own need. If each one is feeding himself individually, then the testimonies and messages of others will be of encouragement to him, and he will be of much encouragement to others. How much appetite for the Word of God do you have? Do you come to the Word with a hungry heart to learn all you can in order that you might know God better? The more we learn about Him, the more we will want to learn. "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). Exodus 16:12 "I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" Currid - I have heard the grumblings of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat and in the morning you shall be satisfied with bread.’ And you will know that I am Yahweh your God.’ NET Exodus 16:12 "I have heard the murmurings of the Israelites. Tell them, 'During the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be satisfied with bread, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.'" NLT Exodus 16:12 "I have heard the Israelites' complaints. Now tell them, 'In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'" ESV Exodus 16:12 "I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" I have - Ex 16:8 At twilight - Ex 16:6 in the morning - Ex 16:7 you shall know - Ex 4:5 6:7 7:17 Jer 31:24 Eze 34:30 39:22 Joe 3:17 Zec 13:9 Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AMAZING GRACE TO AUDACIOUS GRUMBLERS I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel - This is the second time we see that Yahweh has heard their grumblings (plural)! (Ex 16:8 was the first time). One wishes this had read Yahweh had heard the prayers of the sons of Israel! THOUGHT - It is easy to read pass this passage and miss something very significant. Let me ask you -- did the children of Israel ASK Jehovah for food or did they GRUMBLE about no food? That's a rhetorical question of course! Here's the point -- El Elyon, Most High God Who is Sovereign Over All is condescending to meet the needs of this grumbling group without them even asking Him which shows that He is dealing with them on the basis of pure amazing grace! This is but a slight foreshadowing of His grace which is freely given to undeserving, ungodly enemies (Ro 4:5; Ro 5:6-10; 1 Ti 1:13-15). Indeed He even provides grace upon grace (Jn 1:16+) in Christ Jesus! How many times have we acted like the sons of Israel, grumbling or complaining, and despite our sour attitude, He pours out grace upon grace in our lives? Probably more times than any of us would want to admit! When we get to heaven one thing we might be shown is all the times in our lives as believers He poured out grace and we were not even aware of it! God of all grace we stop now to express our heartfelt gratitude at Your amazing grace poured out by Your Spirit of grace through the all Sufficient Source of Christ Jesus in Whose Name we pray. Amen.
Êxodo 16
Cole - Exodus 16 repeatedly emphasizes the sufficiency of God’s provision for these needy, grumbling people. He would rain bread from heaven on them (Ex 16:4). He would give them “bread to the full” (Ex 16:8). They would be “filled with bread” (Ex 16:12). They were to gather “every man as much as he should eat” (Ex 16:16). “Every man gathered as much as he should eat” (Ex 16:18). Morning by morning every man gathered “as much as he should eat” (Ex 16:21). Apparently, the manna was nutritionally sufficient, like breast milk for an infant. The quail only came twice, but the manna met their nutritional needs for 40 years (Ex 16:35). This repeated emphasis shows that God is not stingy with His resources. He “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20)! He “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3)! “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). Filled (satisfied) (07646)(saba) means to be sated (implying sufficiency), filled and so to be satisfied. The first use of this word in Scripture is used in Ex 16:8 "and bread to the full in the morning." God would not skimp on setting the table. It is ironic that the Israelites used the related word (soba derived from saba) in Ex 16:3 describing how they "ate bread to the full." And you shall know that I am the LORD your God - In context this "knowing" is intellectual, not intimate spiritual knowledge as when one is in covenant union with Yahweh like Abraham (Ge 15:6+). Paul tells us clearly that "with most (in truth with all except Joshua and Caleb!) of them God was (absolutely) not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. " (1 Cor 10:5) How would Israel know Yahweh as their God? By His gracious provision of meat in the evening and bread in the morning. These supernatural events would be signs pointing to the goodness and grace of Yahweh to provide food to grumblers! This is not only great grace (unmerited favor) but also surpassing mercy (not giving them what they deserved - death!), for in other situations grumbling so angered Yahweh that He took the life of the grumblers! (1 Cor 10:10 - cf Nu 16:41 and Nu 16:45-48) May none of us every underestimate the negative impact of grumbling! In Ex 16:6-7 it says "At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD." NET Note on shall know - This verse supports the view taken in chap. 6 concerning the verb "to know." Surely the Israelites by now knew that Yahweh was their God. Yes, they did. But they had not experienced what that meant; they had not received the fulfillment of the promises. Exodus 16:13 So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. quails - Nu 11:31-33 Ps 78:27-31 Ps 105:40 the dew - Nu 11:9 Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries QUAIL FOR SUPPER! So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp - God provided Israel with plenty of meat in the wilderness. This was a significant display of the mercy of God. This provision of quail was clearly in the LORD's will. The text is not clear but it appears that quail were not daily on the divine menu as was bread. There is another quail episode in the book of Numbers 11 which is quoted below, but this episode occurred at a later time and with different results, specifically calling down the anger of the LORD! The provision of quail as a result of the grumbling in Exodus 16 did not anger the LORD as in Numbers 11. One other point is that this