Exodus 16:10, commentary and pictures

While Aaron was speaking to the whole congregation, the people looked toward the wilderness and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud because their murmuring had been heard. The visible splendor was a symbol of divine presence and unmistakable evidence that after deliverance from Egyptian bondage they were being led and protected by divine power, for the cloud enshrouded Christ, the invisible Leader who taught Israel from the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. The appearing taught that God Himself, not Moses merely, was their leader to be feared and obeyed through the forty years He preserved them to make them a separate people. It belongs to the giving of bread from heaven, the best food that could be given, supplied daily as a continuing miracle that only divine power could perform, which also sustains the seventh-day Sabbath hallowed at creation before it was proclaimed at Sinai. The same God who provided for Israel still lives and reigns to provide suited food when ordinary supplies fail, calling each person to cooperate with Him and to share received blessings of body and soul with those who have less.

Glory Appears in Wilderness

While Aaron was speaking to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, the people looked toward the wilderness and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud, because their murmuring had been heard. That visible splendor was a symbol of the divine presence. It was unmistakable evidence that after deliverance from Egyptian bondage they were being led and protected by divine power.

The cloud enshrouded Jesus Christ Himself, the invisible Leader and teacher of Israel, hidden in the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. From that cloud the Majesty of heaven spoke lessons for Moses to give to the people. The appearing taught that God, not merely Moses, was their leader, so they should fear Him and obey His voice. He preserved them through forty years in the wilderness to make them a separate people.

This manifestation belongs with His other wondrous works of defending them against Pharaoh's army, giving them food when hungry, quieting their murmurings with springs of cool water flowing from the Rock, and giving them great light and precious opportunities to know the divine will communicated by Christ. Yet despite having seen His glory they remained ever ready to turn away and believe hostile suggestions and representations against Moses and Aaron and against Joshua and Caleb. In so doing they passed the boundary of forbearance and patience and awakened anger against rebellion.

Bread From Heaven

The verse belongs to the giving of bread from heaven, angels' food, the best food that could be given to stop all murmuring, supplied daily as the dew fell as a continuing miracle that fed the thousands and met bodily needs. That feeding was an act only divine power could perform, given along with water from the rock while God led and tested the people in the wilderness. The glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud to the whole congregation while Aaron was speaking to them came because the Lord had heard their murmuring.

The people were dissatisfied with the food God gave them, murmured for meat in hankering after the flesh pots of Egypt, and failed to trust and obey Him. In answer to complaints for meat they ate quail for only one day, and it was then withheld because it was not the best food for them. Even the heaven-sent bread did not satisfy them, and through forty years of preservation to make them a separate people their habits of eating needed to be reformed.

The manna sustains by miracle the validity of the seventh day, hallowed and sanctified by God at creation, as a continuing sign of the Sabbath commandment given in Eden before it was proclaimed at Sinai. The command was that they must keep the Sabbath and keep His Sabbaths, and the holy institution remains to be kept and not discarded for a spurious first-day sabbath. Christ hidden in the cloud guided Israel as its invisible Leader in this wilderness account.

The desert feeding is repeated when food sufficient for thousands was created from five barley loaves and two small fishes. That miracle appealed to everyone because all shared its benefit, and it proves the Doer is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world whom Moses foretold. The appearing in the cloud together with the bread sent from heaven was a marked event never to be forgotten but preserved as a memorial of the miraculous escape from Egypt. When children inquired about these memorials they were to be told of the great events at the leaving of Egypt and of the wonderful deliverance by which the Lord brought Israel out from bondage and oppression that they might serve Him and keep His Sabbaths.

Provision For Today

The bread from heaven shows that the same God who fed Israel still lives and reigns and is able to feed His people when ordinary supplies fail. That giving of manna was suited to the needs of the people and manifested His work for their benefit. The same God still gives guidance and skill and understanding to those who serve Him in their work.

As He fed the thousands in the wilderness in their need, He will give His people today knowledge of how to provide food in a simple, inexpensive manner from fruits and grains. By this many who cannot obtain expensive food preparations need not live upon an impoverished diet. The manna supplied bodily needs to teach care for both body and soul. It teaches those who receive blessing to share with those who have less.

The miraculous provision of bread was an act of mercy that also served moral discipline. It calls every person to cooperate with God, each one doing something and giving of what has been entrusted to him. Everything necessary for religious service could have been provided in the same miraculous way, but it was not. In infinite wisdom it was withheld because such cooperation is required for character.