Manna from Heaven
May 18, 2025
Exodus 15:27 (NIV) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.
Exodus 16:1–16:20 (NIV) 1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The 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.” 4 Then 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. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” 9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ” 10 While 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. 11 The 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.’ ” 13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When 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. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’ ” 17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. 19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” 20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
Exodus 16:31, 35 (NIV) 31 The people of Israel called the bread manna.
It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Manna sustained the Israelites for 40 years in the Wilderness.
Manna is a picture of the Word of God.
We must eat it.
Gather it for ourselves.
We must get into the word for ourselves.
Illustration: A restaurant could have good food, but you must go to the restaurant to taste, verify and enjoy the food for yourself.
The community of Israel went from leaving Egypt to Crossing the Red Sea then to the waters of Marah (bitter waters) then to Elim, (a refreshing oasis),
and they are now in the desert of Sin on their way to Sinai (a place to meet with God and receive the 10 Commandments).
The Desert of Sin is a place between, Elim (a refreshing oasis), and Sinai (where they will meet God – Ex. 19).
God will bring us into “wilderness” seasons to teach us to trust and rely on Him.
God does Not want us to rely on or trust in our past comforts or future plans.
We must Learn to Trust God in the Desert Times.
Jehovah Jireh is still our Provider in the Desert.
Revival comes to people:
-Who Rely, Trust, and Depend on God.
-Who are Repent of their sin.
-Who know how to handle the “In Between”, the Desert Season before the Blessing Season.
How to Handle the “In-Between”?
Choose Gratitude Over Grumbling:
Exodus 16:2–3 (NIV) 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The 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.”
The Israelite community has a reputation for Grumbling and Complaining:
-In Egypt, Israel complained that Moses was making their work harder, not easier.
-At the Red Sea, they accused Moses of bringing them out to die in the desert.
-At Marah, they grumbled because of the undrinkable, bitter water.
-The whole 40 years in the desert, they complained.
Grumbling, Whining, and Complaining:
-Is evidence of a grumbling spirit.
-It is caused by the condition of your heart.
Is NOT caused by outward circumstances.
The Israelites Grumbled about Starving:
The fact is: They were NOT starving.
They were NOT even running out of food.
Explanation:
In the next chapter, they grumbled about there being no water.
Exodus 17:3 (NIV) But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
They HAD livestock that they brought from Egypt.
They HAD flocks and herds:
-They could drink milk and make cheese.
-They had meat to eat.
Trials reveal the condition of your heart.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 (ThePassionTranslation) So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.
-Replace Complaints with Thankfulness.
-Be thankful for what God has done.
-Grumbling Ends Where Gratitude Begins.
-Don’t Run to the world’s way of doing things.
The Word of God shows us how to respond in difficult times:
Philippians 4:4–7 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Let Gratitude Silence the Grumbling
-Trade Your Complaints for Praise
Song: I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my shame.
I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord.
I’m trading my sickness, I’m trading my pain
I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord.
-Practice Thankfulness, Not Complaints.
-Have A Thankful Heart, Over a Complaining Spirit.
The Israelites exaggerated their slavery.
Grumbling blinds us to God’s grace.
Gratitude opens our eyes to what He’s doing now.
Remember, God is Faithful.
Focus on what God has already provided and not on what you Lack.
Jesus is Our Manna
The Word of God is Our Manna
John 6:31–35 (NIV) 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Come on now. Good Stuff.