Exodus 16:4

“Then said the Lord unto Moses, etc.] Who no doubt had been praying to him, as was his usual manner, when the people were in distress and complained, and was heard and answered by him: behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; though they were a murmuring, rebellious, and ungrateful people, the Lord dealt kindly and bountifully with them; he did not rain fire and brimstone upon them, as on Sodom and Gomorrah, nor snares and an horrible tempest, as on the wicked; but what was desirable by them, and suitable to their present circumstances, even bread, which was what they wanted, and this ready prepared; for though they did dress it in different ways, yet it might be eaten without any…”

“Then said the Lord unto Moses--Though the outbreak was immediately against the human leaders, it was indirectly against God: yet mark His patience, and how graciously He promised to redress the grievance. I will rain bread from heaven--Israel, a type of the Church which is from above, and being under the conduct, government, and laws of heaven, received their food from heaven also (Psa 78:24). that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no--The grand object of their being led into the wilderness was that they might receive a religious training directly under the eye of God; and the first lesson taught them was a constant dependence on God for their daily nourishment.”

“That I may prove them - The trial consisted in the restriction to the supply of their daily wants. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Man being made out of the earth, his Maker has wisely ordered him food out of the earth, Psa 104:14. But the people of Israel typifying the church of the first - born that are written in heaven, receiving their charters, laws and commissions from heaven, from heaven also they received their food. See what God designed in making this provision for them, that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no - Whether they will trust me, and whether they would serve him, and be ever faithful to so good a master. Exodus 16:5”

“16:4-5 These are the Lord’s instructions for gathering the food that he would provide in the wilderness. Enough was provided for each day, with a double amount provided on the sixth day so that the people would not have to gather any on the Sabbath (see 16:21-30). The Israelites thus observed the Sabbath even before it was codified in the Decalogue. We instinctively resist a style of life in which it is necessary to depend on God each day to supply our needs. We wish to have supplies in advance so that we can feel independent. God was training the people for a life of faith (cp. Matt 6:11).”

“I will rain: Psa 78:24, Psa 78:25, Psa 105:40; Joh 6:31, Joh 6:32; Co1 10:3 a certain rate every day: Heb. the portion of a day in his day, Neh 11:23; Pro 30:8; Mat 6:11, Mat 6:32, Mat 6:33; Luk 11:3 prove them: Exo 15:25; Deu 8:2, Deu 8:16; Jos 24:15 Exodus 16:5”