Exodus 16:1-5: a reflection

1They took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to 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. 2The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky 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. 5It shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

When Israel, hungry in the wilderness, grumbles for food, God promises to provide, but in a particular way: I will rain bread from the sky 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. The manna was to be gathered daily, a day's portion at a time; they could not hoard it up, but had to depend on God for each day's provision. And this daily gathering was itself a test of their trust: whether they would depend on God day by day, or try to secure themselves against tomorrow.

Notice how God gave the provision: daily, a day's portion at a time. He did not give them a great store to hoard, freeing them from daily dependence; he gave them enough for each day, so that they had to look to him again each day for the next day's bread. This daily provision taught daily dependence: they could not secure themselves against the future by hoarding, but had to trust God for each day as it came. The manna was a daily lesson in depending on God one day at a time.

That daily dependence is worth taking to heart, for we too are given our provision day by day, and are taught to depend on God one day at a time. We would often prefer to have everything secured in advance, freeing us from daily dependence; but God often gives us what we need day by day, teaching us to look to him each day rather than trusting in a hoarded store. Do not resent that God gives you your provision day by day rather than all at once; the daily provision teaches daily dependence, keeping you looking to him. Trust God for each day's provision, one day at a time, rather than being anxious to secure yourself against every tomorrow, as Israel gathered the manna a day's portion at a time and learned to depend on God daily; for God gives daily bread, and teaches us, through daily provision, to depend on him one day at a time.

Lord, when Israel, hungry in the wilderness, grumbles for food, you promise to provide, but in a particular way: I will rain bread from the sky 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. The manna was to be gathered daily; they could not hoard it up, but had to depend on you for each day's provision. And this daily gathering was itself a test of their trust: whether they would depend on you day by day. Show me how you gave the provision: daily, a day's portion at a time. You did not give them a great store to hoard; you gave them enough for each day, so that they had to look to you again each day. This daily provision taught daily dependence: they could not secure themselves by hoarding, but had to trust you for each day as it came. Take that daily dependence to my heart, for I too am given my provision day by day, and am taught to depend on you one day at a time. I would often prefer to have everything secured in advance; but you often give me what I need day by day, teaching me to look to you each day. Keep me from resenting that you give me my provision day by day rather than all at once; the daily provision teaches daily dependence. Help me trust you for each day's provision, one day at a time, Lord, rather than being anxious to secure myself against every tomorrow, as Israel gathered the manna a day's portion at a time.