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.
Exodus 16:4
What stands out to me about this part of the story is that God chooses to provide a massive overabundance of provision for the people, yet asks them to only take what they need. The teaching is a matter of faith, by providing the abundance and asking for moderation, God is looking for His people to trust that He will provide what they need tomorrow just as He did today.
I find there are times when my pride creeps back into my life. I convince myself that, since I’ve been a Christian for so long, I have learned all the early lessons of the Israelites in the wilderness. Surely, I have passed beyond the basics. In the case of trials I can recognize the testing, but what about the times of great blessing. Do I recognize that God is also teaching me in those times? I admit, it does not often occur to me in times of plenty that I am being taught anything. I usually think of those times as a vacation from the trials where I can relax. My misconceptions of God, like the Israelites, are alarming. God is not a tyrant who has me in a slave pit, where the few times of rest come periodically, only to return to the trials once again. God is a loving Father, His testing builds our faith. So, the question is, can I recognize God’s hand and instruction in times of abundance the same as I would in the face of challenges?
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: 20
God is wonderful, not only does He explain what is going on but He provides a concrete example of what happens when we fail the test. I’ve experienced this in my life, and to my shame I have not always recognized it as God’s work in my life. I remember getting a tax return, impulsively rushing out and buying some expensive items with it, knowing that I should pay off some credit instead. To this day those items have all become unused, abandoned, and discarded. It’s easy to brush this concept off and say it was my unconscious guilt. Guilt that made the items less appealing over time. Maybe I convince myself those things where just bad purchases. It is easier than admitting I chose to disregard and misuse God’s blessing of abundance and my disobedience made them spoil.
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. Exodus 16: 35
The amazing thing is, God’s manna comes again the next day, even after the disobedience. For 40 years He worked with them. Even now His blessings, His abundance come again each day as He asks for us to step in faith and obedience. What an amazing God we serve.
– Jeff Gilbert