Special Treats

Manna and Quail

Timeline

• 15th of 1st month (Num 33:3-4): Israel leaves Egypt

• 15th of 2nd month: Manna and Quail (Ex 16:1)

• 3rd new moon (i.e. 1st of the 3rd month): Israel reaches Sinai (Ex 19:1)

Timeline• The Israelites take one week to gather manna

(Ex 16), from about the 15th to the 22nd • This leaves only one week for the events of Ex

17-18!1. Travel to Rephidim 2. Receive water from the rock (17:5-7)3. Defeat the Amalekites in battle (17:8-16)4. Set up a judicial structure whereby the cases of

the Israelites can be judged (Ex 18)5. Leave Rephidim and travel to Sinai

Rebellions in the Desert1. Water at Marah (Ex 15:23-26)2. Manna (Ex 16)3. Water at Rephidim (Ex 17:1-7)4. Golden Calf (Ex 32)5. Israelites at Taberah (Num 11:1-3)6. Rabble at Kibroth-hattaavah (Num 11:4-35)7. Miriam and Aaron (Num 12)8. Response to Spies (Num 14)9. Korah (Num 16)10. Water at Meribah (Num 20:2-13)11. Bronze Serpent (Num 21:4-9)12. Worship of Baal at Peor (Num 25)

Motivations for Rebellion

• Five rebellions motivated by concern for physical sustenance (Manna, Water at Rephidim and Meribah, Rabble, Bronze Serpent)

• Two rebellions motivated by religious compromise (Golden Calf, Baal Peor)

• Two rebellions motivated by leadership concerns (Miriam and Aaron, Korah)

• Taberah—we know only that they complained; Spies’ rebellion was motivated by fear

The Murmuring (Ex 16:1-3)

• Murmuring at Marah (Ex 15:23-26)– Notice that “the people murmured” (v. 24)– Which people?

• Murmuring at Sin (Ex 16)– Notice the “whole congregation murmured” (v. 2)

• Lesson: Murmuring spreads quickly and aggressively

The Murmuring

• The Israelites wish for death in Egypt (v. 3)– Do they remember life in Egypt?—Ex 2:23!

• The Israelites accuse Moses of being a murderer (v. 3)– Yet they wish to return to Pharaoh, a real

murderer! (Ex 1:15ff)

• Lesson: Murmuring is often irrational

How to Respond to Murmuring

• Jesus Responds to Rejection: Luke 9:51-56– Consider the source of the murmuring– Do not react emotionally and immediately– Walk away

• God does not deny the people what they want– He offers them both bread and meat with restrictions:

(1) they must collect it; (2) they must gather only a certain amount

• Lesson: when people complain, put them to work!

Purpose Behind the Response

• To confirm God’s deliverance (Ex 16:6)– God delivers us

• To confirm God’s audience (Ex 16:7)– God hears us

• To confirm God’s service through Moses and Aaron (Ex 16:8)– God needs servants

• Lesson: God is ever present with his people

Conclusion

• Even though a negative (murmuring) prompted the manna and quail, God made it a positive

• It would be less than two weeks before the Israelites would complain again

• Why did God choose this generation, rebellious and stubborn?