13 May 2017, Ex 16 出 16 章, Heavenly Food 天粮

Posted on Apr 28, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 16

Theme                           : Heavenly Food

 

Before long, the redeemed Jews were acting like unsaved Gentiles, for they asked, “What shall we eat? What shall we drink?” (Matt. 6:25–34). God did not rescue them from bondage in order to kill them with hunger! (See Rom. 8:31–32.) Their real problem was that they still had the old appetite and needed to learn to enjoy the new food God had for them.

The manna is a picture of Jesus Christ (John 6:30ff.). The manna came only to Israel and all it could do was sustain physical life. But the Savior came for the whole world and He gives spiritual life. If the Jews did not appropriate the manna, they died. Sinners must believe on Jesus Christ to receive life.

Feeding on the manna is also a picture of your daily appropriation of Christ through the Word of God. Just as your food becomes a part of your very being, so the Word strengthens your inner person when you read it, meditate on it and obey it. Just as the Jews could not live on yesterday’s manna, so you cannot live on yesterday’s spiritual diet. Begin each day with the Lord, and He will give you what you need for facing the burdens and battles ahead. [1]
 
 

Praying the Scripture

  1. Moses said, “Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.” (Ex 16:8) Grumbling is sin because you do not want to accept what the Lord’s sovereign plan for your life. Israelites’ grumbling is not against Moses but the Lord. Are you grumbling about your own situations in life?
  2. The Jews were instructed to gather their manna daily, but only as much as each person in the family could eat (v. 16). The instruction is that they cannot keep it overnight (v. 19). But on the Sabbath day, they can keep double portions and it will not breed worms or become stink. (Ex 16:20) Yet the Israelites disobeyed. Some took more than they should and others purposely went out on the Sabbath day to look for manna. Are we not like them? When we are given instructions, we do the exact opposite? This is rebellious behavior.  Let’s pray that the Lord forgive us and let us pursue obedience immediately and willingly.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 16:1.

 
 

经文：出16 章

主题：天粮

 

没过多久，这些已被赎回的犹太人行事就像未得救的外邦人一样，他们问: “我们吃什么？我们喝什么？”（太 6:25-34）。神没有打算大费周章的救他们脱离奴役，然后以饥荒饿死他们！ （参罗8:31-32）。他们真正的问题是他们仍然存着旧的饮食习惯，他们需要学会享受神为他们准备的新食物。

吗哪代表了耶稣基督（约 6:30 ff）。吗哪本来是只为以色列而赐下，也只是来维持一个人的生命。但救主到世界来是给予每一个人的属灵的生命。如果犹太人不接受吗哪，他们就会因此丧命。罪人也必须接受耶稣基督，才可获得生命。

以吗哪为食也代表我们每日通过神的话语来维持属灵的生命。正如你吃下的食物将成为你身体的一部分，神的话也在当你读它、默想它并顺服它时，加强你内心，成为自己的一部分。正如犹太人不能靠昨日的吗哪维持生命，你也不能依赖昨日的读经来维持属灵生命。与主开始你的每一天，祂将赐给你所要面对的重担和挑战所需的一切。


用经文祷告

  1. 摩西说：“你们的怨言不是向我们发的，乃是向耶和华发的。”（出16:8）。怨言是罪，因为你不想接受主在你生命里的安排（主权）。以色列人的怨言不是向摩西发的，而是向主发的。你是否因生命里所遇的情况在抱怨呢？
  2. 神指示他们要按着家里每个人的饭量每日收取吗哪（16节）。神命令他们不可把多余的吗哪收至隔一天（19节）。但是，在安息日，他们可以收取双份，而它们又不会生虫变臭。（出16:20），然而，以色列人就是要违背神的命令。有一些人收取比所需的还多，有些故意在安息日出门寻找吗哪。我们不是和他们一样吗？当神给我们命令时，我们所要行的，不是恰恰相反吗？这就是叛逆的行为。让我们祈祷，求主赦免我们，让我们立刻心甘情愿地追求顺服。