BREAD OF HEAVEN
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, use your Word to instruct and guide me. Please give me the conviction and courage I need to do your will.
Read EXODUS 16:1–16
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Manna and Quail
16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”
9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.
11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’”
Reflect
What circumstances have you been in that made trusting in the Lord seem a really hard thing to do? How did things turn out?After the refreshment of the 12 springs at Elim, the Israelites are fully engaged on their desert journey. It’s still not going well. The food they could bring with them from Egypt (see Exodus 12:34–39) is all gone and the hardships of Egypt have been forgotten. The pots of meat they had there dominate their thinking—presumably, they’d rather have died full than empty (v. 3)! The hungry people easily forget what God had done and need to be reminded that they are grumbling against God (v. 8).
God’s plan provides meat (migrating quail) and bread. He comes among the people (v. 10) and promises to feed them—and he feeds them generously (v. 16). It’s interesting to see that this too is intended as a test for the Israelites (vv. 4, 5).
It’s sad to see how quickly their circumstances make the Israelites change their minds about the Lord. From being their deliverer, someone worthy of great praise, they’re now wishing they were dead by his hand (v. 3). And how encouraging it is to see that, despite their grumbling and complaining, God acts with grace and mercy toward them.
Apply
Pray today for anyone who finds it hard to see how God can be in their circumstances, or who finds it hard to trust him in difficulties.
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, for the privilege that is mine to encourage others in their faith journey. Help me respond with compassion and wisdom where I am needed.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.