Exodus 16:16
This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded: gather of it euery man according to his eating: an Omer for euery man, according to the number of your persons, take yee euery man for them which are in his tents. Exodus 16:16 (KJV)
In this verse, Moses conveys God’s commandment to the Israelites regarding the gathering of manna, the miraculous food provided by God during their time in the wilderness.
Background and Context: After leaving Egypt, the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness of Sin, an arid region where they faced hunger and scarcity of food. In response to their complaints, God promised to send bread from heaven, which they would gather each day (Exodus 16:4).
Gathering the Manna: Exodus 16:16 records God’s instruction that each person collect an omer of manna—approximately two litres (about two quarts). The amount was to be gathered according to each individual’s eating, ensuring sufficient sustenance for each person.
Equality and Provision: The verse emphasizes that everyone was to gather according to their need, regardless of family size. God’s command ensured an equal share of sustenance for all, highlighting His provision, care, and the principle of equality in daily reliance on Him.
Obedience and Trust: By commanding daily gathering, God tested the Israelites’ obedience and trust. They were to collect only what was needed for the day, except before the Sabbath when a double portion was required to rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22‑30). This challenged them to rely on God’s faithfulness rather than hoarding.
Spiritual Application: Beyond the literal gathering, the passage teaches believers to depend on God for daily physical and spiritual nourishment. Like the Israelites, we are called to seek God’s provision, wisdom, and guidance each day through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.
Contentment and the Dangers of Excess: The command to gather only enough for daily needs underscores the biblical principle of contentment and warns against the pursuit of excessive material possessions or worldly desires.
In summary, Exodus 16:16 conveys God’s command to gather an omer of manna each day according to one’s eating, illustrating equality, provision, obedience, trust, contentment, and reliance on God’s daily sustenance for believers throughout history.
