Exodus 15:22-16:36 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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You Will Know I Am the Lord Your God
Comments for Study 10

Exodus 15:22-16:36
Memory Verse: 16:1

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I. There He Tested Them (15:22-16:1)

>1. Follow the Israelites trek on a map. (12:37, 13:20, 14:1-2, 15:22-23,27, 16:1)

* Exodus 12:37 "The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children."

* Exodus 13:20 "After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert."

* Exodus 14:1-2 "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon."

* Exodus 15:22-23 "Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)"

* Exodus 15:27 "Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water."

* Exodus 16:1 "The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt."

* "Rameses" -Rameses was a city that was built for the Pharaoh by the Israelites and from which the Exodus began. (Exodus 1:11) It was the Egyptian capital city and royal residence during the nineteenth and twentieth dynasties (about 1320-1085 B.C.). The exact location is uncertain, although it appears to have been in the Nile delta and may be the same as Tanis or Zoan. It was near the area where the Hebrews had settled under Joseph's administration (Gen. 47:11). After the Israelites became slaves, they were forced to help build Rameses and Pithom as store cities for Pharaoh Rameses II. Rameses accommodated seagoing vessels from the Mediterranean Sea and river traffic from the Nile. Surrounding the city were groves of fruit trees and vineyards. The city was quite prosperous because of the commerce which went through its port.

* "Succoth" -Succoth in Hebrew is "Tharu" that means "booths". This Succoth was a place where the Israelites camped upon leaving Egypt (Ex. 12:37; 13:20; Num. 33:5-6). It was near Pithom and has been identified with tell el-Maskhutah or tell er-Retabah though its location has never been found.

* In ancient Egypt, there was a line of guarded fortifications along the canal which connected the Gulf of Suez with the Mediterranean Sea. Satellite and infrared photos show the path of this ancient canal. At the point where one would leave Egypt proper and go into the Sinai desert, there was the fortress and a bridge of Tharu. ("Life in Ancient Egypt" by Adolf Erman)

* "Etham" -Etham is perhaps another name for Khetam, or "fortress," on the Shur or great wall of Egypt, which extended from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Suez. Here the Israelites made their second camp (Ex. 13:20; Num. 33:6). Its precise location is not certain, but probably was a little to the west of the modern town of Ismailia. The nearby wilderness was called the wilderness of Etham (Num. 33:8).

* "Pi Hahiroth" -Pi Hahiroth is a Hebrew place name derived from the Egyptian, “house of Hathor” and interpreted in Hebrew as mouth of canals.” Many believe Pihahiroth lay in the eastern Nile delta to the east of Baal-zephon though it has never been found. Thus the site is unknown. The Israelites encamped at Pihahiroth in the early days of the Exodus (Ex. 14:2,9; Num. 33:7). The alternate form Hahiroth appears at Numbers 33:8.

* "Migdol" -Migdol location is debated. Its a Hebrew word probably of Egyptian origin, meaning “tower, watchtower, fortress.” It was town or a border fortress located in the north-east corner of Egypt. The site is mentioned in reference to two events in biblical history—the Exodus and the Exile (Jer. 44:1). The coming doom of Egypt at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar was to be proclaimed there (Jer. 46:13-14). Ezekiel prophesied that the land of Egypt would be laid waste, “from Migdol to Aswan” (Ezek. 29:10, 30:6), that is from the northern extremity of the land, Migdol, to the southern extremity of the land, Aswan. A papyrus manuscript mentions the Migdol of Pharaoh Seti I. This Migdol was located near Tjeku, the location of which is still debated. Some prefer to identify Tjeku with Succoth, modern-day tell el-Maskhutah, while others identify it with tell el-Her located further north near Pelusium.

