Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." Isaiah 46:4
Text: Exodus 16 : 17-21
INITIAL OBEDIENCE
When the children of Israel first sighted the bread that God had especially provided, they were careful to follow instructions. The novelty of the experience caused most to be cautious and thus obedience was given!
“Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more,
some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered
much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.
Every man had gathered according to each one’s need.”
EXODUS 16:17-18
The children of Israel were hungry and they had just heard the latest word from the Lord. That prompted them to obey all instructions given to them!
PRONE TO DISOBEDIENCE!
Even as the people hurried to collect their quota, inevitably there would be some who would disobey!
“And Moses said, ‘Let no one leave any of it till morning.’
Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them
left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank.
And Moses was angry with them.”
EXODUS 16:19-20
Why was it always so hard to obey? Why was it always so much easier to disobey? Some perhaps doubted that this special provision could be duplicated again the next day, and thus they figured that it would be prudent to keep some for the next day! Man’s wisdom once again saw him coming short!
LEARNING OBEDIENCE ALL OVER AGAIN
Having the tent stink badly because of the bread turning rotten was not expected! No bread would breed worms the next day! But the children of Israel did not fully fathom the following factors:-
1. This special provision of bread was from a Divine source!
2. The nature or substance of the bread God had provided was different from that of ordinary bread! Much depends on obedience of man!
Moses had to teach the children of Israel a basic lesson – full obedience to God!
“So they gathered it every morning, every man according
to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted.”
EXODUS 16:21
Correction of that which is wrong is vital! Israel had to learn obedience well! The children if Israel really had no excuses to offer to the Lord for rank disobedience!