Exodus 16 - 4.26.2024
Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.
Exodus 16:35
The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?
I don’t think I have ever eaten the same thing over and over again for forty days let alone forty years. Even my most favorite foods come close to losing their title of ‘favorite’ when eaten over and over again. But perhaps satisfying Israel’s taste buds at the time of Exodus 16 was low on God’s lists of priorities. As God delivers justice to His people’s cries for it in Luke 18, our Lord Jesus asks,, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
My parents provided for me, cared for me, and loved me, but it still took so long, too long, for me to develop a genuine gratefulness and caring for them that went beyond the obligatory “I love you mom” and “I love you dad” statements. My shortcomings and selfishness were simply overshadowed by their love for me.
And that’s why I identify with the Israelites in exodus 16. While my brain says I would have done so much better had I personally experienced all of those miracles, remembering my childhood and all the various terrible perspectives I’ve had in my life tells me otherwise. As the Israelites had been delivered from slavery, experienced God's miracles, and spent time with God’s literal presence, they were still lacking belief/faith/love. And I am not sure I would have been any different had I been in that camp as a younger less mature version of myself.
Application - How will you apply this to your life?
Lord, what set Joshua and Caleb apart from the rest of their generation? Why were they so quick to have faith in you when everyone else would not? How can I build my faith in you today, Lord? Please show me?
Prayer - Write out a prayer.
Lord, I don’t want to spend the rest of my days grumbling over something that is low priority. Help my spirit to see what the greater goal is. Help me not to be so blind that I miss all the miracles you have sent my way. As the Israelites got to spend all that time in your presence and completely missed it, may I, may my family, may we all not spend our lives that way, like petulant children who spend a lifetime blindly observing miracles, only to have eternity pass us by. Wake me up, please Holy Spirit. Help me to see! Help me to build my faith, please oh Lord! In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen.
-kenneth lee
