Exodus 16

² And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, ³ and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

It sounds like they wish they had died by one of the plagues rather than to be hungry. This is one of the weaknesses of man. We need to eat. But food can easily become a god to us, a source of satisfaction that we exalt. (Psalm 78:18[notes1] ) Not until you decide to purposefully go without food will you realize the powerful influence food has on your life. This was one of the gods of Egypt that hadn’t yet been addressed. Has it been addressed in your own life?

God could have provided for them from the first day they left, but He was teaching them about their hearts. He is testing them so that they can see where they seek satisfaction, and where they turn in times of struggle. (Exodus 20:20[notes2] ) It’s no different today. If you have never fasted I would encourage you to do so. Take a day, or two or three, and drink water or even some juice, and you will be able to relate to this trial the Israelites are going through.

On the other hand, remember that they had flocks and herds. It wasn’t that they had nothing to eat. The flocks produced milk. They could be slaughtered for meat, but the flocks were their wealth. They weren’t quite as desperate as they made it sound. We usually aren’t. (Exodus 34:3[notes3] )

They were ready to go back. Funny how we remember the “good old days” but forget details, things like taskmasters, and long hours of labor, beatings, lack of freedom etc. All we remember is the one thing we are currently missing. Instead of giving thanks for what we do have, like Eve in the Garden, we focus on the one thing we don’t have and wonder why God would be so harsh as to withhold this one thing. (Genesis 3:6[notes4] ) Love withholds it that we might grow spiritually.

The people blamed Moses for their predicament, but really, all our dissatisfaction is ultimately aimed at God. Notice, too, that they say that Moses brought them out of Egypt. Moses will have to address these misconceptions.

⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. ⁵ On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” God sent the answer. He would provide. He is Jehovah Jireh. (Genesis 22:14[notes5] ) The people needed to see their own heart before God met their need, and that is often the case with us. I would suggest that in every trial we face, we first look at our own attitude. Where did we go first? What or who do we blame? Is their another god in our heart? What is God trying to teach us through the difficulty? And what is His solution to the situation? Can I do what Moses suggested before, “Stand still and see the salvation of God”? (Exodus 14:13[notes6] )

God is teaching them to trust His word and obey Him. We should learn to obey because His commands are for our good. (Deuteronomy 10:13[notes7] ) He gave them very specific commands. Gather so much on these days. Don’t gather more except on the day before the Sabbath and then gather twice as much.

⁶ So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, ⁷ and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” Why they didn’t realize that it was the Lord that delivered them after the plagues, the Red Sea, and Marah is due to human nature. (Psalm 78:11[notes8] ) Israel is revealing the heart of man, just as Pharaoh revealed the heart of man. What does God have to do for us to give Him the glory due Him?

18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

[notes2] Exodus 20:20 (ESV)

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”

[notes3] Exodus 34:3 (ESV)

3 No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.”

[notes4] Genesis 3:5-6 (ESV)

5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

[notes5] Genesis 22:14 (ESV)

14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

[notes6] Exodus 14:13 (ESV)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

[notes7] Deuteronomy 10:13 (ESV)

13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

[notes8] Psalm 78:11 (ESV)

11 They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.

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