Scriptures. Supt Janice Hall
Lesson Text: Exodus 16:2-15
Related Scriptures: I Corinthians 10:1-10; Exodus6:1-8; John 6:30-58; Numbers 11:4-34
Exodus 16:2-15
The people of Israel complained because they did not have enough food. They lost sight of God’s future for them. They insisted that Moses and Aaron had bad motives. God promised that He would provide for Israel beyond their expectations. In a miraculous way, God shows His glory and the provisions and the promises are met.
These complaints are starting to follow a pattern. The people encounter a threat to their well being. They complain against their leadership. Their leaders bring the complaints before God. God saves them by various means such as, crossing the Red Sea, providing drinkable water and providing bread from Heaven.
Related Scriptures
I Corinthians 10:1-10 continues the subject from two previous chapter, regarding the Christian Corinthians concerns about meat which has been sacrificed to idols. Exodus 6:1-8 shows us the response to Moses complaint, and the people of Israel are reassured in their hearts of God’s promises. John 6:30-58, reveals that God reminded the people that it was not Moses who had given them the manna, but God. Secondly he reiterated that the manna was not really the bread of God, but a symbol, and the only real satisfaction was in Him. In Numbers 11:4-34, the people of Israel complain about the manna, Moses has his complaints, but God answers them both and sends elders to assist them.
Synopsis. Sis Tarae King
This week’s scripture opens with the children of Israel in the wilderness. It had been about a month since they left Egypt and the people began to complain about the lack of food. The people said it would have been best to die by the hand of the Lord in Egypt than to starve to the wilderness.
In response to the complaints, God told Moses that He would rain down bread from heaven. God was using this opportunity to test their faith and obedience. The Lord instructed that the people will collect a certain amount each day and on the sixth day they will have twice as much. Moses came to the people and told them that the Lord heard their complaints and when they complained it was unto the Lord.
Moses directed Aaron to gather the people in the glory of the Lord which appeared to them in a cloud. The Lord told the people that he heard their complaints for food. He will provide meat in the evening and in the morning bread. Then they will know that He is their God.
Practical Application. Bro Doug Smith
Today’s lesson begins with the congregation of the children of Israel with their murmurings or complaints against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. Wilderness can be defined as an uncultivated, uninhabited and inhospitable region. The Wilderness of Sin was a vast and hostile environment full of sand and stone. It’s barren surroundings provided the perfect place for God to test and shape the character of his people. As the Israelites encountered danger, shortages, and inconvenience, they complained bitterly and longed to be back in Egypt, but as always, God provided for their needs.
Difficult circumstances often lead to stress and complaining which is a natural response. The Israelites didn’t really want to go back to Egypt, they just wanted life to get a little easier. In the pressures of the moment, it may be difficult to focus on the cause of one’s stress(in this case, lack of trust in God). They could only think about the quickest way of escape. We are to focus on God’s power and wisdom to help us in all circumstances.
Matthew 6:31-33 states:
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
We can learn to trust Him as our Lord, always by following Him. We learn to obey by taking those first steps of obedience.
