What Is It?

Scripture :

Exodus 16:1–36 NLT

Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Announce this to the entire community of Israel: ‘Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’ ” And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud. Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ” That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.” So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them. After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation. He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day. The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers. Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.” Moses said to Aaron, “Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the Lord to preserve it for all future generations.” Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it in the Ark of the Covenant—in front of the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which was one tenth of an ephah; it held about two quarts.

Purpose: Understanding how God provides for us

References:

Object Lesson:

Here’s a joyful, hands‑on Grace Kids–style object lesson that teaches children that God provides exactly what we need each day, just like He did with manna in Exodus 16. Bible Gateway Bible Hub

🍞 Kids Object Lesson: “Daily Bread From Heaven!”

Based on Exodus 16 — Manna From Heaven

Big Idea:

God gives us what we need each day, and we can trust Him—no matter what.

Main Truth for Kids:

Just like God gave the Israelites manna every morning, God takes care of us every day too.

🧺 Objects Needed:

A filled with small white items (mini marshmallows, cereal puffs, cotton balls—your “manna”)clear container

An labeled empty container “Yesterday’s Manna”

A that says sign“ Trust God Today”

Optional: A small fan to “blow in” the manna for fun

🏜️ The Lesson

1. Start With the Problem: Hungry in the Desert

Hold up the empty container.

Say: “The Israelites were walking through a hot desert. No grocery stores. No snacks. No lunchboxes. They were hungry, tired, and worried.” “They even complained to Moses, saying they wished they were back in Egypt where they had plenty of food!” Bible Gateway

Explain: “Sometimes we worry too—about school, friends, or things we don’t understand.”

2. God Sends a Surprise From Heaven

Shake the container of “manna.”

Say: “God told Moses He would rain down bread from heaven every morning.” Bible Hub

Sprinkle the “manna” onto a tray or the floor.

Let kids touch it.

Say: “When the Israelites saw it, they said, ‘What is it?’ because they had never seen anything like it!” Bible Hub “Moses told them, ‘This is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.’”

3. The Daily Rule

Hold up the ‘Yesterday’s Manna’ container.

Say: “God told them to gather just enough for that day—not too much, not too little.” “If they tried to save it for the next day, it spoiled!” (Except on the sixth day—God provided double so they could rest.) Bible Hub

Explain: “God was teaching them to trust Him every single day.”

4. Connect It to Their Lives

Hold up the ‘Trust God Today’ sign.

Say: “God wants us to trust Him today too.” “We don’t always know what tomorrow will look like, but God promises to take care of us—one day at a time.”

Give examples kids understand:

“When you’re worried about a test—God gives you what you need today.”

“When you’re nervous about a new school—God helps you today.”

“When you feel lonely—God gives comfort today.”

🌈 Kid-Friendly Takeaway

“God gives me what I need each day.”

🙌 Action Step for Kids

Ask: “What is one thing you need God’s help with today?” Let kids share or pray silently.

Activity:

Lesson:

Manna from Heaven: God's Daily Provision

Bible Passage: Exodus 16:1-36

Summary: In Exodus 16, the Israelites complain about lack of food in the wilderness, and God provides manna, a miraculous bread from heaven, teaching them reliance on His daily provision.

Application: This passage is a powerful reminder for children that God cares for their needs and will provide for them in their lives. They can learn to trust in God's daily presence and provision, even in times of difficulty or want.

Teaching: From this sermon, children will learn about God's faithfulness and how He provides for our needs each day. They will understand the importance of gratitude and trust in God, as well as the value of sharing His blessings with others.

How this passage could point to Christ: This story foreshadows Christ as the Bread of Life (John 6:32-35). John 6:32–35 (NIV84)

32 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Just as God provided manna for Israel, Jesus offers Himself as spiritual sustenance for all who believe in Him, symbolizing God’s ultimate provision for our deepest needs.

Big Idea: God is our faithful provider who meets our daily needs and teaches us to trust Him.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the cultural significance of manna and its implications for the Israelites. Using your Logos library, you may want to look into commentaries that discuss the theological and historical context of this event, particularly how early Jewish traditions understood manna as a sign of God's provision. Additionally, refine your understanding of how this narrative points to Christ in the New Testament.

1. God Hears

Exodus 16:1-8

How do you act when you are hungry?

Do you complain because you are hungry?

Are you mean when you are hungry?

Maybe you could explain to the children how the Israelites were feeling hungry and unsure in the wilderness, yet God had heard their complaints and had a plan to provide for them. Highlight that God's response to their grumbling wasn't anger, but rather compassion, showing His love and understanding of their needs. This passage encourages trust in God, even when we are feeling unsure or distressed, reflecting the big idea of God's faithful provision.

2. Trust God

Exodus 16:9-21

You could illustrate how God provided manna, teaching the Israelites to gather only what they needed each day. This serves as a lesson in trust and obedience to God's instructions. Use this part to encourage children to appreciate the daily blessings in their own lives and to follow God's teachings faithfully, trusting that He knows what we need. This ties into the Christocentric theme of Jesus as our daily bread, emphasizing daily reliance on God.

3. Rest

Exodus 16:22-30

How do you rest?

Why is resting is important?

Perhaps point out how God instructed the Israelites to gather twice the amount of manna before the Sabbath, ensuring they could rest as He commanded. This demonstrates God's provision even for their rest and His desire for their wellbeing. Teach children about the importance of rest and observing what God has set for our benefit, reflecting Jesus' call to find rest in Him. This shows God’s holistic care for His people.

4. Remember

Exodus 16:31-36

Do you have special things that remind you of miracles?

You could wrap up by highlighting how the generation that witnessed God's provision kept a jar of manna as a reminder for future generations of His faithfulness. Encourage children to remember and be thankful for all the ways God provides for them. Connect this with the promise of Jesus as the eternal provision for our souls, encouraging gratitude and sharing His love with others. It underlines the teaching of remembering and depending on God.