Exodus 16:19-20

Moses said, Let no man leave of it, &c.— A striking peculiarity of this bread from heaven is here mentioned, which abundantly proves to us, that it was different from common manna; for this putrifies not: whereas that which God sent for the daily food of the Israelites, if kept till the next morning, bred worms and stank. See Dr. Bentley's 4th Sermon at Boyle's Lectures. Desirous to keep the people dependent upon his providence, the Almighty determined to give them this heavenly food from day to day. Accordingly, as the preservation of it betrayed great want of faith in the preserver, so was it to no purpose; for, as what remained, after the Israelites had gathered their quantity, melted away by the heat of the sun, so, what they preserved, became utterly unserviceable; see note on Exodus 16:4. Another proof, that this was different from the ordinary manna, is, the way in which it was daily dropped down with the dew from heaven: for common manna, as is generally agreed, is a kind of gum which distils from certain trees at a certain season of the year, and is never found in the dew on the ground; nor indeed ever on the ground, except under its own tree. So that, granting there is a species of manna, or honey-dew, found in these parts of Arabia, there is enough in the account of this manna to designate its miraculous and extraordinary nature. See Saurin's 50th Dissert.

REFLECTIONS.—Observe, 1. The manna and quails are sent; not only necessaries, but delicacies. Note; He who gives us appetite for our food, has given our food pleasing qualities to gratify it. We have his provision, not merely to live upon as slaves fed with bread and water, but as children richly to enjoy.

2. They must gather the manna every day; for we must use the means while we are depending on the Divine blessing. As much as they needed, and no more; because we may not abuse God's gifts by needless hoarding or luxurious profusion. None must be left till morning; because we ought every one to trust upon God for daily bread: not that we are forbidden a provident care for our families, but we must avoid anxious distrust.

3. The disobedience of some. They saved it out of covetousness or unbelief, and it bred worms and stank; which justly provoked Moses's anger, though the meekest man upon earth. Note; (1.) Covetousness is God's abhorrence. (2.) A holy jealousy in a minister's heart for the people's souls will vent itself in just displeasure against their sins.