God’s testing in provision is to train the redeemed to trust in His character, His Word and to behold His Glory. Through each trial, each season of the journey, He is calling us to depend on Him and His Word.
- (vv 1-3) Desires Can Distort
- The people begin to grumble, and it does not start with being hungry. The grumbling starts with distorted memories. The people remember provision in bondage as sitting by meat pots and eating bread to their “full”, but scripture tells us they ate leeks, onions and garlic (Num 11:15).Our flesh will rewrite the past when we do not trust the Lord.
- Israel is in “Panic not Peril.” According to Exodus 17:3 – the livestock are still alive. Israel is not yet out of provision. They are hungry but not starving. They are experiencing panic and being uncomfortable, but they are not abandoned. When we feel out of control, our fear will interpret delay as danger.
- (vv 4-15) Provision is Trust Training
- God provides the “bread from Heaven” to teach Isreal that they must be dependent daily on Him. This test is measured, sufficient for each need, and ongoing. Phil Ryken says that God tests people in the “ordinary rhythms of obedience”, not just in crisis.
- God shows His Glory before making provision of the manna and the quail. He wants His people to know and see Him, not just His gifts and His provision.
- (vv 16-20) The Meaning of Manna – Holy Provision
- The Manna is a provision which is Holy, covenantal, portioned and governed by God Himself. This is not just about food. This is grace over grub. This was to be for each day, and each day alone. Not to stockpile as they did – leading to worms and rot.
“The issue is not whether God will provide, but whether His people will trust Him when they cannot see tomorrow’s supply.” – Tim Chester
- Where Isreal was tempted in the wilderness and failed, Christ was victorious. He is the one the manna pointed to. He is the bread of life. None who come to him will be cast out and they will have eternal life. (John 6:22-58)
Application: When God tests through His provision, He reveals what we truly believe about Him. It is not about our wants, but about our view of the Lord. This is when we need to guard our hearts with the Gospel, so we don’t believe the lies of our flesh. God trains us to depend on him daily instead of exercising control out of fear. In God’s provision, we behold His glory and trust in the provision of the Bread of Life. Our confidence comes from Christ who passed the test, and because He did not fail, we can trust him in all things.