Wesley Corpus

Their complaint for want of bread, ver. 1 - 3. The notice God gave them of the provision he intended to make for them, ver. 4 - 12. The sending of the manna, ver. 13 - 15. The laws and orders concerning it. That they should gather it daily, ver. 16 - 21. That they should gather a double portion on the sixth day, ver. 22 - 26. That they should expect none on the seventh day, ver. 27 - 31, That they should preserve a pot of it for a memorial, ver 32. A month's provision, it seems, the host of Israel took with them out of Egypt, when they came thence on the 15th day of the first month, which, by the 15th day of the second month, was all spent. Then the whole congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron - God's viceregents among them. They so undervalue their deliverance, that they wish, they had died in Egypt, nay, and died by the hand of the Lord too. That is, by some of the plagues which cut off the Egyptians; as if it were not the hand of the Lord, but of Moses only, that brought them into this wilderness. 'Tis common for people to say of that pain, or sickness, which they see not second causes of, It is what pleaseth God, as if that were not so likewise which comes by the hand of man, or some visible accident. We cannot suppose they had any great plenty in Egypt, how largely soever they now talk of the flesh - pots, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness while they had their flocks and herds with them; but discontent magnifies what is past, and vilifies what is present, without regard to truth or reason. None talk more absurdly than murmurers. Man being made out of the earth, his Maker has wisely ordered him food out of the earth, Psa 104:14. But the people of Israel typifying the church of the first - born that are written in heaven, receiving their charters, laws and commissions from heaven, from heaven also they received their food.