“FOOD IN THE DESERT”

Season 2: Heroes of the Bible
Episode 30: “Food in the Desert”
Today’s Bible Bite: Exodus 15:22-16:36

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzN1ijiFnIA (God’s Story – Wilderness)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL90F57B6iw (Kids on the Move – lesson for us)

“The LORD said to Moses, 12 ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.” (Exodus 16:11-12)

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years, until God miraculously freed them. He sent plagues to the Egyptians so that they were finally willing to let the Israelites leave. Then God again rescued them from Pharaoh by parting the waters of the Red Sea to let them cross safely to the other side. You would think all of this help from God would have convinced the Israelites that He was good and had a plan for them, but three days after their amazing rescue they began to complain.

God had them traveling in the desert to prevent enemy nations from attacking them. But water is scarce in the desert and the people got thirsty. Rather than trusting God to take care of them they complained. Moses asked for God’s help and they found fresh water. A month later they began to complain again because the food they had brought from Egypt with them was running out. Moses again asked for help and God provided quail and manna—special flakes of food that covered the ground like snow.
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God would continue to provide for the Israelites while they remained in the wilderness—providing food, water and keeping their clothes from wearing out. Unfortunately, the Israelites who had been slaves never learned to fully trust God, but their children would. It was the slaves’ children who would experience all the good things God had for them because they grew up trusting Him.

Think about it...
• God had miraculously parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. Why did they doubt God would take care of them?
• After three days in the wilderness, they ran out of fresh water. What did the Israelites do? What did Moses do?
• A month later their food was running out. What did the Israelites do? What did Moses do?
• Even though the Israelites complained, God took care of them. What did He do?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, for proving that you can and would take care of your people as they followed your directions. You never gave them too much, but always the right amount. Help us to trust you to provide what need as we obey you.