The latter part of chapter 15 relates the story of the waters of Marah (literally, “bitter”). The children of Israel needed water, but the waters at Marah were not drinkable. As was their custom by this time, the Israelites complained to Moses. He looked around, and found a branch he could put in the water to make it sweet (or drinkable). Then they were able to drink the water. Their next destination, Elim, had twelve wells of water, another sign of God’s plenteous provision.
Next, the Jews were complaining about not having food. Then God promised to send bread every morning. With the dew of the morning, God dropped a light bread that was similar to coriander seed on the ground. The Jews could gather it each morning, but could not store it for a second day. After a day, it would rot and smell horrible. The only day they could gather enough for two days was the day before the Sabbath. Then, in the evening, God sent quail all across the land, and the people could gather them in order to have meat. The provision of God was a daily blessing. The children of Israel could not store up the blessings, but had to trust God for each day.
Wow, a buffet provided free of charge and brought right to your own front door! God truly was committed to the well-being of His chosen people. He provided them food and water in a miraculous fashion. He gave them all that they asked for and then some. Moses re-established the significance of the Sabbath. He made sure that they knew that a day of rest was required for the honor of God and the recharge of the human soul. God then instructed them to put some of the Manna into a pot, and keep it in the Holy Place in the tabernacle. Miraculously, it did not spoil or rot, but instead lasted because God wanted it to be a memorial to God’s provision.
Two things stand out as a result of this story. First, God’s people continued to complain and even doubt God, even after they had seen the power of God and the miraculous protection and provision of God. Second, God, in His marvelous grace, continued to provide and protect even in the midst of their complaints. God provides for us over and over, and yet we often doubt God and do not believe that His hand is available to us. Instead of living in fear and doubt, remember the blessings of God, and know that His past blessings to us are the guarantee of His present and future blessings in our lives. Don’t forget what God has done, and you can believe for what God will do! Trust God for each day….
Devoted To You 