1. Murmuring - Verses 1-3
By this time the provisions carried out of Egypt were gone. The usual means of supplying such a multitude with daily bread were non-existent in the wilderness. Small bands of nomads used to such a life might scratch out enough to get by but a group the size of a large city would soon come to a point of starvation.
Is it not just like God to show us our need and helplessness before acting on our behalf. Israel should have known this. Had not the Lord met each need as it arose? Instead the people murmured and expressed terrible ingratitude. Were they really well off in Egypt? Was not their problem just foolish unbelief in God's care and power?
The human heart is exposed not only in their unbelief and ingratitude but also in the manner of their murmuring. Men deceive and hide their guilt even from themselves. Rather than attack God directly they murmured against His servants. Was not this simply a veiled attack upon the Lord Himself. Those who find fault with God's people or attack His messengers need to consider their real intentions.

2. Grace - Verse 4
We would expect to read that God responded to their sorry complaints by raining fire and brimstone upon them. Rather He promised to send "bread from Heaven." Indeed we learn that every need of Israel was supplied during the forty years of wilderness wonderings (Deuteronomy 29:5).

3. Testing - verses 4-8
While God was gracious in His response yet Israel was to consider that He had heard their murmurings and knew against whom they were really directed. The very provision of their needs was carried out in a manner that would test their desire to follow the Lord. God's methods expose the heart of man. Consider the following:
a. The manna was to fall daily. No vast stores could be accumulated. Israel will remain in a position where they must live by faith day by day. Should not we also consider why God only permits us to ask for "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). Not a day is to pass that we do not look to Him.
b. God was very explicit in His laws concerning the gathering of the manna and the Sabbath restriction. Both faith and love for God were needed to motivate Israel to obedience. Many never seem to grasp that true love for God is manifest in our obedience to the details of His word (John 14:15).

4. Bread From Heaven - Verses 9-15
As a sign that the Lord would act His glory appeared in a special manner through the pillar. The people were reminded of their sin and then God made His promises known through Moses. Both flesh and bread would be provided.
There is no valid way to deny the supernatural character of God’s provision. Deuteronomy 8:3 explains that the manna was given to produce faith. Man does not live only by his own efforts to acquire his needs, but by faith in God who has but to speak and the need is supplied. May we like Christ us this against the fiery darts of unbelief cast at us by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).
Some have foolishly attempted to explain away the supernatural nature of these provisions. Quail migrate in large numbers in this part of the world but who does not see God's hand in the timing and size of the flock.
The sending of the manna gives even greater evidence of God’s power. Consider the miraculous details:
a. A vast amount was required to supply two million people. This need was fully met.
b. The manna had never fallen before God promised it nor after Israel entered Canaan (Joshua 5:10-12). Indeed the people had never seen it before.
c. Double the amount of manna fell on the sixth day.
d. No manna ever fell on the seventh day.
e. Manna kept over night always rotted except that gathered on the sixth day.
f. The pot of manna gathered as a testimony lasted for generations.

5. An Equality - Verses 16-18
Worthy of notice is the manner in which God fed Israel. None were placed above another or allowed to hoard or sell the manna. It had to be gathered daily by each person. Any stored would spoil. We also learn that once the manna was gathered it was placed in a common store from which each person was measured out an omer. Neither greed nor good fortune in gathering could hinder this equality. What are the spiritual lessons to be gleaned here:
a. Greed is a real danger to men. Let us learn to be content with the provision of our needs (Proverbs 30:7-9, I Timothy 6:8).
b. Political communism is not justified by these scriptures. This system destroys the incentive for labor and is certainly beside the point being made here. The manna was not the just reward of honest labor but a free gift like salvation and other spiritual blessings given to the undeserving. The correct understanding is as follows:
(1) Those who receive Christ as the bread of life have all they need in Him (Ephesians 1:3-4). Christ's salvation is free and cannot be hoarded or sold.
(2) In God's kingdom there is an interdependence that should produce equality. Each saint has spiritual gifts and strengths that are to be used for others. Even physical wealth can be used to supply the needs of those who have met our needs in other ways.
Paul used this principle to promote an offering for the poor saints at Jerusalem. They had shared their spiritual benefits with the Gentiles. Now that they were in physical need the Gentiles were to provide for this need out of the bounty God had provided (II Corinthians 8:13-15).
Never hoard the blessings that God has given you. They will only decay (Matthew 6:19). Remember how much you have been blessed by others. The person who finds much manna one day may become dependent the next.

