Many of us have been praying for “daily bread” nearly all our lives, without much thought as to what that means. In the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the people of Israel are totally dependent on God’s daily providing of ‘manna’ or bread. The real question is not one of physical hunger, but faith. Do we continue to trust God in the midst of the wilderness of our lives?
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m traditional worship
10:30 a.m. contemporary worship
9:30 a.m Sunday School for ages 3 through high school
Also at 9:30 a.m. – New member orientation in fellowship hall
October 6, 2013
Exodus 16:1-18
Key Verse: “God 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.”’” Exodus 16:12
Time: 1290 BCE
Background: With God’s guidance, Moses helped free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, where they had been held captive and pleading for God’s mercy for 400 years. Once freed, they had to learn to become independent of their captors and interdependent on one another and on God.
When their food ran out, the people panicked and begged God to send them back to Egypt, where at least they would be fed. But God had other plans. God sent manna (a bread-like substance) and quails daily for food, just enough for each person to be satisfied for the day. God tested their faith by making it impossible for the people to store more than a day’s food. If stored for more than a day, the food became rotten. So the people had to trust that God would provide each and every day, which God did. God cared for and protected the Israelites. For them, their faith in God was crucial for the basic necessities of survival.
Community: How is your community interdependent upon one another for survival? Where are the weakest links of support and interdependence? What could your community of faith help strengthen those weaknesses and better your community?
At Home: How do you express your faith daily? What could you do this week to express your faith? Do it every day with prayer and trust.
Read This Week:
Monday, Oct 7, Jethro’s Advice, Exodus 18:13-27
Tuesday, Oct 8, The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-21
Wednesday, Oct 9, The Ark of the Covenant, Exodus 25:10-22
Thursday, Oct 10, The Golden Calf, Exodus 32:1-35
Friday, Oct 11, Samuel’s Birth and Dedication, 1 Samuel 1:1-28
Saturday, Oct 12, Hannah’s Prayer, 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Next Week: Sunday, Oct 13, Call of Samuel, 1 Samuel 3:1-21
