Movatterモバイル変換

Manna and Quail from Heaven
1On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt, the whole congregation of Israel set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai.2And there in the desertthey allgrumbledagainstMosesand Aaron.3“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”…

Treasury of Scripture

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

Exodus 15:24
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Genesis 19:4
But before they lay down, the men of the city,even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

Psalm 106:7,13,25
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provokedhim at the sea,even at the Red sea…

AaronAssemblyChildrenCommunityCompanyCongregationCryingDesertGrumbledIsraelMosesMurmurMurmuredWasteWholeWildernessAaronAssemblyChildrenCommunityCompanyCongregationCryingDesertGrumbledIsraelMosesMurmurMurmuredWasteWholeWilderness1.The Israelites come to Sin, and murmur for want of bread
4.God promises them bread and meat from heaven, and they are rebuked
13.Quail and manna are sent
16.The ordering of manna
25.It was not to be found on the Sabbath
32.An omer of it is preserved

And there in the desert
The desert, or wilderness, refers to the Sinai Peninsula, a harsh and barren landscape. This setting is significant as it represents a place of testing and reliance on God. The Israelites' journey through the desert is a period of transformation from slavery in Egypt to becoming a covenant people. The desert is often symbolic of spiritual trials and purification, as seen in other biblical narratives such as Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

the whole congregation of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the unity and collective experience of the Israelites. The term "congregation" indicates the assembly of God's chosen people, highlighting their identity as a community bound by the covenant with Yahweh. This collective identity is crucial throughout the Pentateuch, as it underscores the communal nature of their relationship with God and their shared destiny. The unity of the congregation is also a precursor to the New Testament concept of the Church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

grumbled against Moses and Aaron
Grumbling or murmuring is a recurring theme in the Exodus narrative, reflecting the Israelites' lack of faith and trust in God's provision. Moses and Aaron, as leaders appointed by God, often bear the brunt of the people's complaints. This grumbling is not merely dissatisfaction but a challenge to God's authority and plan. It foreshadows the Israelites' continued struggles with obedience and faithfulness, which are addressed throughout the Old Testament. The grumbling also serves as a warning to believers about the dangers of ingratitude and unbelief (Hebrews 3:7-19).

Moses and Aaron
Moses and Aaron are central figures in the Exodus story, representing God's chosen leaders for the deliverance and guidance of Israel. Moses, as the prophet and lawgiver, and Aaron, as the high priest, prefigure the roles of Christ as both the ultimate prophet and high priest (Hebrews 3:1-6, 4:14-16). Their leadership is divinely ordained, and their experiences highlight the challenges and responsibilities of spiritual leadership. Moses' intercession for the people and Aaron's role in the priesthood point to the mediatory work of Christ on behalf of humanity.

1.The Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the desert.

2.The Desert of Sin
A geographical location between Elim and Sinai where the Israelites camped and experienced hunger.

3.Moses
The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness.

4.Aaron
Moses' brother and spokesperson, who assisted in leading the Israelites.

5.Grumbling
The act of complaining or expressing dissatisfaction, which the Israelites directed towards Moses and Aaron.Trust in God's Provision
The Israelites' grumbling reflects a lack of trust in God's ability to provide. Believers today are called to trust in God's provision, even in difficult circumstances.

The Danger of Complaining
Grumbling can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of gratitude. Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness.

Leadership Challenges
Moses and Aaron faced criticism despite their obedience to God. Leaders today can learn to remain steadfast in their calling, even when facing opposition.

Faith in the Wilderness
The desert represents times of testing and growth. Believers can view their own "desert" experiences as opportunities to deepen their faith.

Community Influence
The collective grumbling of the Israelites shows how negativity can spread. Christians are encouraged to be positive influences within their communities.1.What is the meaning of Exodus 16:2?

2.How does Exodus 16:2 illustrate the Israelites' lack of trust in God?

3.What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' grumbling in Exodus 16:2?

4.How does Exodus 16:2 connect to Philippians 2:14 about avoiding complaints?

5.In what ways can we avoid grumbling in our daily walk with God?

6.How can Exodus 16:2 inspire gratitude in challenging circumstances today?

7.Why did the Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron in Exodus 16:2?

8.How does Exodus 16:2 reflect human nature's tendency to complain?

9.What does Exodus 16:2 reveal about the Israelites' faith in God?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 16?

11.What are the Bible's teachings on complaining?

12.What is the Wilderness of Sin in the Bible?

13.Why didn't Israelites eat their livestock in the wilderness?

14.Why grumble when gratitude brings peace and joy?And there in the desert

– The “desert” is the Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1), a barren stretch between Elim and Sinai.

– After the Red Sea victory (Exodus 15:1–21) and the bitter-water episode at Marah (Exodus 15:22-25), God intentionally leads His people deeper into a place where supplies are scarce (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

– Scripture often shows the desert as a classroom for faith: Hagar (Genesis 21:14-19), Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-8), even Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).

