Reading 21 | The Bible in 100 Passages

Saturday, October 4, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Exodus 16:1–12

The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him — what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” (NRSV)

Reflection

The Israelites grumbled in the wilderness. Their complaints reflected their fear of starving. God responded to their complaints not with anger, but with provision — manna each morning, quail in the evening. But the manna came with a condition: it could not be hoarded. The Israelites had to trust that tomorrow it would come again. In this way, God set about to feed not only their stomachs but to form their faith.

I struggle with this lesson. I am a planner by nature. I maintain to-do lists (yes, plural) that serve as a map for tomorrow, the coming week, the shape of next month. The to-list inevitably includes groceries. Honestly? I shudder when I consider depending on God to literally provide my daily bread. No safety net? No pantry stocked? That feels uncomfortable, even frightening.

Yet this is exactly the invitation of this passage. It encourages me to loosen my grip on tomorrow and learn to live in today. It asks me to believe God when God says, “I will provide. I am enough. Trust me daily.” The lesson challenges me to trust that I don’t need to plan for everything. The invitation is to breathe deeply and pray, “Lord, thank you for today’s bread. Tomorrow is yours. Help me not to worry about it now.”

Prayer

God of our daily bread, I confess I worry and attempt to allay those worries by planning for tomorrow, while you call me to trust you for today. Give me faith to receive the daily bread you provide, to trust in your promises without fear, and to let tomorrow rest in your care. Teach me to live one day at a time, grateful, trusting, and unafraid. Amen.

Written by Sarah Younger, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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