Exodus 16, 17 & 18: God's Provision and Guidance in the Wilderness: Manna, Miracles, and Leadership
Prayer is powerful, but sometimes obedience looks like taking the next step—even when the path ahead is unclear.
In Exodus 14:15 teaches us that there’s a time to pray—and a time to move. When God told Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on,” it was a clear call to act in faith even when the way ahead seemed impossible. This verse reminds us that while prayer is vital, faith is often demonstrated by stepping forward in obedience, trusting that God will make a way as we go.
Provision in the Wilderness: God’s Grace Amid Grumbling
Exodus 16:1-36 The people grumble for food - As they journeyed through the desert region to the southeast of the Bitter Lakes, the cruelty and suffering of Egypt were quickly forgotten when the people became hungry. They even suggested that it would have been better for them to have died by the LORD's hand in Egypt, rather than starve in the desert (3-4). In response, God graciously sent quails in the evening (13) and a breadlike substance in the morning; the latter was called manna because the people said, What [Heb. Man] is it? (31, 15). God tested the Israelites by issuing certain stipulations concerning the collection and storage of the manna (4-5, 16, 23). To demonstrate their faith in God's provision, the people were not supposed to keep any manna from one day to the next (19). However, on the sixth day of the week, Friday, double the quantity of manna was to be collected and prepared, for the next day (the Sabbath) was to be a day of rest. These instructions were not heeded by some of the people (20, 28). Although they had been delivered from the Egyptians by remarkable displays of God's power, some still lacked total commitment and loyalty to him. As the exodus story reveals, the Israelites frequently displayed their obstinacy towards God. Nevertheless, such is the constancy of God that he provides manna for the next forty years; only when the people settled in the land of Canaan did the manna cease (35-36). As a testimony to future generations, an omer of manna was preserved in a jar (33).
Exodus 16:3-5, 13, 15-16, 19-20, 23, 28, 31, 33, 35-36 CSB: [3] The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger! ” [4] Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. [5] On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” [13] So at evening quail came and covered the camp. In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. [15] When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it? ” because they didn’t know what it was. Moses told them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. [16] This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each person needs to eat. You may take two quarts per individual, according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.’ ” [19] Moses said to them, “No one is to let any of it remain until morning.” [20] But they didn’t listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. Therefore Moses was angry with them. [23] He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’ ” [28] Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and instructions? [31] The house of Israel named the substance manna. , It resembled coriander seed, was white, and tasted like wafers made with honey. [33] Moses told Aaron, “Take a container and put two quarts of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be preserved throughout your generations.” [35] The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate manna until they reached the border of the land of Canaan. [36] (They used a measure called an omer, which held two quarts.)
In the NT, Jesus compares himself with the manna divinely provided in the wilderness: 'I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51; 6:48-58).
John 6:51 CSB: I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.
John 6:48-58 CSB: [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” [52] At that, the Jews argued among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat? ” [53] So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. [54] The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, [55] because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. [56] The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. [57] Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your ancestors ate and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Water from the Rock: God’s Faithfulness in the Face of Doubt
17:1-7 The people grumble for water - A further dispute between the Israelites and Moses occurred at Rephidim because of a lack of water. The conflict was settled when Moses, following divine instructions, used his staff to produce water from a rock (6). Whereas in the previous episode, God had tested the Israelites (16:4), now they tested him by their lack of trust (2, 7). Because of their actions, the place was called Massah and Meribah, 'testing and quarrelling' (7; v2). Paul refers to this incident in 1 Corinthians 10:3-4, suggesting that the pre-existent Christ was the one who sustained the people with food and water.
Exodus 17:2, 6-7 CSB: [2] So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why are you complaining to me? ” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the Lord? ” [6] I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] He named the place Massah and Meribah , because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not? ”
Exodus 16:4 CSB: [4] Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.
**1 Corinthians 10:3-4 CSB: [**3] They all ate the same spiritual food, [4] and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.
Victory Through Intercession: The Battle Against the Amalekites
17:8-16 The defeat of the Amalekites - An attack by the Amalekites led to a battle between them and the Israelites. Once again, the staff of God in the hands of Moses played a symbolic role in giving the Israelites victory. When Moses held it aloft, Joshua and the Israelites were successful in overcoming the Amalekites. Through the incidents which occurred immediately following their escape from Egypt, God proved himself more than capable of meeting the needs of the Israelites.
Wisdom and Worship: Jethro’s Visit and the Call to Shared Leadership
18:1-27 The visit of Jethro - Two factors may indicate that the events recorded in this chapter may have taken place at a later date. First, the reference to the mountain of God in v 5 suggests that the Israelites had already arrived at Sinai (Exodus 19:1-2). Secondly, the account of Jethro encouraging Moses to appoint judges may presuppose that God's laws and decrees had already been entrusted to the people (Deuteronomy 1:9-18). However, these arguments are not conclusive, and the events of chapter Exodus 18 could have occurred before the arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 19:1-2 CSB: [1] In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. [2] They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain.
Deuteronomy 1:9-18 CSB: [9] “I said to you at that time: I can’t bear the responsibility for you on my own. [10] The Lord your God has so multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky. [11] May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as he promised you. [12] But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes by myself? [13] Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders. [14] “You replied to me, ‘What you propose to do is good.’ [15] “So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: commanders for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes. [16] I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or his resident alien. [17] Do not show partiality when deciding a case; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it. [18] At that time I commanded you about all the things you were to do.
In either case, the narrative is linked thematically to the surrounding chapters: First, the visit of Jethro contrasts sharply with the previous account of the attack by the Amalekites. Jethro, as representative of the Midianites, adopted a positive approach towards the Israelites and acknowledged God's sovereign power (10-11). Secondly, this episode prepares for the following chapters by focusing on (i) the marvellous way in which God delivered the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and (ii) the importance of God's decrees and laws. Whereas the latter anticipates the legal material given in chapters Exodus 21-23, the former emphasises the basis of the covenant relationship established in chapters Exodus 19-24 (cf 19:4-6; 20:2). The divine rescue of the Israelites is highlighted directly by the remarks of Jethro, and indirectly by the comment concerning the name of Moses' second son, Eliezer, for he said 'My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh' (4).
Exodus 18:4, 10-11 CSB: [4] and the other Eliezer (because he had said, “The God of my father was my helper and rescued me from Pharaoh’s sword”). [10] “Blessed be the Lord,” Jethro exclaimed, “who rescued you from the power of Egypt and from the power of Pharaoh. He has rescued the people from under the power of Egypt! [11] Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because he did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.”
Exodus 19:4-6 CSB: [4] ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. [5] Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, [6] and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”
Exodus 20:2 CSB: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
The latter part of the chapter portrays Moses judging the disputes which arose among the Israelites. Jethro's advice to Moses on the need to delegate authority led to establishing a hierarchical structure for resolving conflicts (25-26). The example of Moses delegating authority to others is a fitting reminder that within the life of the church, we need to share tasks so that no single individual is unduly burdened. Those in positions of leadership should also be prepared to entrust others with meaningful responsibilities.
Exodus 18:25-26 CSB: [25] So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. [26] They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case themselves.