God Gives Manna

Celebration After Crossing the Red Sea

• Israelites sang and danced in honor of God after being rescued from the Egyptians.
• Moses and Miriam led the celebration with instruments.

Journey Through the Desert

• Followed the pillar of cloud from God.
• After three days of walking, they reached Mara, but the water was bitter.
• Israelites complained to Moses about thirst.
• Moses cried out to God; God showed him a piece of wood.
• Moses threw the wood into the water, making it sweet and drinkable.

Arrival at Elim

• Israelites camped at Elim, which had twelve springs and seventy palm trees.

Complaints in the Desert of Sin

• Nearly two months after leaving Egypt, the people complained about food and water.
• They felt they were better off in Egypt, expressing their grievances to Moses and Aaron.
• Moses reassured them of God’s protection.

God’s Provision

• God promised to provide bread in the mornings and meat in the evenings.
• Israelites instructed to gather daily rations, with a double portion on the sixth day for the Sabbath.
• Quail filled the camp in the afternoon and manna appeared in the morning.
• Manna was unfamiliar—Israelites asked, "What is this?" (meaning "manna").

Following Instructions

• Israelites were instructed to gather enough manna for each day.
• Those who saved it overnight found it spoiled.
• On the sixth day, they were told to gather for two days due to the Sabbath.
• Some still disobeyed and found no manna on the Sabbath.

Journey to Rephidim

• The Israelites camped in Rephidim but found no water.
• They complained to Moses about their thirst, expressing doubt in God’s plan.
• Moses cried out to God, who instructed him to strike a rock at Horeb for water.

Battle Against the Amalekites

• Amalekites attacked the Israelites.
• Moses instructed Joshua to lead the battle while he prayed on the hill.
• As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning.
• Aaron and Hur helped hold Moses’ arms up to ensure victory until sunset.

Jethro’s Visit and Advice

• Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, visited him with his family.
• Jethro praised God for the deliverance of Israel.
• Observing Moses’ heavy workload, Jethro advised him to appoint capable leaders to help judge the people.
• This would reduce Moses’ burden and satisfy the people.
• Moses heeded Jethro’s advice, leading to better management of the community.

Conclusion of the Journey

• After Jethro returned to Midian, the Israelites continued toward Sinai.
• Significant because this is where God would give the commandments to the Israelites.