Manna in the Wilderness
Open with Prayer:
God, we thank you for this time together, for the technology that makes it possible, and the hearts that connect us. Be with us as we travel, join us in this journey, and help us see and hear you always. Amen.
Read: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.
Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.”’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
How do you think the Israelites felt when they knew that God had “rained down” food that was just for them?
Do you think they were afraid to try it?
What do you think it tasted like?
Do you think they every got bored with what God provided for them? Maybe they wanted to eat something other than manna and quail?
God told the Israelites to only collect enough manna and quail to feed themselves for the day. Why did God give the Israelites that rule about the manna and the quail?
How would you react if all your normal sources of food disappeared? If the only food you had came out of nowhere once a day?
What is the difference between needing something and wanting something?
Does God give us what we need or what we want?
Finish with Prayer:
God, Thank you for feeding the Israelites while they were in the desert.
Thank you for providing us with: (something God has given you)
God today we thank you for: (something or someone you’re grateful for)
God today we need your help with: (something hard or difficult you need to do)
God today please be with: (someone who may be sick, sad, or hurt)
We ask all this in Jesus’ name.
Amen