Exodus
16:2-15— In response to the people’s
complaint that they had no food, the Lord sends food from heaven. Only a few
weeks after deliverance from Egypt the people complain about the lack of food.
They murmur against Moses and Aaron, but God knows that they complain about
Him. They doubt whether the Lord cares about them and His ability to provide
for them. In response to their complaints the Lord sends quail in the evening
and bread, “manna,” in the morning.
To this day the Manna is a mystery – “What
is it?” Moses answered, “it is the bread the Lord has given you to
eat.” By this the people are to know that He is their God.
Didn’t the Israelites in the wilderness have a right
to murmur against Moses and the LORD? They followed His leader out of Egypt
where at least, they had food, but now they were starving. They had reason to
complain, but they went about getting food in the wrong way. Instead of
complaining, why did they not discuss their needs with Moses and take it to God
in prayer? Their complaining reveals a lack of faith in the LORD’s hearing and
answering prayer.
The LORD’s glory appeared in a cloud. Like a cloud,
the LORD is mysterious and hidden – one can’t see much when fly in a cloud or
driving in a fog. The LORD is the unknowable an hidden God. Yet, as the cloud
indicated, God is ever present. His glory appears when he comes to the rescue
of his people, who are in need. His glory is seen best in the cross where the
LORD in his Son saves the world.[2]
Collect for
Proper 13 –Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life.
Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be
nourished unto life everlasting;; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]
-28 July 2021—
[1] Loaves and Fish, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for Proper 13, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St Louis
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