EXODUS 16
They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” – Exodus 16:1-5
EXODUS 16 ON GRUMBLING ISRAELITES & GOD’S RESPONSE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As the people moved deeper into the wilderness between Elim and Sinai
Hunger began to consume the Israelites and they began to grumble
They regretted leaving Egypt where they didn’t go hungry
Even though they were enslaved in oppressive labor, they were nourished
So, God’s response to this was the promise of bread from heaven
But it was also a test for the Israelites to depend on his provision.
It is interesting what hunger can to us humans. There is now a condition called “hangry” which is irritability and anger due to having an empty stomach. According to researchers there is a link between hunger and irritability due to low levels of blood sugar and the hormones released as a result. Could it be that this was true as well among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness?
Food is one of our basic needs, but when it becomes the reason for living, it becomes an addiction. In the case of the Israelites, they have forgotten that they were oppressed and forced to do hard labor. Because of the scarcity of food during their journey, they began to imagine how it was when they had food despite the harsh treatment they got from the Egyptians. The lust of the flesh overtook them and they forgot what God did for them.
REFLECTION
- Share how hunger could make us grumble and affect our walk with God.
