Êxodo 16

Êxodo 16

Meyer - Exodus 16:4 A Day’s Portion every day. (R.V.) It is said that the twenty-four hours should be divided thus: Eight hours for work, eight for rest, eight for recreation, food, etc. There should be a counterpart of this in Christian living. Each day there should be a portion for work, a portion for restful meditation and sitting before the Lord, and a portion for the gathering of God’s manna. Each day brings its own work. — God has created us for good works, and has prepared our pathway, so that we may come to them one by one. He has apportioned to each one some office to fulfill, some service to render, some function in the mystical body of our Lord. It is comforting to know that we have not to scheme for ourselves, but to look up for guidance into the Divine plan. Each day brings its own difficulties. — God spreads them over our days, giving each day only what we can sustain. The servant girl might be startled were she told that she would have to carry the coals, which it has taken two horses and a great cart to brim to her master’s door; but she will be comforted by being reminded that they will be borne upstairs only a coal — scuttle full at a time. Each day brings its own supply. — No Israelite could point to his store of manna and congratulate himself that he was proof against any famine that might befall. The lesson of daily trust for daily bread was constantly being enforced; for as the day came the manna fell. Those who followed the cloud were always certain of their sustenance. Where the cloud brooded the manna fell. Whatever any day may bring there always will be within reach of you, lying ready prepared on the sands of the desert, just what you require. Go forth and carry it; there will be no lack. Exodus 16:4 One Day At A Time Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. —Matthew 6:34 A frail, elderly woman fell and broke her hip. The doctor set the bones as best he could, but he knew that she would have a long and uncomfortable recovery. The next day when he visited her in the hospital, he found her in great anxiety. “Oh, Doctor,” she asked, “how long am I going to have to stay in bed?” With wisdom and kindness he gently replied, “Only one day—one day at a time!” That was a wise answer. It reminds me of the words of the Lord Jesus. He taught a similar lesson when He said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). Not only that, tomorrow’s worries may never come to pass. A godly woman who had lived long enough to learn some important lessons about life said, “I’ve had a lot of trouble in my life—and most of it never happened!” Each day God sends His grace To strengthen you and me; We need to use today's supply, And let tomorrow be. —Anon. God gives grace just when we need it. Exodus 16:4 Tested By the Blessings Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not." Tested by the Blessings Many tests come in the guise of hardship, illness or some other unpleasant experience--but not all of them. The good times can be just as much a test as the bad times. When the people of Israel reached the Wilderness of Sin, they were unable to find food. This hot, barren wasteland offered nothing that would sustain a multitude of people. But God used this experience to test His children and teach them to trust Him. He graciously supplied a heavenly food that looked like a dewdrop, which the people called "manna." This miraculous gift was more than just a blessing, however. It was also God's test to see whether they would walk in His law or not. Being obedient in the midst of plenteous blessings is often more difficult than when we are experiencing a multitude of difficulties. Pleasures can easily dull our spiritual ears so we no longer hear the Lord saying, "This is the way, walk in it" (Isa. 30:21). A lack of trials lulls us into a false sense of security and leaves us vulnerable to the attacks of Satan. It's no wonder that some people claim it's easier to survive poverty than wealth. Agur, the writer of Proverbs 30 prayed, "Feed me with the food You prescribe for me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, 'Who is the Lord?'" (vv. 8-9). If you are experiencing a time of blessing, that's wonderful--but be sensitive to the potential for danger. Testing doesn't stop just because the trials have ceased. The need for obedience is constant whether the sun shines or not. Trust and obey--every day. Exodus 16:5 "On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as m uch as they gather daily." prepare - Ex 16:23 35:2,3 Lev 25:21,22 Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PART OF THE TEST ON SIXTH DAY GATHER TWICE AS MUCH On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily - The reason is not explained until later. But considering this was a "test" it would seem that by obeying they would learn to trust the Lord for what the did not know. In verse 23 Moses says "Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.” Bruckner - The Lord’s plan was to form this assembly into a people who would bless the world through the way they lived. God was preparing them for the more comprehensive instruction (torah) at Sinai. Giving bread with instructions was a small beginning, but by the end of the chapter it proved effective. The people learned to follow the Lord in the matter of daily bread (v. 30). The Lord “proved their ability” to follow (nasah, NIV “test”). Currid - The second specification of the law is that five days a week the Hebrews are to gather bread for each day, but the sixth and seventh days are to be different. On the sixth day they are to collect a double portion of bread, so that they will have enough for the next day as well. Work on the seventh day is not allowed. NET - There is a question here concerning the legislation – the people were not told why to gather twice as much on the sixth day. In other words, this instruction seems to presume that they knew about the Sabbath law. That law will be included in this chapter in a number of ways Exodus 16:6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, "At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt; At evening you will know - Ex 16:8,12,13 the Lord - Ex 16:3 6:7 12:51 32:1,7,11 Nu 16:28,30 Ps 77:20 Isa 63:11,12 Exodus 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, "At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt - Is this not fascinating? One would think that with the experience of the plagues, Passover, and the deliverance at the Red Sea, Israel would surely know this truth! As