The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 46

cheering none the less in the expression-" I will rain bread from heaven." 1. They shall have bread. He does not yet tell Moses what shape the bread will take; but the people shall have something t.o sustain them, and that something in sufficient quantity. 2. The bread shall be rained f,·om heaven. We do not read that Moses repeated this expression t.o the Israelites; but it must have been very cheering to himself. The words "rain" and "heaven" were enough t.o put fresh courage into the man. Then we find too that when the promise came to be fulfilled, these words were not taken in a figurative way. The manna came with the dew, and when the dew disappeared thero the manna lay, waiting t.o be gathered. Hence for the supply of bread the people were to look heavenwal"d; and doubtless Moses himself did so look. In whatsoever part of the wilderness they might be, however sterile and unpromising the earth was below, the same heavens stretched out above them, distilling from their treasuries the daily manna. The contrast is thus very striking between the varying earth and the un- changing, exhaustless hea,en; and as to the rain, we may be very sure that when God says, "I will rain," he means a copious and adequate shower. But even in this imme- diate promise of copious giving Jehovah combines demands with gifts. If there is grea1; grace, there are great expectations. He gives and at the same time he asks. He points out to Moses the manner in which the food was t.o be gathered. Though given copiously, it was not therefore given carelessly; nor was it to be used carelessly. It was given on certain principles and with certain restrictions, so as to be not only the means of staying hunger but of disciplining Israel at the same time. In eating bread, they were t.o learn habitual faith and habitual and exact obedience. God is ever showing men how he can make one thing to serve more purposes than one. III. THE EXPOSTULATIONS OF MOSES AND AA.BON WITH THE PEOPLE (vers. 6-'-10). Though it is not expressly said that he spoke thus by Jehovab's instructions, yet these remonstrances evidently accorded with his will. For the people to complain as they did was not only an unjust thing to Moses; it was also a perilous thing for themselves. 'l'hey could not thus vent their spleen on the visible Moses without despising th11 invisible God. Their insult to their brother man on earth was as nothing compared with their insult to J chovah on high. And, indeed, we cannot too much consider that all murmuring, when it is brought to its ultimate ground and effects, is a reproach against God. For it is either a complaint because we cannot get our own way, or it is an impeachment of God's way as not being a loving and a wise one. What a different scene life would become, how much more equable, serene and joyous, if we could only take the invisible as well as the visible into all our thoughts. The people felt the lack of bread, the loss of Egypt, the hardships of a life unfamiliar and unprepared for; and Moses could sympathise with all these feelings; although of course, after forty years of shepherd life in Midian, the hardships his brethren complained of were as nothing to him. But at the same time, Moses felt very keenly what many of his brethren did not feel at all, the mysterious presence of God. More and more distinctly would the words now be rising to his mind, "Ye shall serve God upon this mountain" (eh. iii. 12); for the cloud was taking the multitude nearer and nearer t.o Sinai. It is very significant of the feeling in Moses' mind that he dwells on this charge of murmuring, returning to the word again and again. He wanted these people who so felt the pangs of hunger t.o be equally sensitive t.o the perils of impiety. Jehovah had heard their reckless speeches as well as Moses; and now, in recognition, he was about to make manifest his glorious presence. The connection of the cloud with himself was t.o be proved by the appearing of his glory in it. What the people found fault with was that they had been guided wrong: and now the nature of the guidance stands out, distinct, impressive, and full of warning. He who found fault with Moses really found fault with Jehovah. Remember the words of Jesus : " He that despiseth you despiseth me ; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." (Luke x. 16.) If we presumptuously neglect the apostle- ship of any one, we have t.o do with the Bei1;lg who m34e him an apostle. Wherefore we should show all diligence t.o keep murmurrng off our lips; and the only effectual way is to keep it out of our hearts by filling them with a continual sense of the presence of God. Instead of murmurin" let there be honest shame because of the selfishness that runs riot in our hearts. G;d can do everything to make our lives joyous, and banish causes of complaint for ever, if only we will take right and suflicient views of his pur!JOSes luward us and l,is claims upon us. ' CII. XVI. 11, 12.] Trm TIOOK OF F:XODUS. 47