Exodus 16:4

_THEN SAID THE LORD UNTO MOSES, BEHOLD, I WILL RAIN BREAD FROM HEAVEN FOR YOU; AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT AND GATHER A CERTAIN RATE EVERY DAY, THAT I MAY PROVE THEM, WHETHER THEY WILL WALK IN MY LAW, OR NO._ Then said the Lord unto Moses. Though the outbreak was immediately against the human leader, it was indirectly against God: yet mark His patience, and how graciously He promised to redress the grievance. I WILL RAIN BREAD FROM HEAVEN. This expression, 'raining from heaven,' seems selected as if on purpose to guard against the supposition of its being a natural production - "bread from heaven," whence it is called 'the bread of angels' (Psalms 78:24). AND THE PEOPLE SHALL GO OUT AND GATHER A CERTAIN RATE EVERY DAY. The circumstance of the bread being to be supplied every day was designed to teach them a lesson of dependence for their daily f

4._Then said the Lord unto Moses. _It is probable that Moses passes over much in silence, because it is not consistent that the insolence of the people was left without even a single word of chastisement. For, although God in His extraordinary kindness gave food to these depraved and wicked men, who were unworthy of the sunlight and the common air, still He was without doubt unwilling to foster their sin by His silence, and, whilst He pardoned their ingratitude, sharply reproved their forwardness. But Moses, passing over this, proceeds to a history especially worthy of narration, how God fed this wretched people with bread from heaven, when He made the manna to fall from the clouds like dew. I call it “the bread of heaven,” with the Prophet, (Psalms 78:24,) who honors it with this magnificent title, and extols God’s bounty towards His people, as if they had been admitted to the table

1-12 The provisions of Israel, brought from Egypt, were spent by the middle of the second month, and they murmured. It is no new thing for the greatest kindness to be basely represented as the greatest injuries. They so far undervalue their deliverance, that they wished they had died in Egypt; and by the hand of the Lord, that is, by the plagues which cut off the Egyptians. We cannot suppose they had plenty in Egypt, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness, while they had flocks and herds: none talk more absurdly than murmurers. When we begin to fret, we ought to consider, that God hears all our murmurings. God promises a speedy and constant supply. He tried whether they would trust him, and rest satisfied with the bread of the day in its day. Thus he tried if they would serve him, and it appeared how ungrateful they were. When God plagued the Egyptians, it was to make them...

Verse Exodus 16:4. _I WILL RAIN BREAD_] Therefore this substance was not a production of the desert: nor was the dew that was the instrument of producing it _common_ there, else they must have had this bread for a month before....

THAT I MAY PROVE THEM - The trial consisted in the restriction to the supply of their daily wants....

EXPOSITION THE PROMISE OF BREAD FROM HEAVEN. When men who are in real distress make complaint, even though the tone of their complaint be not such as it ought to be, God in his mercy is wont to have compassion upon them, to "hear their mummurings," etc; and grant them some relief. But the relief is seldom of the kind which they expect, or pray for. The Israelites wished for actual bread, made of wheaten or barley flour. God gave them, not such bread, but a substitute for it. And first, before giving it, be promised that it should be given. Thus expectation was aroused; faith was exercised; the supernatural character of the relief was indicated; the power and the goodness of God, were, both of them, shown forth. And with the promise was given a law. They were on each occasion to gather no more than would suffice for the day. Thus they would continually "live by

THEN SAID THE LORD UNTO MOSES,.... Who no doubt had been praying to him, as was his usual manner, when the people were in distress and complained, and was heard and answered by him: behold, I WILL RAIN BREAD FROM HEAVEN FOR YOU; though they were a murmuring, rebellious, and ungrateful people, the Lord dealt kindly and bountifully with them; he did not rain fire and brimstone upon them, as on Sodom and Gomorrah, nor snares and an horrible tempest, as on the wicked; but what was desirable by them, and suitable to their present circumstances, even bread, which was what they wanted, and this ready prepared; for though they did dress it in different ways, yet it might be eaten without any preparation at all; and this it was promised should be rained down upon them, there should be great plenty of it; it should come as thick and as fast as a shower of rain, and lie around their camp ready at...

Exodus 16:1. _And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:_ They have been only about six weeks in the wilderness, and already they are up in arms against their leaders. Remember that we have the same kind of people to deal with as Moses and Aaron had. The children of Israel were no better than any other nation; and I do not think they were any worse. We may take them as a fair average of human nature, which is a discontented, rebellious thing in the best of circumstances. Exodus 16:3. A

XVI. MANNA AND QUAILS (Exodus 16:1 P, Exodus 16:4 a(b) - Exodus 16:5 J, (Exodus 16:6 f., Exodus 16:8) Rp, Exodus 16:9 a (morning) P, Exodus 16:13 b - Exodus 16:15 J, Exodus 16:16 P,...

THE MANNA. -- Exodus 16:4-12. GOLDEN TEXT. --_ Jesus said unto them,. am the Bread of Life._ -- John 6:35. TIME. --B. C. 1491. The spring of the year. PLACES. --The Wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Sinai. CONNECTING LINKS. --1. The Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21); 2. The Bitter Waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22-26); 3. The Encampment at Elim (Exodus 15:27); 4. The Murmurs of the People (Exodus 16:1-3). HELPFUL READINGS