10-13-19 Today in the Word

Freed for a Purpose
PROVISION AND VICTORY
Sunday, October 13, 2019 | Exodus 15:22–17:16

Have you ever been curious about the “manna” God provided the Israelites? What was it? What did it taste like? Many scholars have tried to give a natural explanation to this miraculous food. Was it algae that grew in the desert when there was dew? Was it the bark, twigs, leaves, or sap of tamarisk bushes or another plant? Was it sweet, sticky secretions left behind by insects on desert plants? But all of these naturalistic explanations fail to account for the manna’s daily renewal (and double before the Sabbath), among other factors. Manna was a supernatural provision—a daily miracle that lasted through 40 years in the wilderness.
After ten plagues and one Red Sea crossing, you might think God deserved a break from Israel’s grumbling. Surely He’d earned their trust! But the people had short spiritual memories. They rarely remembered all that God had done for them, but instead, often carried the attitude: “What have you done for me lately?”
In today’s reading, God provided five times for His thankless people. First, He provided water by making a bitter spring drinkable. Second, He provided quail meat in such quantities that it “covered the camp.” Third, as mentioned, He provided manna or “bread from heaven” (16:4). Fourth, He provided water again, this time through Moses striking a rock. And fifth, He provided victory over the Amalekites, who had hoped for an easy win over these recently liberated slaves.
Manna in particular showed God’s faithful love and care for His people. They didn’t deserve it, given their grumbling and disobedience. But God’s purpose for these slow learners was that they “know that I am the Lord your God” (16:12). Jesus had in mind this same narrative when He prayed, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11).
APPLY THE WORD
When it’s “those complaining Israelites,” the lack of faith is easy to see. But what about us? Do we remember God’s past blessings and rescues? Or are we nagging Him with the next item on our wishlist? In light of Paul’s exhortation to learn from Israel’s history (1 Cor. 10:1–5), consider devoting your prayer time today to praise and gratitude.
PRAY WITH US
Lord, we want to praise you and thank you for who you are, not for what you do for us. Father, we want to be grateful people, not grumbling people. May the example of the Israelites in today’s reading be a warning and a reminder for us.

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