This is another amazing chapter in which the glory of the LORD appears in the cloud and speaks to the Moses, God provides daily food for the Israelites, even after they murmur against Moses and complain; and Moses instructs the Israelites about gathering the manna throughout the week.
The chapter begins with the Israelites leaving verdant Elim, with the 12 wells (one for each tribe to have plenty of water) and 70 trees, providing shade and respite from the harsh wilderness heat. (Remember that originally 70 Israelites went to Egypt during the famine) They traveled into the wilderness of Sin (Sin was the name of the Mesopotamian moon god) They had been traveling for 1 1/2 months. The Israelites hungered though they had lots of livestock; but perhaps, no grain left to make bread. They began to murmur and complain to Moses, saying that they had it much better in Egypt in bondage than here in freedom with YHWH. They even said that it would have been better if they had died in Egypt than to be taken out into this wilderness and be killed by YHWH. What an affront to the true God who had already delivered them with multiple miracles. But just like when they murmured about not having water to drink, God provided sweet water at Marah and plentiful water at Elim.
YHWH speaks to Moses about the manna from heaven and the quail overrunning the camp. Moses instructs Aaron to speak to the whole group. And as promised in vs. 7 the glory of YHWH appears in the cloud and He speaks to Moses (vs. 10). How was this appearance different from simply the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night? When Moses saw the burning bush the text said that the Angel of the LORD was within the fire. So, perhaps this same Angel of the LORD appeared in the cloud since this theophany spoke audibly to Moses. The LORD gives more instructions to Moses for the people concerning the Manna. These instructions are then given to the whole congregation.
The chapter begins with the Israelites leaving verdant Elim, with the 12 wells (one for each tribe to have plenty of water) and 70 trees, providing shade and respite from the harsh wilderness heat. (Remember that originally 70 Israelites went to Egypt during the famine) They traveled into the wilderness of Sin (Sin was the name of the Mesopotamian moon god) They had been traveling for 1 1/2 months. The Israelites hungered though they had lots of livestock; but perhaps, no grain left to make bread. They began to murmur and complain to Moses, saying that they had it much better in Egypt in bondage than here in freedom with YHWH. They even said that it would have been better if they had died in Egypt than to be taken out into this wilderness and be killed by YHWH. What an affront to the true God who had already delivered them with multiple miracles. But just like when they murmured about not having water to drink, God provided sweet water at Marah and plentiful water at Elim.
YHWH speaks to Moses about the manna from heaven and the quail overrunning the camp. Moses instructs Aaron to speak to the whole group. And as promised in vs. 7 the glory of YHWH appears in the cloud and He speaks to Moses (vs. 10). How was this appearance different from simply the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night? When Moses saw the burning bush the text said that the Angel of the LORD was within the fire. So, perhaps this same Angel of the LORD appeared in the cloud since this theophany spoke audibly to Moses. The LORD gives more instructions to Moses for the people concerning the Manna. These instructions are then given to the whole congregation.
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