provision of quail covering the camp was supernatural. Quail (Exodus 16:13) were natural enough, but the timing and quantity of their coming constituted a divine providential miracle, specifically the provision of sufficient quail to feed 2 million mouths! Quail are mentioned only 4 times in 4 verses (Ex. 16:13; Nu 11:31; Nu 11:32; Ps. 105:40. Ps 78:27 does not use the word quail but clearly is a reference to quail related to the event in Numbers 11, not the event here in Exodus 16. Let's look at a comparison of the QUAIL STORIES in Exodus 16 and Numbers 11 - Careful observation of the passages in context shows that the quail and manna in Exodus 16 are sustenance promised by Yahweh (to grumblers), whereas in Numbers, the quail are punishment for the Israelite’s continued grumbling about having only manna to eat. So for context we see in Numbers 11:4-6 that "The rabble (MIXTURE OF NON-JEWS, POSSIBLY SOME EGYPTIANS) who were among them had greedy desires (taavah = SAME WORD FOR "DELIGHT" IN Ge 3:6+!); and also the sons of Israel wept again (INDICATING THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY WEPT) and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5“ We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.” (Numbers 11:4-6) Moses was to “Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat and you shall eat." 19‘ You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, 20 but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’” (Numbers 11:18-20) Clearly Israel was grumbling and in their heart going back to Egypt and failing to trust the goodness and grace of God to provide for their physical nourishment. And so we see the result it that God became angry with their grumbling this time and killed many Israelites. Now there went forth a wind from the LORD and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground. 32 The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. 33 While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very severe plague. 34So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy. (Numbers 11:31-34) Psalm 78 serves as a commentary not on the Exodus 16 story but the story in Numbers 11 Psalm 78:27-31 When He rained meat (QUAIL) upon them like the dust, Even winged fowl (QUAIL) like the sand of the seas, 28 Then He let them fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their dwellings. 29 So they ate and were well filled, And their desire (SAME WORD USED IN Nu 11:4 of their "greedy desires.") He gave to them. 30 Before they had satisfied their desire (taavah - in this context greedy desire), While their food was in their mouths, 31 The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel. Tyndale Bible Commentary has a helpful note on quail in Numbers 11 - A prominent theme in the travel sections of Exodus and Numbers is the supply of food and water and the people’s discontent with God’s provision (Ex 15:22ff <> Nu 20). It is again noticeable how the Red Sea to Sinai (EXODUS 16) and the Sinai to Kadesh (NUMBERS) travelogues run in parallel here. A short murmuring tradition (Ex. 15:23-26 <> Nu 11:1-3) is in both cases followed by a detailed account of the manna and quails (Ex 16 <> Nu 11:4-35). Both Exodus and Numbers date the arrival of the quails in the second month of the Hebrew year (Ex 16:1; Nu 10:11), which would coincide with the northward migration of the quails across the Sinai peninsula. (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – Numbers) Criswell - In the spring (March-April) quail regularly migrate across the Sinai peninsula in large numbers. God used these birds to feed the people. The quail, however, were available only at certain times, while the manna (man hu, Heb., lit. "What is it?") continued every day (Ex 16:15). And in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp - Each morning the Jews participated in a miracle as they emerged from their tents to find all the nourishment they needed waiting on the dew. Ligon Duncan writes that "The bread is described, and there is no naturalistic explanation for this what so ever. There have been scholars over the years that have come up with the strangest explanations of how this was some sort of a sap from a bush that is found. There is no way any of that supplies the qualities and the characteristics that are described about this particular bread in the book of Moses." Exodus 16:13–36 The Sabbath was a weekly tutorial for anxious people. Imagine that you are self-employed with very tight financial margins. Miss a day’s work and your competitors get the upper hand. Miss a day’s pay and you wonder if you will be able to buy groceries. Time is money. Now consider an agrarian economy. Here time might mean survival. Delay planting and you might miss the rain. Take a day off in the midst of harvest and your produce might overripen or even rot. With these risks in mind, the Sabbath was a big deal. It was a test. God was saying through it, “I am the Creator God who will care for your needs. Embedded in the rhythm of your week will be an opportunity to rest. You will do this because I rested on the Sabbath, and you will do it because I continue to be at work on your behalf on the Sabbath.” Just when you think you are getting the knack of the manna and are not worrying about tomorrow, you are told to trust your heavenly Father for today and tomorrow. Once again, we can’t help but be astonished at God’s strategy. Worry and fear are about danger, perceived needs, and being out of control. By incorporating the Sabbath into the normal rhythms of life he gives us weekly opportunities to say, “You, God, are in control, and I will practice trusting you by honoring your Sabbath and resting today.” Edward T. Welch Exodus 16:14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. the dew - Nu 11:7-9 De 8:3 Ne 9:15 Ps 78:24 105:40 fine as the frost on the ground - Ps 147:16 Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BREAD FOR BREAKFAST When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. - Exodus 16:31 further describes the bread from heaven as like coriander seed (about the size of a sesame seed), and sweet like honey. Numbers 11:7 says it was the color of bdellium (a pearl-like color). It was either baked or boiled (Exodus 16:23).
