August 20, 2024

The Israelites had been in the wilderness for about a month and were now traveling in the wilderness of Sin. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the place is called Sin. The provisions they brought out of Egypt were gone, and they were getting hungry; they had no meat or bread. There is one thing I don’t understand; they brought all their flocks, herds, and cattle with them; why were they hungry? How were they feeding them? Whatever the case, God heard them complaining and accusing Moses and Aaron of bringing them out of Egypt to die, which also accused God because their release was at his hand. Out of the kindness of his heart, he provided manna with the early morning dew and flocks of quail for the evening meal; he provided their food for the entire 40 years of wandering, and all they needed to do was ask. As a side note: they still had to cook the bread and clean the quail; though God provided the food, they had to do their part. However, they were to gather for six days and rest on the Sabbath. So they gathered and cooked on the sixth day to prepare for the seventh day. Remember, this portion of scripture was before God gave them the law. Just as God rested on the seventh day, he also wants us to take time to rest. 

Jesus set us free from our sins, but we still have challenges to face that come with trusting him. We often feel that it would be easier to return to sin or, as the Israelites, return to Egypt rather than contending with the devil and his minions, but our lives are short, and eternity is long. Instead of complaining, we must seek God’s help and await his deliverance. Stay the course, and know that you are facing challenges because you are doing the right thing, and the devil hates it. 

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. Exodus 16:12

And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. Exodus 16:23