July 24, 2013, Reading

Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15

1 Setting out from Elim, the whole community of Israelites entered the desert of Sin, lyingbetween Elim and Sinai — on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt.

2 And the whole community of Israelites began complaining about Moses and Aaron in the desert

3 and said to them, ‘Why did we not die at Yahweh’s hand in Egypt, where we used to sit round the flesh pots and could eat to our heart’s content! As it is, you have led us into thisdesert to starve this entire assembly to death!’

4 Yahweh then said to Moses, ‘Look, I shall rain down bread for you from the heavens. Each day the people must go out and collect their ration for the day; I propose to test them in this way to see whether they will follow my law or not.

5 On the sixth day, however, when they prepare what they have brought in, this must be twice as much as they collect on ordinary days.’

9 Moses then said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole community of Israelites, “Approach Yahweh’s presence, for he has heard your complaints.” ‘

10 As Aaron was speaking to the whole community of Israelites, they turned towards the desert, and there the glory of Yahweh appeared in the cloud.

11 Yahweh then spoke to Moses and said,

12 ‘I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Speak to them as follows, “At twilight you willeat meat, and in the morning you will have bread to your heart’s content, and then you willknow that I am Yahweh your God.” ‘

13 That evening, quails flew in and covered the camp, and next morning there was a layer of dew all round the camp.

14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the desert was something fine and granular, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground.

15 As soon as the Israelites saw this, they said to one another, ‘What is that ?’ not knowing what it was. ‘That’, Moses told them, ‘is the food which Yahweh has given you to eat.


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