Exodus 16:24 - They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked, and it didn’t become foul, and there were no worms in it.

Generated Verse: Exodus 16:24

What does "Exodus 16:24" mean?


This verse from Exodus 16:24 describes a miraculous event that tested the Israelites' obedience and demonstrated God's provision. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

Context: The Israelites were wandering in the desert, and God was providing them with daily manna (a bread-like substance) to eat. Moses instructed them to gather only enough for each day, as the manna would spoil if kept overnight.
"They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked": This refers to the sixth day of the week (Friday). Moses had instructed them to gather twice as much manna on this day so they would have enough for the Sabbath (Saturday), on which they were not to work or gather food.
"and it didn’t become foul": Usually, manna left overnight would rot and become unpleasant to eat. The fact that it remained fresh and edible was a miracle.
"and there were no worms in it": Manna that wasn't consumed quickly would also be infested with worms. The absence of worms in the manna that was kept overnight was another part of the miraculous preservation.

In summary, this verse means that the Israelites who obeyed Moses' instructions and collected double the manna on Friday for the Sabbath were rewarded by God. He miraculously preserved the manna so that it remained fresh and free of worms, defying its usual perishable nature. The miracle proved to the Israelites that God was with them and rewarding their obedience.

The verse holds deeper significance as well:

A lesson in obedience: God tested the Israelites' willingness to follow his instructions.
A demonstration of God's provision: God showed that he would provide for their needs, even when it seemed impossible.
Sanctification of the Sabbath: The miracle reinforced the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy and trusting that God would provide even when they rested.

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