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Scott's Reference Library
Exodus 16:2 through Exodus 16:4 (NIV)
2In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3The
Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt! There
we sat around 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.”
4Then 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.
Exodus 16:9 through Exodus 16:15 (NIV)
9Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the
LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’”
10While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward
the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
11The 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.’”
13That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a
layer of dew around the camp. 14When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on
the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15When 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.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-12
The provisions of Israel, brought from Egypt, were spent by the middle of the
second month, and they murmured. It is no new thing for the greatest kindness to
be basely represented as the greatest injuries. They so far undervalue their
deliverance, that they wished they had died in Egypt; and by the hand of the
Lord, that is, by the plagues which cut off the Egyptians. We cannot suppose
they had plenty in Egypt, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness,
while they had flocks and herds: none talk more absurdly than murmurers. When we
begin to fret, we ought to consider, that God hears all our murmurings. God
promises a speedy and constant supply. He tried whether they would trust him,
and rest satisfied with the bread of the day in its day. Thus he tried if they
would serve him, and it appeared how ungrateful they were. When God plagued the
Egyptians, it was to make them know he was their Lord; when he provided for the
Israelites, it was to make them know he was their God.
VERSES 13-21
At evening the quails came up, and the people caught with ease as many as they
needed. The manna came down in dew. They called it “Manna, Manhu,” which means,
“What is this?” “It is a portion; it is that which our God has allotted us, and
we will take it, and be thankful.” It was pleasant food; it was wholesome food.
The manna was rained from heaven; it appeared, when the dew was gone, as a small
round thing, as small as the hoar frost, like coriander seed, in colour like
pearls. The manna fell only six days in the week, and in double quantity on the
sixth day; it bred worms and became offensive if kept more than one day,
excepting on the sabbath. The people had never seen it before. It could be
ground in a mill, or beaten in a mortar, and was then made into cakes and baked.
It continued the forty years the Israelites were in the wilderness, wherever
they went, and ceased when they arrived in Canaan. All this shows how different
it was from any thing found before, or found now. They were to gather the manna
every morning. We are hereby taught, 1. To be prudent and diligent in providing
food for ourselves and our households; with quietness working, and eating our
own bread, not the bread of idleness or deceit. God’s bounty leaves room for
man’s duty; it did so even when manna was rained; they must not eat till they
have gathered. 2. To be content with enough. Those that have most, have for
themselves but food and raiment; those that have least, generally have these; so
that he who gathers much has nothing over, and he who gathers little has no
lack. There is not such a disproportion between one and another in the enjoyment
of the things of this life, as in the mere possession of them. 3. To depend upon
Providence: let them sleep quietly, though they have no bread in their tents,
nor in all their camp, trusting that God, with the following day, would bring
them in their daily bread. It was surer and safer in God’s storehouse than their
own, and would come thence sweeter and fresher. See here the folly of hoarding.
The manna laid up by some, who thought themselves wiser, and better managers,
than their neighbours, and who would provide lest it should fail next day, bred
worms, and became good for nothing. That will prove to be most wasted, which is
covetously and distrustfully spared. Such riches are corrupted, James 5:2, 3.
The same wisdom, power, and goodness that brought food daily from above for the
Israelites in the wilderness, brings food yearly out of the earth in the
constant course of nature, and gives us all things richly to enjoy.