Slices
Prepare
What circumstances have you been in that made trusting in the Lord seem a really hard thing to do? How did things turn out?
Bible passage
Manna and quail
16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat round pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.’
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.’
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?’ 8 Moses also said, ‘You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.’
9 Then Moses told Aaron, ‘Say to the entire Israelite community, “Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.”’
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked towards the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.
11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”’
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: “Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.”’
Explore
After the refreshment of the 12 springs at Elim, the Israelites are fully engaged on their desert journey. It’s still not going well. The food they could bring with them from Egypt (see Exodus 12:34–39) is all gone and the hardships of Egypt have been forgotten. The pots of meat they had there dominate their thinking – and presumably they’d rather have died full than empty (v 3)! The hungry people easily forgot what God had done and had to be reminded that they were grumbling against God (v 8).
God’s plan provided meat (migrating quail) and bread. He came among the people (v 10) and promised to feed them – and he fed them generously (v 16). It’s interesting to see that this too is intended as a test for the Israelites (vs 4,5).
It’s sad to see how quickly their circumstances make the Israelites change their minds about the Lord. From being their deliverer, someone worthy of great praise, they’re now wishing they were dead by his hand (v 3). And how encouraging it is to see that, despite their grumbling and complaining, God acts with grace and mercy towards them.
Respond
Pray today for anyone who finds it hard to see how God can be in their circumstances, or who finds it hard to trust him in difficulties. Ask God to show his grace and mercy to them.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 29–31; Psalm 119:1–24
Pray for Scripture Union
The Josiah Spiers Benevolent Fund provides practical and financial support to SU pensioners. Here are some recent responses: ‘I feel privileged for support of the Josiah Spiers Fund.’ ‘Thank you so much for the gift. It came just as I had expensive roof repairs.’ Pray the trustees will be given wisdom in allocating gifts this Christmas.
