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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?