* "the sea" -Yam in Hebrew from an unused root meaning to roar referring to a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or a large body of water. Often it specifically (with the article) means the Mediterranean. Though sometimes its a large river, or an artificial basin. Locally its used to mean the west or (rarely) the south. (Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary)

* Exodus 16:1 and 6 (see also 12:51 and 13:18) state that on the 15th day of the second month the Hebrews were brought out of the land of Egypt before they crossed the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula, and then they turned off the highway crossing the desert, to travel to the Red Sea coast (Exodus 14:1-2). This is why a growing number of people believe Israel found the Sea not at the Gulf of Suez, but at the Gulf of Aqaba, on the western coast of the Sinai Peninsula.

* Josephus wrote, "That land was difficult to be traveled over, not only by armies, but by single persons. Now Moses led the Hebrews this way, that in case the Egyptians should repent and be desirous to pursue after them, they might undergo the punishment of their wickedness, and of the breach of those promises they had made to them. As also he led them this way on account of the Philistines, who had quarreled with them, and hated them of old, that by all means they might not know of their departure, for their country is near to that of Egypt; and thence it was that Moses led them not along the road that tended to the land of the Philistines, but he was desirous that they should go through the desert, that so after a long journey, and after many afflictions, they might enter upon the land of Canaan. Another reason of this was, that God commanded him to bring the people to Mount Sinai, that there they might offer him sacrifices (Exodus 3:12). (Josephus)

* Josephus wrote, "Now when the Egyptians had overtaken the Hebrews, they prepared to fight them, and by their multitude they drove them into a narrow place; for the number that pursued after them was six hundred chariots, with fifty thousand horsemen, and two hundred thousand footmen, all armed. They also seized on the passages by which they imagined the Hebrews might fly, shutting them up between inaccessible precipices and the sea; for there was on each side mountains that terminated at the sea, which were impassable by reason of their roughness, and obstructed their flight; wherefore they there pressed upon the Hebrews with their army, where the ridges of the mountains were closed with the sea; which army they placed at the gaps of the mountains, that so they might deprive them of any passage into the plain". (Josephus)

* "Baal Zephon" -Baal means "Lord" and was the title of the supreme god of the Canaanites. Baal Zephon means "Lord of the North", a north-west Semitic "sea" or "storm" god. It's location is unknown. Because its associated with a Canaanite god and not an Egyptian god it seems unlikely this town would be in Egypt, where many locate it.

* Leaving the highway, the Hebrews traveled along the Wadi Watir, a natural road through the wide mountain gorge. The Israelites would have been traveling for close to one week because the journey from Succoth to the most likely location of Pi-hahiroth on the western coast of the Gulf of Aqaba was about 200 miles. Retreat was impossible. And together with their flocks and herds they were encompassed by the mountains and cut-off ahead by the sea.

* "Red Sea" -Red Sea is a common translation of two Hebrew words yam suph. Yam means “sea,” but suph does not normally mean “red.” Suph often means “reeds” (Ex. 2:3,5; Isa. 19:6) or “end,” “hinder part” (Joel 2:20; 2 Chron. 20:16; Eccl. 3:11). Yam suph could be translated “Sea of Reeds” or “Sea at the end of the world.” The earliest known translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Greek Septuagint about 200 B.C.) translated yam suph consistently with Erthra Thalassa “Red Sea.” Jerome continued the process in the Latin Vulgate (A.D. 400) by using Mare Rubrum “Red Sea for yam suph.

* "Desert of Shur" -Shur is a place name meaning “wall.” Its a region on Egypt’s northeastern border, perhaps named after a wall Egyptians built to protect their border, where Moses made first stop after crossing the Red Sea (Ex. 15:22). Earlier, Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar, had come toward Shur after her expulsion from the clan of Abraham (Gen. 16:7). Abraham lived near Shur (Gen. 20:1). Saul smote the Amalekites in that area (1 Sam. 15:7). David and his men made forays as far as Shur while eluding King Saul (1 Sam. 27:8).

* "Marah" -Marah means "bitter" and has not been located.

* "Elim" = Elim is a place name meaning “trees.” This is the first place the Israelites found water since leaving Egypt. It had twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees. (Num. 33:9) Its exact location is unknown though some have claimed they found such a place outside of Egypt's boarder.

