Exodus 16:27-36; 17.
SOME of the people did not pay much attention to what Moses had said, for they went out on the morning of the next day, which was the Sabbath, looking for the manna as usual. Of course they did not find any. Why did not God send any manna on the seventh day? This is the first time we have read of that day since the second chapter of Genesis. It was after six days of work that God rested on the seventh day. And He wanted His people to share His rest. He has finished a greater work than creation, and He wants everyone to believe it, and trust Him about it. Do you know what that work is?
The manna was food from heaven. God gives the saved ones food from heaven, now, but it is not the same kind. The food now is food for our souls, and it is the Word of God, the story of Jesus and His love to us. So the Lord is our spiritual food, as we read about Him, think about Him, try to do what will please Him, and we get spiritual strength in that way.
Some of the manna was put away to be kept always. By and by the people would have other food, the food of the country they were going to, but they were never to forget the food of the desert. And while they were going through the desert, they were to gather it every morning.
Christians ought to read God’s Word, enough to get “food” for the day out of it, every morning, I think, don’t you? And when we are in the home, made ready for those who love Jesus, we shall always remember how good it was to know Him in this world.
The seventeenth chapter tells us of more complaints. There was no water, and the people said again that they had just been taken out of Egypt to be killed. What wicked hearts, tempting God again, and so soon! You see they thought about the troubles on the way, and not about the One who had engaged to bring them all the way to the better land.
The rock had to be struck with Moses’ rod, and then out of it gushed the grateful stream of water to satisfy the thirst of every one, and all their animals too. O, this story tells us again of Jesus. He had to be struck with the rod of judgment in order that we might drink of the water of life. Yes, He had to die the death of the cross for our sakes.
Next, enemies came, the Amalekites, to fight with the people, and as long as Moses’ hands were upheld the battle went for them; but when his hands sank down from weariness, the battle went for their enemies. How good it is that we can have God to fight our battles, if we only take our troubles to Him! The Amalekites were to be destroyed, and the people gather around an altar called Jehovah Nissi, The Lord my banner. Surely He was their guardian, all the way.
ML 02/19/1922