– In1 Corinthians 10:5-6 Paul reminds believers that “their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” as a warning to us not to crave evil. The geography underscores the lesson—God’s people must learn dependence when comforts are gone.

---

the whole congregation of Israel

– “Whole” means no tribe or clan was exempt; murmuring spread through the camp like yeast (Galatians 5:9).

– Earlier, only “the people” grumbled about water (Exodus 15:24). Now discontent has multiplied, proving how quickly sin influences a community (Numbers 14:1-2;Hebrews 3:12-13).

– This unity in complaint contrasts sharply with the unity God desires: worship at Sinai (Exodus 19:6) and mutual edification in the church (Ephesians 4:3-6).

---

grumbled

– To grumble is to voice dissatisfaction while refusing trust. It is not honest lament; it is a rebellious spirit (Psalm 106:25).

– God had just sweetened undrinkable water (Exodus 15:25) and promised daily bread (Exodus 16:4). Grumbling ignores yesterday’s provision and today’s promise.

– New-covenant believers are commanded: “Do everything without complaining” (Philippians 2:14) and “Do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel” (1 Corinthians 10:10).

– Practical checkpoints:

• Remember past deliverances (Psalm 103:2).

• Speak gratitude aloud (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• Replace complaint with prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).

---

against Moses and Aaron

– Grumbling targets the visible leaders, yetExodus 16:8 clarifies, “Your grumbling is not against us, but against the LORD.”

– Moses and Aaron represent God’s appointed authority (Hebrews 13:17). Resisting them is tantamount to resisting God Himself (Numbers 16:11).

– God defends His servants: He provides manna (Exodus 16:13-15) and later vindicates Aaron’s priesthood with a budding staff (Numbers 17:8).

– For believers today:

• Honor spiritual leadership (1 Timothy 5:17).

• Address concerns biblically—privately, respectfully, and prayerfully (Matthew 18:15-16).

• Trust that God corrects shepherds who stray (James 3:1), so there is no need for corrosive complaint.

---

summary

Exodus 16:2 shows God’s redeemed people, only days removed from miraculous rescue, succumbing to collective, faithless grumbling in a harsh desert. Their complaint—directed at Moses and Aaron—reveals a deeper distrust of God’s goodness and plan. The verse warns that circumstances can expose whether gratitude or grumbling rules our hearts. God calls His people, then and now, to remember past mercies, trust present promises, and honor His appointed leaders instead of murmuring when the path grows dry and difficult.

(2)The whole congregration . . . murmured.--This is the third "murmuring." The first was at Pi-hahiroth, on the appearance of the host of Pharaoh (Exodus 14:11-12); the second was at Marah, when the water proved undrinkable (Exodus 15:24); the third, in the wilderness of Sin, was brought about by no special occurrence--unless it were the exhaustion of the supplies of grain which had been brought out of Egypt--but seems to have resulted from a general dissatisfaction with the conditions of life in the wilderness, and with the prospects which lay before them.

Verse 2. -The whole congregation... murmured, It has been observed above, that only the poorer sort could have been as yet in any peril of actual starvation; but it may well have been that the rest, once launched into the wilderness, and becoming practically acquainted with its unproductiveness, foresaw that ultimately starvation must come upon them too, when all the cattle were eaten up, or had died through insufficient nourishment Nothing is more clear than that, without the miracle of the manna, it would have been impossible for a population of two millions to have supported themselves for forty years, or even for two years, in such a region as the Sinaitic peninsula, even though it had been in ancient times three or four times as productive as at present. The cattle brought out of Egypt must have rapidly diminished (Exodus 17:3); and though the Israelites had brought with them also great wealth in the precious metals, yet it must have been some time before they could establish commercial relations with the neighbouring nations so as to obtain such supplies as they needed. Thus we can well understand that at the expiration of a month the people generally should have recognized that their situation was one of great danger, and should have vented their discontent upon their leaders.

Parallel Commentaries ...


And
0(0)
0
Strong's Hebrew

[there] in the desert
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃(bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057:A pasture, a desert, speech

[they all]
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

grumbled
וַיִּלּ֜וֹנוּ(way·yil·lō·w·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3885:To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

against
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֥ה(mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

and Aaron.
אַהֲרֹ֖ן(’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175:Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses


Exodus 16:2 NIV
Exodus 16:2 NLT
Exodus 16:2 ESV
Exodus 16:2 NASB
Exodus 16:2 KJV

Exodus 16:2 BibleApps.com
Exodus 16:2 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 16:2 Chinese Bible
Exodus 16:2 French Bible
Exodus 16:2 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 16:2 The whole congregation of the children (Exo. Ex)