Scripture Passages of the Week
Exodus 16:2-15
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.’ So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?’ And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.’
Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
Reflection of the Week
This week, our “Key to Survival” is Ask.
We’ve all been there — that moment on the road trip when everyone’s hot and miserable, and all we can do is complain. This is how the Israelites feel in this Sunday’s Exodus passage as they grow desperately hungry in the desert (Ex. 16:2-15). It may also be how we feel in this seemingly endless time of social distancing.
But surprisingly, God answers the Israelites complaints with manna from heaven, as though rewarding their cranky behavior! We learn in scripture that it’s all right to ask God for what we need. Especially in times of distress, isolation, or fear, let us name what we truly need, ask for it, and trust God and one another to provide for us.
Service Highlights or Announcements for this Sunday
Please join us Sunday for newly recorded organ hymns, a lovely solo by one of our children, and a Prayer Shawl blessing for someone in need of healing.
We have concluded our Thursday Prayers of the People conference call. With the return of the Gather worship service and its Prayers of the People, we look forward to hearing your prayer requests during the Gather worship service.
Come check out our virtual Gather(ing) via Zoom on Wednesdays at 7 pm. We would LOVE to see you there. Come ready to discuss our scripture passage and raise our voices in song! If you would like the Zoom link, please sign up here.
Sign up to for the Gather Zoom meeting information here.
Peace and Health,
Pastor James
