EXODUS –LESSON 26
LEARN: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
READ: Exodus 16:1-24
1. How long had the Israelites been traveling since they had left Egypt? v 1, See Exodus 12:2, 3, 6, 13, 29-33 to figure your answer.
2. What happened at the end of that time as the people came into the wilderness of Sin? vv 2, 3
NOTE: For the first time, the Israelites found themselves in want of sufficient nourishment. They had consumed the grain which they had brought with them out of Egypt; and no doubt they had still considerable flocks and herds, yet they were unaccustomed to a mere and flesh diet, having lived in Egypt principally upon bread (ver.3), and fish (Num.11:5), and vegetables (Num.11:5). It is quite possible that many of the poorer sort, having brought with them no cattle, or lost their cattle by the way, and not being helped by their brethren, were in actual danger of starvation. PULPIT COMMENTARY The Book of Exodus vol.2 p.30
3. Whatever the sufferings of the Israelites in Egypt, what was not lacking to them? v 3
4. What characteristic of God was shown to the people, though they deserved his judgment for their disbelief and complaint against him. Especially after all the miracles they had seen him do on their behalf and for his glory? See Lamentations 3:22, 23.
5. What was the practical outworking of God towards the people? v 4 a
NOTE: The LORD brings relief from suffering, but seldom of the kind which is expected. The Israelites wished for actual bread, made of wheaten or barely flour. But God gave them not such bread, but a substitute for it.
The substance was called “bread,” because it was intended to serve instead of bread, as the main support of life during the sojourn of Israel in the wilderness; and it was said to be “from heaven,” first, as descending on the ground out of the circumambient air; and secondly, as miraculously sent by him whose seat is in heaven. PULPIT COMMENTARY The Book of Exodus vol.2 p.34
6. Why did the LORD give the people particular instructions as to how they were to gather the food that he provided? v 4b
7. What was the command that God gave concerning the gathering of the “bread from heaven?” vv 4, 5
8. According to verse 6, what was the first evidence that the Israelites would have, that the LORD had heard their complaints? See verses12, 13.
9. The Israelites were murmuring against Moses and Aaron for bringing them out of Egypt. What did Moses say to them about their murmurings? vv 6b, 8b
NOTE: Moses says, “What are we?”-i.e., In other words, what power do we have of our own? We have no hereditary rank, no fixed definite position. We are simply leaders whom you have chosen to follow, because you believed us to have commission from God. Apart from this we are nobodies. But, if our commission is conceded, we are to you in the place of God. PULPIT COMMENTARY The Book of Exodus vol.2 p.35
10. What double promise did Moses give to the people concerning what God would do for them? v 8
11. What was required of the people before they received these blessings? v 9
12. The people had complained against the LORD, which was an act of rebellion. What would coming before the LORD, as he commanded show on their part?
13. What did the people see as they looked toward the wilderness, before the LORD brought the quails? vv 10, 11
14. What did God’s appearance and conversation with Moses before them show to the people?
NOTE: The quails, as appears by subsequent narrative, were supplied, not regularly, but only on rare occasions; in fact (so far as appears), only here in wilderness of Sin, and at Kibroth-hattaavah in the wilderness of Paran ( Num 11:31-34). They were not necessary, but an indulgence.
When these quail approach the coast after a long flight over the Red Sea, they are so often exhausted that they rather fall to the ground than settle, and are then easily taken by the hand or killed with sticks. Their flesh is regarded by the natives as a delicacy. PULPIT COMMENTARY The Book of Exodus vol.2 p. 39
15. When was the “bread” given and what was it like? vv 13, 14a
16. The moisture which lay upon the herbage soon evaporated. There remained on each leaf and each blade of grass a delicate small substance, what was it compared to verse 14b? What was it compared to in Numbers 11:7?
NOTE: At certain times of the year there is a deposit from the air upon the leaves and even upon the stones from the air a glutinous substance which resembles thick honey( called “air honey”).There is also an exhudation from various trees and shrubs, especially the tamarisk, which is moderately hard, and is found both on growing plant and on fallen leaves beneath it, in the shape of small, round, white or grayish grains. It is this last which is the manna of commerce. The biblical manna can not be identified with either of these two substances, though it resembles each in some ways. The Biblical manna came in the air as does the air honey, but it can be “beaten in mortars” and “ground in mills” as the manna of commerce. The manna from heaven is not a medicament, like the one, nor a condiment, like the other. God gave Israel a substance that was suitable for bread, and was the main sustenance for Israel for forty years.PULPIT COMMENTARY The Book of Exodus vol.2 pp40, 41
17. Did the Israelites immediately recognize the bread from heaven when they saw it as the bread that God had promised? v 15 Explain.
18. What did the LORD command concerning the gathering of the manna? v 16
NOTE: “an omer” – Maybe about two quarts, but it is uncertain what that exact measure was at that time.
19. The people gathered the amount of manna as God commanded to the best of their knowledge, but what was the result? v 17
20. What did the LORD miraculously do? v 18
21. What were the people not to do with the manna? v 19
22. Was this command kept? v 20 Explain.
23. How much time did the people have to gather the manna each day? v 21
24. What is another indication that the LORD miraculously provided this manna for the people? vv 22-24 Use also verse 20 to give your answer.
25. What name or names of the LORD do you find to be particularly applicable to this lesson?