Post by Woody Williams on Sept 8, 2024 7:08:50 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Exodus 16:1-4
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The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and
Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and
Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had
departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the
Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The
Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the LORD
in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill
of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill
this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven
for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for
that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my
instruction or not.
Devotional
----------
I remember complaining as a child when my mother would feed me oat
meal six days in a row. Can you imagine manna every day for forty
years, even if it did taste like a wafer made from honey? When does
bread become more than bread (I don't mean toast)? Bread becomes more
than bread when we become aware that bread is a sign of God's love
and care for us. As Moses told Aaron to save some of the manna as a
reminder to each generation of God's goodness, so we say "grace"
before eating, reminding ourselves that bread is more than bread. We
gather at a table in church in remembrance of Him who is bread, but
more than bread.
Prayer
------
Thank you, Lord, for the ongoing signs of your love in the gifts you
give us. Amen
----------
The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim; and
Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and
Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had
departed from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the
Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The
Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the LORD
in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill
of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill
this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven
for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for
that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my
instruction or not.
Devotional
----------
I remember complaining as a child when my mother would feed me oat
meal six days in a row. Can you imagine manna every day for forty
years, even if it did taste like a wafer made from honey? When does
bread become more than bread (I don't mean toast)? Bread becomes more
than bread when we become aware that bread is a sign of God's love
and care for us. As Moses told Aaron to save some of the manna as a
reminder to each generation of God's goodness, so we say "grace"
before eating, reminding ourselves that bread is more than bread. We
gather at a table in church in remembrance of Him who is bread, but
more than bread.
Prayer
------
Thank you, Lord, for the ongoing signs of your love in the gifts you
give us. Amen