Exodus 16

Exodus 16:4

The manna fell from heaven in the manner of rain or slew; and by it God proved the Israelites; tried whether miraculous favours would induce them to an exact observation of his laws

Exodus 16:5

It was the sixth day of the week on which the double portion of manna was gathered; but whether it was the sixth after the Hebrews murmured, and sixth of the fall of the manna, is not certain

Exodus 16:11

Ver. 10. While the cloud marched before them into the wilderness an extraordinary brightness appeared in it

Exodus 16:16

Every man had about five English pints of it allotted him for his daily provision

Exodus 16:18

The provision for a family was put into a common stock, and the sector measured out to each his share

Exodus 16:19

To prevent a superstitious keeping of it, and to cause them always to exist in God for more, none of it was to be kept over the night

Exodus 16:22

The rulers told Moses: observant of God’s kindness, and that they might receive directions how to dispose of this double portion

Exodus 16:23

They might not dress manna on the sabbath, as it required a great deal of labour to grind and bake it; Numb. xi. 8

Exodus 16:29

On the sabbath no one was allowed to travel, except to the public worship of God, or about works of necessity and mercy. 10 Ver

Exodus 16:34

It was not till about ten months after that this potful of manua was laid up before the tables of the law, on the foreside of the ark. CHAP. XVI. Ver. 5. The elders of the people were to witness Moses’ bringing forth water from the rock, and to report it to the people. Ver. 6. God stood above the rock in the pillar of cloud, the token of his presence, to shew that it was his powerful influence, not Moses’ stroke, that brought forth the water.—This rock, it is reported, remains visible till this day, as a kind of large stone, with twelve or twenty-four openings, in the valley of Rephidim. Ver. 8. Whether these Amalekites were in league with the Egyptians, or were Canaanites, or Edomites; or whether they attacked them merely for the sake of the riches they had brought out of Egypt; we know not. Ver. 9. Moses stood on the top of the hill, in view of the Israelites, with his wonder-working rod lifted up as their banner, and as a token of the Lord’s presence with and assistance of them. Ver. 11. This different success, answerable to Moses’ elevation of his hands and rod, marked the power and efficacy of prayer; and that they could do nothing but as God encouraged and strengthened them. Ver. 12. This marked the human weakness of Moses; and that Christ, by presence and Spirit, must help our infirmities in prayer. Ver. 14. Joshua was to hear it, as he and his successors, who commanded armies of Israel, were to watch every opportunity of destroying the Amalekites. Ver. 15. The design of this altar was to commemorate the victory divided bestowed, and to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving thereupon

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVI. —Our comfortable glances of prosperity on earth soon change and pass away; while fresh difficulties produce fresh murmurings; and discontent vilities what it has, and magnities what it haseth or desires. But how criminal to distrust God’s goodness and power, to despair of mercy and life, whenever we are brought into straits! and to murmur desperately, after God hath wrought wonders for our relief! Observe, all abuse of his servant’s strikes against God himself; and noted displays of his glory shall effectually check the murmurs of presumptuous sinners, and vindicate the faithful messengers of Christ! But for the children of God to disquiet their minds about temporal necessaries, when their heavenly Father can with a word supply them with every thing useful, is both foolish and highly offensive. Bread shall be given them, 11 and their water shall be sure. So transcendent is his kindness, that he bestows on wicked murmurers, not only necessaries, but even delicacies. Amidst prudent care and diligent activity to make provision for myself, it becomes me to beware of covetousness or sinful distrust; to live always contented with bare necessaries for the time, and depend upon God for what may be needful hereafter. Never let any earthly gain prevent my sanctification of the sabbath. If, from regard to its honour, I deny myself, the Lord of it will assuredly make up my loss, and be my exceeding great reward. But if the Lord hath shewed me his great kindness, let me treasure it up in my heart for grateful remembrance through all my life.—In this manna I contemplate Jesus the true bread—Jesus the bread of life. He is the free gift of God to murmuring and rebellious sinners, starving to eternal death. In the camp of the visible church he comes down from heaven, in the dewy ordinances and offers of the gospel, early, daily, and plentifully. Small, and contented by many, and unknown to most, he is the divinely prepared, the mysterious, the pure, the sweet, the wholesome, the all-sufficient, and all-suitable nourishment of our souls; which God liberally and constantly distributes to us, and which we ought early, earnestly, and daily, to receive, each for ourselves; and the more so as we approach towards the eternal state, in which we shall have no further offers of his grace. And, as he was bruised in the mortar and mill of his Father’s indignation, and baken in the oven of his wrath, let me receive him into a wounded conscience and a broken heart, as the grand restorative and nourisher to eternal life