Series Introduction: 

As we saw in our last sermon series, after 400 years of slavery, the Israelites witnessed God’s power through the plagues against Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, leading to their exodus from Egypt. We ended our series in Exodus 15 with the Israelites singing praises to God after He miraculously led them through the Red Sea on dry land, protecting them from Pharaoh and his army. 

However, not three days after their miraculous deliverance, the Israelites were already complaining to Moses. They had come to a land called Marah where the water was too bitter to drink. In their complaining and grumbling the Israelites revealed their wavering faith. Moses prayed to God, who made the water sweet and drinkable, demonstrating His power and care. Despite this miracle, their faith continued to falter. As we will see in our sermon today, in the wilderness of Sin, the Israelites faced a lack of food and once again began to grumble and complain against Moses and Aaron, longing for the “meat pots” of Egypt, preferring the security of slavery over the difficult road of freedom that comes from trusting in God.

Just as the Israelites nostalgically looked back to Egypt, we may idealize past situations instead of trusting God’s plan for our future. Earlier this morning we recognized some of our graduates who are leaving one stage of life to pursue a new and exciting future. I feel like this message is a timely one for those of us who find ourselves in periods of transition. Like the Israelites, we may be tempted to look back and long for what is familiar rather than to trust that God has bigger and better things in store for us. As we will learn today, it is a good thing to remember the past, and to learn from the past, but we are not meant to live in the past. 

Scripture Reading: 

EXODUS 16:1-35, ESV

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging Your unfailing love and provision in our lives. As we gather today to reflect on the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness, we recognize our own struggles and moments of doubt. We confess that, like them, we often long for the false security of past comforts rather than trusting in Your perfect plan for our future. Lord, open our hearts to receive Your Word today. Help us to see Your hand of provision in our daily lives and to rely on Your faithfulness, just as the Israelites depended on the manna You provided. May this time of worship strengthen our faith and deepen our trust in You, the true Bread of Life, who sustains us now and for eternity. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Introduction: 

Each of us will inevitably face times of scarcity, uncertainty, and difficulty in life—whether it’s financial hardship, health issues, or personal crises—and in those moments, we may be tempted to grumble and complain. The Israelites’ misplaced nostalgia for the “meat pots” and “bread to the full” of their former life in Egypt blinded them to the blessings and freedom God was leading them toward. As Christians, we must remember that God’s provision is not just about trusting Him to meet immediate needs, but it is about teaching us to rely on Him fully. Instead of looking back and thinking about the things we once had, let us instead look forward, focusing on God’s promises and the future He has for us. 

God’s Miraculous Provision (Exodus 16:4-15)

When the Israelites grumbled about their lack of food, God responded with incredible generosity and miraculous provision. He promised to “rain bread from heaven,” a miraculous bread called manna, which appeared each morning with the dew. This manna was a clear sign of God’s faithfulness, meeting their physical needs and encouraging continual trust in Him.

Manna appeared each morning with the dew, forming a fine, frost-like covering on the ground. It had to be gathered early as it melted in the sun by mid-morning. The people were instructed to collect just enough for their daily needs, as any leftover would spoil overnight, except on the sixth day. On that day, they could gather twice as much, and it would remain fresh for the Sabbath.

This routine was a powerful lesson in reliance on God, as they could not store manna for future use except on the day before the Sabbath. Any attempt to save manna for the next day resulted in spoilage, with the leftover manna breeding worms and becoming foul. The Israelites were to collect only what they needed each day without hoarding. On the sixth day, they were to gather twice as much to prepare for the Sabbath, a day of rest when no manna would appear. 

This daily dependence on manna echoes Jesus’ teaching in the Lord’s Prayer: 

“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11, ESV). 

Just as the Israelites trusted God for their daily sustenance, we are called to rely on God for our day to day needs. This prayer reminds us that our ultimate provision comes from God, cultivating gratitude and trust in His ongoing care. It encourages us to live one day at a time, confident in God’s faithfulness to provide, just as He did for the Israelites in the wilderness.

The story of manna in the wilderness also points to a greater reality fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In John 6:31-35, Jesus refers to the manna given to the Israelites and declares Himself to be the true bread from heaven. 

“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:32-35, ESV)

Just as manna provided physical sustenance for the Israelites, Jesus provides spiritual sustenance for all who believe in Him. The true source of life and satisfaction is found in Jesus, the living bread who came down from heaven to give life to the world. This is what we celebrated this morning in the taking of Holy Communion. Through faith in Him, we receive not just daily provision but eternal life.

Lessons from God’s Provision (Exodus 16:16-21)

Despite God’s clear instructions, some Israelites disobeyed by trying to save Manna for the next day. This caused the manna to spoil and breed worms. Additionally, some went out on the Sabbath to gather manna but found none, showing their lack of trust in God’s provision. 

We are called to live according to God’s word, trusting that His instructions are for our good and lead to life. Obedience to God is an act of faith, demonstrating our belief that His ways are higher than ours and that He knows what is best for us.

Jesus taught about the importance of placing our trust in God rather than earthly wealth.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)

Just as the Israelites were to trust God for their daily manna, we are to trust God for our daily needs and focus on heavenly treasures, not earthly ones. This means living by faith, trusting in God’s provision, and valuing what He values.

“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” (Exodus 16:18, ESV)

The Israelites shared what they gathered, ensuring that everyone had enough, regardless of their individual capacity to gather. This principle highlighted God’s care for the entire community and the importance of caring for one another. Each family’s needs were met not by their own efforts alone but through a system of mutual support and generosity. 