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Cole - Moses tells us what the manna tasted like (Exod.16:31): “wafers with honey.” That description satisfies our curiosity, but also it teaches us an important lesson: Psalm 19:10 says that God’s Word is “sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” Psalm 34:8 puts it, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Or Ps. 119:103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Moses later explained (Deut. 8:3), “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” He went on to promise them that the Lord would bring them into a good land of abundance, where they would eat and be satisfied. God’s word is sufficient and satisfying for life and godliness! So the manna teaches us that we are to look to the Lord to satisfy our every need and that when we taste of His grace and glory, we are satisfied with His goodness. From D L Moody's library - How could a soul which has tried again to satisfy itself with Egypt’s food, find manna the same thing after restoration? The pure and sweet manna which has sustained the virgin soul which has unwaveringly followed the guiding pillar, must for the restored soul, have its color changed into that of tried gold, and its taste to that of healing oil. Nothing else would supply its need now. Question: "What was manna?" Answer: During the forty years between the time the Israelites left Egypt and entered the Promised Land, they faced harsh conditions, including a scarcity of food. To alleviate this problem, God miraculously provided the Israelites with “bread from heaven,” called “manna.” The manna appeared each morning, and the Israelites were given specific instructions on gathering it (see Exodus chapter 16). What was manna? Interestingly, the Israelites asked the very same question: “When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat’” (Exodus 16:15). The Hebrew word translated “manna” literally means “what is it?” The Bible nowhere discusses the chemical composition of manna. All we are told is that “it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). Numbers 11:7 states that manna’s appearance was like “bdellium” or “resin.” Psalm 78:24 refers to manna as “grain from heaven,” and the next verse calls it “bread of angels.” So, manna seems to have been literal bread that God caused to miraculously appear each morning during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. The miracle of manna ceased shortly after the Israelites entered the Promised Land (Joshua 5:12). Far more important than manna’s physical qualities is what manna foreshadowed. Manna is a type, or foreshadowing, of Jesus. After Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000, they wanted Him to “give us this bread always” (John 6:34). Jesus tried to get their attention off of physical bread and onto the true “bread of life.” “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. . . . I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:32-35). Sadly, the people could not get their minds off of physical bread long enough to understand the spiritual truth Jesus was declaring (John 6:36-59). They were more concerned with the condition of their stomachs than the condition of their souls. Just as God provided manna to the Israelites to save them from starvation, He has provided Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls. The literal manna temporarily saved the Israelites from physical death. The spiritual manna saves us from eternal death. “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die” (John 6:49-50). Exodus 16:32 Then Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded, 'Let an omerful of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'" NET Exodus 16:32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Fill an omer with it to be kept for generations to come, so that they may see the food I fed you in the desert when I brought you out from the land of Egypt.'" NLT Exodus 16:32 Then Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt." ESV Exodus 16:32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'" Ps 103:1,2 Ps 105:5 Ps 111:4,5 Lu 22:19 Heb 2:1 Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FOOD FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS Then Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded, 'Let an omerful of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.' - What is the purpose? Clearly this would serve as reminder to Israel that Jehovah is their trustworthy provided. There was not one night in 40 years that the Hebrews went to bed and had to worry about having food the next morning! Is this not a miracle also? This omerful would not rot or grow foul, because it was ordained by God to have a holy purpose. What was the purpose? To see that Yahweh provided for 40 years! If He could provide for 2 million people for 40 years, how much more can He take care of His own today and meet their needs (not their greeds)? John