Exodus 16:21 - They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted.

Generated Verse: Exodus 16:21

What does "Exodus 16:21" mean?


This verse from Exodus 16:21 refers to the manna that God provided for the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness. Let's break it down:

"They gathered it morning by morning...": The Israelites were instructed to collect the manna each day. This highlights the daily dependence on God's provision and care.

"...everyone according to his eating.": They were to gather only what they needed for that day's sustenance. This discourages greed and hoarding, reinforcing trust in God to provide for their needs each day.

"When the sun grew hot, it melted.": This detail is crucial. If they tried to keep the manna overnight (except on the Sabbath eve), it would spoil and become wormy (Exodus 16:20). This served as a daily lesson in obedience and reliance on God's timing and provision. The manna was designed to be a fresh, daily gift, not something to be stored up. The melting in the hot sun reinforced this lesson.

In summary, the verse emphasizes:

Daily Dependence on God: The Israelites had to rely on God each day for their food.
Provision Based on Need: God provided enough for everyone's daily needs.
Discouragement of Greed and Hoarding: They were not meant to gather more than they needed for the day.
Importance of Obedience: Failure to follow God's instructions resulted in the manna spoiling.
God's Timing: The melting of the manna served as a daily reminder of God's provision and timing.

The manna and the instructions surrounding it were a tangible way for God to teach the Israelites about faith, obedience, and dependence on Him during their journey to the Promised Land.

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