June 21, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 16 – Manna – God’s Daily Provision
Learning to Trust – in the Midst of the Wilderness
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Bible Text – Exodus 16 (KJV)
1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto 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.
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:
7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.
9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the Lord: for he hath heard your murmurings.
10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.
13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.
15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.
16 This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.
20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.
23 And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to day ye shall not find it in the field.
26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.
28 And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
29 See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
32 And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.
34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.
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Introduction
The story in Exodus 16 is one of the most powerful accounts of God’s daily provision and at the same time a mirror of human unbelief and impatience. In the wilderness—far from any human security—the Israelites experienced how God provided them with food day by day. Yet it also became clear how difficult it is to trust God when there’s no reserve and circumstances seem uncertain.
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Commentary
1. Grumbling in the Wilderness (vv. 1–3):
Only a month after leaving Egypt, the people began to complain. Hunger led them to idealize the past: “We had meat and bread in Egypt.” These words reveal how quickly need can push out gratitude. Instead of remembering God’s deliverance, they longed to return to slavery.
Lesson: In times of trouble, we often forget what God has already done.
2. God’s Response: Provision Despite Doubt (vv. 4–12):
God doesn’t react with punishment, but with patience. He promises manna and quail—food from heaven. But He combines provision with a test: they are to gather only enough for the day. Through this, God wanted to test their trust in Him.
Lesson: God provides—but He wants us to learn to trust Him daily.
3. The Manna Miracle – Fresh Each Day (vv. 13–21):
The manna appeared like dew on the ground—mysterious, gentle, sufficient. Whether someone gathered much or little, it was always enough. But those who tried to save it overnight found it rotting and full of worms. Only on the sixth day were they to gather a double portion for the Sabbath.
Lesson: God’s provision is not only generous—it is rhythmic and wise.
4. Sabbath and Trust (vv. 22–30):
There was no manna on the Sabbath—a clear sign that rest and trust belong together. God invites us to rest—not in our own certainty, but in His dependable care.
Lesson: The Sabbath reminds us: it is not we who carry life—God does.
5. A Reminder for the Future (vv. 31–36):
Moses is to preserve a jar of manna as a testimony for future generations. It’s meant to be a visible reminder of what God did invisibly—His daily miracle in the wilderness.
Lesson: God’s works are not to be forgotten, but remembered and passed on.
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Summary
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The people complain in their need—God responds with patience.
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Daily provision (manna) teaches dependence on God.
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The Sabbath is introduced as a day of trust and rest.
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A memorial (the jar of manna) is established to remind future generations of God’s faithfulness.
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Message for Us Today
This story is not just a look back at Israel’s past—it reflects our own lives. How often do we grumble when things don’t go as planned? How often do we long for security rather than trust in the present?
God wants to provide for us daily—maybe not always what we want, but always what we need.
Our role is to trust, give thanks, and rest.
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Reflection Questions
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Where am I experiencing “wilderness times” in my life right now?
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Where is my heart grumbling—even though God has been faithful many times before?
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Do I trust that God gives me my “daily bread”—even when I can’t store it up?
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How can the Sabbath help me to rest and experience God’s care more deeply?
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June 15 – 21, 2025
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 12
Abraham in Canaan
Read online here
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Introduction
After his return from Egypt, Abraham settles once again in Canaan. Wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold, it soon becomes clear: true prosperity requires selfless character and unwavering trust in God’s promises. Abraham demonstrates how faith, kindness, and reverence for God not only shape him, but also influence those around him and his entire legacy.
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Commentary
1.Return, Separation from Lot, and Humble Selflessness
Genesis 13:2–12: Abraham returns home “very rich” and peacefully shares the land with Lot. Although God promised him the entire region, he lets Lot choose first (cf. Gen 13:8–9). Lot chooses the fertile Jordan Valley, ignoring spiritual dangers. Abraham humbly withdraws to Hebron and builds an altar in Mamre.
2.Patriarch as a Bearer of Light: A Testimony in Canaan
- Genesis 13:13–17: Through his simple shepherd life in the highlands, Abraham exemplifies faith: hospitality, God-fearing conversation, trust in God’s protection. His character exerts a quiet yet powerful influence on the pagan rulers.
3.War to Rescue His Nephew: Justice and Nobility
- Genesis 14:1–16: After Lot is taken captive, Abraham leads 318 loyal men against the mighty Elamites. He rescues Lot and his family, without greedily taking from the spoils (Gen 14:22–23). His actions prove that faith is not cowardice, and that justly won freedom should not be used for personal gain.
4.Covenant with God: Star-Faith and Sacrificial Ceremony
- Genesis 15:1–21: Despite struggling with doubts about having an heir, Abraham shows deep faith: he looks at the stars and believes God’s word that his descendants will be as numerous (15:5–6). In the covenant ceremony, he walks between the sacrificed animals in a sign of unconditional obedience, while God Himself appears as a blazing flame (15:17–18).
5.Covenant of Circumcision and Name Change
- Genesis 17:1–27: God renews and confirms the covenant, giving Abraham and Sarah new names (“Father of many nations”, “Princess”) and institutes circumcision as an eternal sign of faith (Romans 4:11).
6.Hospitality and Intercession: From Tent to Prayer
- Genesis 18:1–33: In the oaks of Mamre, Abraham honors three heavenly visitors with exemplary hospitality (Heb 13:2). He learns of God’s plan for Sodom and intercedes boldly for the righteous (Gen 18:23–33), until God promises to spare the city for the sake of just ten righteous people.
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Summary
Abraham’s life in Canaan displays the many facets of true faith: generous selflessness (separation from Lot), convincing testimony (as a shepherd), courageous justice (rescuing Lot), steadfast covenant faith (counting stars and circumcision), and passionate intercession (for Sodom). Time and again, he demonstrates that God’s blessing and calling require a life of humility, obedience, and active love.
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Message for Us Today
Selfless generosity creates peace and opens space for God’s blessing.
Testimony through daily life speaks louder than words.
Steps of faith – even in doubt – lead to new promises.
Family and church thrive on visible signs and consistent obedience.
Intercession and hospitality reflect a heart that mirrors God’s love.
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Reflection Question
- Where can I, like Abraham, selflessly lay down my rights today to bring peace?
- In what “highland” of my daily habits do I shine as a biblical witness?
- What step of “star-counting” faith could I dare to take, even when my circumstances seem uncertain?
- How do I practice genuine hospitality and intercession in daily life, as Abraham did?
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/21-06-2025-exodus-chapter-16-believe-his-prophets/
