Exodus 16:13-36

v13: “At evening” – so much of what G-d does He does in the evening or at night (Psalm 121:4)

· Dew in the morning, like rain in the winter, is seen as a blessing.

v14: This giving of manna was a supernatural event.

v15: What they wanted, needed and desired (food for sustenance) G-d provided in a way that they had never experienced before. This was new and unfamiliar bread for them.

v16: This was not a difficult instruction to follow.

v17: Different people gathered different amounts.

v18: G-d’s provision was not limited in terms of amount. It was limited by time (those who gathered more found, on measuring, that they had the same as the omer- this unit of measurement).

v19: Here we see the time limit/expiry date. If any food was left over after a day they had to destroy it (similar to what happened with the lamb at Passover)

v20: These people did not demonstrate faith. They wanted to keep what G-d had provided for today for tomorrow – in case He didn’t provide the next day (Matthew 6:11&34). This may have made sense rationally, but it was an act of disobedience.

v21: Here we see the faithfulness of G-d (Lamentations 3:22-23). The gathering up of G-d’s provision had a time limit attached to it. When G-d provides for a need it doesn’t remain there indefinitely. We need to go and take hold of it before it is withdrawn. The way they sought food, early in the morning, should point us toward seeking G-d early in the day too – Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:10 (after eating we give thanks)

v22: On the day before the Sabbath (in preparation for the Sabbath) they were told to glean a double portion for each person. G-d, therefore, made a distinction between the Sabbath and the other days of the week. The Sabbath is a unique day. The rulers were confused about this instruction.

v23: Moses explains to them why it is different to leave this manna overnight – unlike on the other days.

· All the work (baking, boiling etc) had to be done on the day before the Sabbath.

v25: G-d keeps the Sabbath! He sent no bread into the field on this day (Genesis 2:2-3) G-d provides for the Sabbath – the day before.

v26: Six days of work and one day of rest (Exodus 34:21)

v27: The people are not confused. They understand the teaching. It is simple. They were just disobedient.

v28: This is a good question to use to check ourselves: How long does it take for us before we obey G-d’s commands and laws?

v29: The L-rd has given us the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). One of the purposes of the Sabbath is for

G-d to put us in the right place – where we need to be, where G-d wants us to be located. The Sabbath is an instrument used for our restoration. Remain…let no man go out – emphasised.

v31: The Scripture is drawing a connection here between the Sabbath and the manna – both are supernatural provision from the L-rd.

· The manna was like a seed – a wafer that tasted like honey. Most commentators say the taste reminded them that they were on a journey to the land of milk and honey. The taste had a purpose attached to it – to encourage them to get to where they needed to be – where G-d wanted them to be.

v32: Provision (bread) and redemption (out of Egypt) are being linked together here. We cannot expect G-d’s provision in our lives unless we’ve experienced His Redemption.

v33: The purpose of keeping this manna was for testimony/memorial – a reminder to future generations of the faithfulness of G-d in regard to redemption and provision.

v34: Hebrews 9:4

v35: 40 years (Biblically) is a number of transition or change.