Exodus 16

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God’s Provision of Manna

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The manna was given to provide for God’s people.

  2. The manna was given to test God’s people.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Tell your children about the manna.

QUESTIONS

  1. After the Children of Israel left lush Elim, they began to grumble again. What did they wish for?

  2. How did God provide for the Israelites’ hunger?

  3. What does the word “manna” mean?

  4. What “first” occurs in this chapter?

  5. How was God’s provision of manna a test for the people? Did they pass the test?

ANSWERS

  1. They wished not to return to Elim, but to Egypt!

  2. He gave them quail for meat and sent manna every day.

  3. Manna means “what is it?” This is all the Israelites could say when they saw this bread from heaven.

  4. At the end of Exodus 16 we see the first mention of the Sabbath in the Bible. The Israelites were to follow God’s pattern of working for six days and resting on the seventh.

  5. The people were tested as to whether they would obey God’s rules for gathering the manna, and whether they would be satisfied with what God provided. The Israelites failed this test.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Manna, this bread from heaven, was a type of Jesus Christ. As the manna was given to provide for the physical needs of God’s people, so Christ, who is the true bread from heaven was given by God to provide for the spiritual needs of His people. John 6:48-51. Discuss how Christ is not only God’s provision for our salvation, but for our spiritual sustenance as well.

  2. God has provided you with His Word to meet your spiritual needs. Discuss how you can develop the habit of turning to God’s Word when you need these needs met.

CHALLENGE

  1. How can you spiritually nourish your children this week?

KEY VERSES

  • “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.’” Exodus 16:4

  • “So the people rested on the seventh day.” Exodus 16:30

  • “I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” John 6:51