* "Desert of Sin" -Most maps have placed this on the Sinai Peninsula without evidence.

* "Sinai" and "Mount Sinai" -Exodus 3:1 and Galatians 4:22-25 place Mount Sinai in Arabia. Galatians 4:25, "Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children."

* James Montgomery wrote, "The land west of the River of Egypt to the Gulf of Aqaba has always belonged to the Egyptian political sphere, and is the boundary of present-day Egypt." (Arabia and the Bible, 31)

* In 1967, Moshe Dyan marched his troops from Nuweiba Beach crossing site to Suez City (near ancient Tharu/Succoth) in six days. Unlike Moses, who traveled both day and night, Moshe Dyan's troops camped at night. The Israelites were told to eat only unleavened bread seven days - indicating they would be traveling constantly with no opportunity to bake bread."

* The duration of the journey to Pi-hahiroth can be calculated backwards from the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai on the 3rd month 6th day (Exodus 19:16). This is called the day of Pentecost. It's 52 days after Israel had eaten the first Passover on the 14 day of the first Hebrew month. (Exodus 12:1,6) Passover corresponds to Jesus' death and Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit descended on the Church in the upper room.

>What happened? (24-25)

* Exodus 15:24-25 "So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them."

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>Why? (26)

* Exodus 15:26 "He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

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>Does the Lord still test his people? (1 Thess. 2:4; James 1:2-4, 12-15)

* 1 Thessalonians 2:4 "On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts."

* James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

* James 1:12-15 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

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II. Bread From Heaven (16:2-20)

>2. Why would the Israelites grumble about not having food when they had brought unleavened bread and livestock out of Egypt? (2-3)

* Exodus 16:2-3 "In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

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>Was the Lord angry with Israel? (4-5)

* Exodus 16:4-5 "Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

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>Why did he say he would give them food in the way he did?

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>If this is the way he tests his people what is the only way to be prepared for the test(s) to come? (Luke 8:13)

* Luke 8:13 "Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away."

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>3. Who were the Israelites actually grumbling against? (6-8)

* Exodus 16:6-8 "So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?" Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."

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>When troubles of life come what can keep us from grumbling? (Luke 8:14-15)

* Luke 8:14-15 "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

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>4. What is the glory of the Lord? (9-10)

* Exodus 16:9-10 "Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'" While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud."

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>What was God planning to teach Israel? (11-12)

* Exodus 16:11-12 "The LORD said to Moses, "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

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>What can we learn about the Lord from this? (Jer. 2:2-3)

* Jeremiah 2:2-3 "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: "'I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,'" declares the LORD."

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>5. How did the food appear? (13-15)

* Exodus 16:13-15 "That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat."

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>What does the fact that they had never seen it before say?

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>Even though God provided this food would it sustain them eternally? (John 6:26-27, 31-35)

* John 6:26-27 "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

* John 6:31-35 "Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

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>6. How did the Israelites start? (16-18)

* Exodus 16:16-18 "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.'" The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed."

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>What happened when one sinned? (19-20)

* Exodus 16:19-20 "Then Moses said to them, "No one is to keep any of it until morning." However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them."

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>What can we learn?

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III. Save Some Till Morning (16:21-36)

>7. What were they to learn about the seventh day for the first time? (21-23)

* Exodus 16:21-23 "Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much--two omers for each person--and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.'"

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>What happened when they obeyed? (24-26)

* Exodus 16:24-26 "So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. "Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.""

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>What happened when some sinned? (27-30)

* Exodus 16:27-30 "Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out." So the people rested on the seventh day."

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>8. What was the food like? (31)

* Exodus 16:31 "The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey."

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>9. Why keep some? (32-34)

* Exodus 16:32-34 "Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.' So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come." As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept."

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>How can we do likewise?

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>10. How long did they eat the manna and what does this tell us about the Lord? (35-36)

* Exodus 16:35-36 "The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. (An omer is one tenth of an ephah.)"

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