The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 36

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 4-16.-The gift of Manna. Quails also were given, on this occasion in mercy, and on a later occasion in wrath (Num. xi. 31-34); but it was the manna which was the principal gift, both as providing Israel with a continuous supply of food, and as having a permanent significance in the history of God's dealings with his Church (vers. 32---35). I. 'l'HE M.u.-i..&. PROMISED (vers. 4-9). 1. God would rain lYreadfrom heaven for them (ver. 4). He would spread a table for them, even in the wilderness, a thing they had deemed impossible (Ps. lx.xviii. 19). He would give them to eat of "the corn of heaven" (Ps. lxviii. 24). He would thus display himself as Jehovah,-the God of cxhaustless resources,-a.ble and willing to supply all their need (cf. Phil. iv. 19). He "ould remove from himself the reproach wherewith they had reproached him, that he had brought them into the wildemel!s, "to kill this whole assembly with hunger" (ver. 3). He would testify of his loving care for them (cf. Deut. i. 31). 2. The supply t,11ould be continuous-" Every day" (ver. 4). The regularity of the supply would be a daily proof of God's faithfulness-another of the Jehovah attributes. We have a :;imilar proof of the Divine faithfulness in the constancy of the laws of nature on which our own supplies of food depend; in particular, in the regular succession of seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, which God has promised to main- tain (Gen. viii. 22 ; cf. Ps. cxix. 89--92). 3. The gift of quails and manna would be «J manifestation of his glory as Jehovah (vers. 6, 7; also ver. 12-" and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God"). His Jehovah character would be revealed in it. Note, in addition to what •is said above, the following illustrations of this. (1) The gift of manna was an act of free origination. Compare with Christ's multiplication of the loaves, brought in John vi into close association with this miracle. (2) So far as natural materials were utilised. in the production of the manna (dew, etc.), it was shown how absolutely plastic nature was in the hands of its Creator. (3) 'l'he gift of quails was a further testimony to God's supreme rule in nature. (4) It was a special feature in this transaction that God was seen in it acting solely from himself-finding the law and reason of what he did in himself alone. He interposes with a simple "I will" (ver. 4). It was neither the people's merits nor the people's prayers, which moved him to give the manna.. Merits they had none; prayers they did not offer. But God, who brought them out of Egypt, and had bound himself by covenant with their fathers, found a reason in h.i.mself for helping them, when he could find none in them (cf. Deut. ix. 4, 5). He showed them this kindness for his own name's sake (cf. Ps. cvi. 8); because he was Jehovah, who changed not (MaL iiL 6). 4. The gift of manna would proue a trial of obedience (ver. 4). God bound himself to send the manna day by day, and this would be a test of his faithfulness. But rules would be prescribed to the people for gathering the manna, and this would be a test of tlieir obedience. God'H design in giving the manna was thus not merely to supply the people's natural wants. He would also train them to dependence. He would test their characters. He would endeavour to form them to habits of obedience. A like educative and disciplinary purpose is to be recognised as bound up with all God's leading of us. Gifts are at the same time trw;ts. They impose duties upon us, and lay us under responsibilities. There are rules to be observed in the use of them which test our inner dispositions. '.!'here is a law of tcm1ierance in the use of en. XVI. 4-10.] TUE BOOK OF EXODUS. 37