In 2 Corinthians, Paul refers to the story of manna to encourage early Christians to share their resources. He writes:

“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time, your plenty will supply what they need so that, in turn, their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.'”  (2 Corinthians 8:13-15, ESV)

Paul uses this example to teach about fairness and mutual support within the Christian community, urging believers to share their abundance with those in need. Like the Israelites receiving manna from heaven, we have been blessed far more than we realize. I never want to be perceived as undermining the value of hard work. In fact, the Bible has much to say about the value of hard work and the dangers of laziness. At the same time, we need to remember that any success or abundance we have in life is only ours because God allowed us to obtain it, and He always blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. In a world where disparities in wealth and resources are widespread, the biblical model calls us to act with compassion and generosity. 

Observing the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-30)

In Exodus 16:22-30, God set a rhythm of work and rest for the Israelites. He instructed them to gather a double portion of manna on the sixth day so they could rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath. This command was crucial as it provided for their physical needs and established a pattern of dependence and trust in God. Gathering double on the sixth day and finding it miraculously preserved for the Sabbath was a direct sign of God’s provision and care, emphasizing the importance of rest and trusting God to sustain them without their daily labor. This practice reminded them that their ultimate provider was God, not their own efforts.

The concept of Sabbath rest is deeply rooted in the Bible, starting with creation. In Genesis 2:1-3, after six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day and sanctified it, setting a divine example of rest. This theme is reiterated in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11), where God commands His people to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, ceasing from their labors just as He did.

The principle of Sabbath rest extends into the New Testament, where Jesus clarifies its purpose. In Luke 6:1-11, Jesus heals on the Sabbath, showing that it is a time for doing good and finding rest in God’s compassionate provision. These passages highlight that the Sabbath is a sacred time ordained by God for rest and spiritual rejuvenation.

Ultimately the Sabbath is a gift from God, designed to provide rest and reflection. It allows us to pause from our regular work and focus on God, cultivating a deeper relationship with Him. The Sabbath reminds us that our value and sustenance come from God, not from our relentless efforts. Hebrews 4:9-11 speaks to a deeper spiritual rest that the Sabbath symbolizes—a rest from striving for our own salvation. It points to the ultimate rest found in Jesus Christ, who completed the work of salvation on our behalf. This rest is not just physical but also spiritual, freeing us from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor through our works. We are invited to rest in the finished work of Christ, experiencing the peace and renewal that comes from trusting in His grace.

Christ as the True Manna (Exodus 16:31-35)

In Exodus 16:31-35, manna is described as God’s miraculous provision, sustaining the Israelites throughout their journey in the wilderness. This bread from heaven is more than just a historical miracle; as we have already shown, it symbolizes Jesus Christ. 

Faith in Christ is like the daily gathering of manna. Just as the Israelites depended on God for their daily bread, we are called to depend on Jesus for our spiritual nourishment. This continuous reliance on Christ strengthens our faith and draws us closer to Him.

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul declared: 

“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:23, ESV). 

The firstfruits of the Spirit refer to our initial experiences of God’s blessings, previewing the full redemption we will experience in eternity. Our daily spiritual nourishment through Christ provides strength and hope as we await the fulfillment of God’s promises. This continuous relationship with Jesus offers us a foretaste of the glory and inheritance that await us in heaven.

Spiritual nourishment is essential for our growth and perseverance in faith. Just as the Israelites gathered manna each morning, we are invited to come to Jesus daily, receiving His grace, wisdom, and strength. This ongoing dependence on Christ ensures that our souls are fed and fortified, enabling us to live out our faith with resilience and hope. Jesus, the true manna, not only sustains us in our daily walk but also assures us of the glorious inheritance that we will fully realize in the presence of God. By coming to Him daily, we receive the spiritual nourishment we need to thrive and the assurance of our heavenly inheritance, which is our greatest hope and joy.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the lessons from Exodus 16, I challenge each of us to examine our own lives and consider the ways we need to trust in God’s provision. The Israelites’ journey in the wilderness teaches us that God’s faithfulness is unwavering, even in the face of scarcity and uncertainty. Are there areas in your life where you are struggling to rely on God’s provision? Whether it’s financial worries, health concerns, or personal challenges, we are invited to place our trust in God’s capable hands, believing that He will meet our needs just as He provided manna and quail for the Israelites.

Let us take this opportunity to recommit to daily dependence on God through prayer and meditation on His word. Just as the Israelites gathered manna every morning, we too must seek spiritual nourishment each day. Spend time in prayer, expressing your needs and gratitude to God. Meditate on Scripture, allowing His words to guide and strengthen you. This daily practice not only builds our faith but also keeps us grounded in God’s truth, reminding us that He is our ultimate provider.

Embrace the rhythm of work and rest that God has designed for us. Observing the Sabbath was not just a command for the Israelites; it is a timeless principle that benefits us today. By setting aside regular time for rest and worship, we acknowledge that our lives are not sustained by our efforts alone but by God’s grace. In a world that often glorifies busyness, let us find our ultimate rest in Christ, who invites us to come to Him and find rest for our souls. Remember, true rest is not merely physical but spiritual, rooted in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging Your unfailing provision and care. We pray for hearts that trust in Your provision, especially in times of uncertainty and need. Help us to rely on You daily, believing that You will meet our every need according to Your riches in glory. Lord, we thank You for Your faithfulness and steadfast love that sustain us through all seasons of life. We are grateful for the lessons of trust and obedience that You teach us through Your word. As we leave this place, may we carry these truths in our hearts, living lives that reflect our dependence on You and our commitment to following Your commands. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.