The history of the Exodus of Israel from slavery in Egypt and its journey through the desert to the promised land is not just a story of a time long ago. It is our story, our living story of salvation history. We are right in the middle of that story.
Above all we see that throughout the whole event, it is God who acts in human history. God intervenes where Israel could not accomplish nor sustain its own hopes and dreams. One of the reoccurring themes throughout the Exodus and the journey through the desert is Israel’s lack of trust and faith. This is seen in the grumblings, complaints, and murmuration. Life in the desert is impossible for human beings. We just cannot make do there on our own. Israel turned into a wandering community with no way to provide for itself – no agriculture and hunting possible in the unknown desert. Today’s reading relates how just six weeks into their journey the people long for the meat and bread of slavery!
Israel lived through the seven plagues, the passing though the Red Sea, the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, the pardon of the community after their idolatry and the reception of the Ten Commandments and covenant. Despite all the signs and experiences of God’s action in their life, they continued to have a longing to return to the easy life of slavery in Egypt. Some even go to the extreme to say they would prefer death in Egypt than life with God and freedom in the desert. Egypt is that place of slavery to our perceived needs, sin, separation from God, despair, and sadness. Egypt is that place where we fill ourselves with many things to cover our despair and sadness.
Incredibly, God is patient and forgiving and we see that God intervenes once more by providing meat in the form of quail and bread in the form of mana. This is our faith experience: our life and sustenance come solely from our loving Father.
This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.
Image: https://goodnewsshared.wordpress.com/2019/07/24/i-will-rain-down-bread-from-heaven-for-you-2/