Tyndale Open Study NotesExodus 16

On the journey from the sea to Mount Sinai, God continued to care for the people's needs. During the events where he rescued them, he showed his power. Here, he showed that he cares about their basic needs.

God demonstrated care for his people by providing manna and quail as food for them.

grumbled: The people often showed their lack of faith by complaining.

ate our fill of bread: The Israelites had been oppressed slaves in Egypt. Their complaint did not match the reality of their suffering.

One danger of complaining is that it can blind people to the truth. It can make the past seem better than it really was.

Faith responds differently. Faith is thankful for what God has already done and trusts him for what he will do in the future.

These were the Lord’s instructions for gathering the food he gave in the wilderness. He provided enough for each day. On the sixth day, he gave a double portion. This way, the people did not need to gather food on the Sabbath (see 16:21–30).

The Israelites kept the Sabbath even before it was written in the Ten Commandments.

Many people resist a way of life that requires daily trust in God. We prefer to store up supplies so that we feel independent. But God was teaching his people to live by faith. They had to trust him each day to provide what they needed (compare Matthew 6:11).

The Hebrew word translated glory has a deeper meaning than the English word often suggests.

In Hebrew, the word points to weightiness, substance, and reality. It describes something solid and important, not something light or short-lived.

In English, glory can sound bright or impressive but temporary. The Hebrew idea is stronger. It is closer to royal grandeur. It shows greatness, honor, and true authority.

The Hebrew term man hu (meaning "What is it?") became the name for the miraculous food called manna (see 16:31). For 40 years, the people ate what is it? Jesus referred to himself as the fulfillment of the meaning of this miracle. He is the "true bread from heaven" that gives life (John 6:32–35, 48, 51, 63).

For these instructions, see study note on 16:4–5.

The Sabbath was a day set apart for the Lord (16:23). It was also a gift from the Lord to his people (16:29). Rest and worship are not meant to be an obligation, but a privilege. However, because people often try to meet their needs in our own way, God commands rest and worship (16:28).

The container of manna was to be preserved as a reminder of God’s providential care for his people. He is powerful and deeply caring. Not only can he supply our needs, he wants to do so.

until they came to a land: God’s care for us is normally demonstrated in ordinary ways, as it would usually be for Israel after they arrived in Canaan (see Joshua 5:10–12). That care is just as real as when it comes in extraordinary ways, as it did while Israel was in the wilderness.