6. Disobedience - Verses 19-21
God had a distinct purpose for wanting the manna gathered daily. Only on the Sabbath were they to eat yesterday's manna. As expected some did not obey. God wants our unquestioning obedience (I Samuel 15:22). As already mentioned this is the real test of faith and love.

7. The Sabbath - Verses 22-26
The Sabbath was a gift to Israel for their spiritual and physically well-being (Mark 2:27). The principle still applies. Man needs a day to rest and worship. Let those who labor on the Lord's Day for no other reason than material gain consider that God is still able to supply our needs (Matthew 6:33).

8. Further Provocation - Verses 27-31
The manna provided a test and Israel failed at every point. Consider well that none of the people of this generation entered Canaan (Hebrews 3:19).
The manna for the Sabbath was to be gathered on Friday and also prepared on that day (verse 33). Would not we be better off to leave the Lord's day as free of distraction as possible so that it might be used for worship and rest.

9. A Testimony For Future Generations - Verses 32-34
The Lord wishes his great works to be remembered. Future generations are blessed by the record of God's power and grace. To this end a pot of manna was to be kept. It was eventually placed in the ark of the covenant with the two tables of stone and Aaron's rod that budded. Let us be careful to leave a testimony and raise up an Ebenezer for future generations (Psalm 48:12-13, I Samuel 7:12).

10. Forty Years - Verses 35-36
God never closes one door of provision without opening another (Joshua 5:12). For forty years no Israelite ever did without.

11. The True Bread From Heaven - John 6:32-33
Bible teachers have always found in the manna a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. While some have overtaxed their imaginations in finding parallels yet it cannot be doubted that the manna was intended to point to the Saviour. The following points somewhat expound the typology:
a. Bread From Heaven
In John 6 we have the record of Christ feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fishes. This miracle attracted the people to the Saviour. Our Lord was grieved because their interest in Him was not of a spiritual nature. They wanted physical not spiritual bread. Even the manna was referred to in an attempt to convince Christ to duplicate the miracle (verses 31-32). Their whole attitude caused Christ to preach His sermon on the true bread from Heaven (verses 26-65).
The Lord Jesus taught that He was the true bread that gave life (verses 33-35, 51). This was in contrast to the manna given to Israel (verses 32, 49-50) which did not give eternal life. Our Lord was not denying that the manna was intended to be a type or picture of Himself. He in fact assumed this when He referred to Himself as the "Bread of Life." The manna was however only a picture or type.
b. The Freeness Of Salvation
The manna was freely given to those who did not earn or deserve it. Like salvation through Christ it was not for sale (Isaiah 55:1, Ephesians 2:8-9).
c. Seeking The Bread Of Life
The manna had to be gathered by all. This was done the first thing in the morning. Likewise each sinner must seek Christ for their self. Those who hope to find the Saviour need to seek Him early.
d. Partaking Of The Bread Of Life
The manna was of no benefit unless it was eaten. Likewise Christ spoke of our eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This was symbolic language for the appropriation of Christ and His salvation by faith (Compare John 6:53-56 with verse 35).
e. Daily Bread
The manna was to be gathered day by day. In this the need for daily fellowship with Christ was typified. We are not to live on yesterday’s blessings but we must maintain a daily communion with the Saviour. This fresh and inner fellowship is referred to in Revelation 2:17. The source of our life and strength is hid from the world.
f. Equality In Christ
All Israelites received the same portion of manna. In the same manner all saints receive a fullness of blessings through Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Some come with weak faith while others with a strong faith, but all receive the same Saviour. As Christians our growth and rewards depend upon obedience but each Christian is complete in Christ as far as salvation is concerned (Colossians 2:10).
g. The Mixed Multitude
The manna was despised by the mixed multitude (Numbers 11:4-6). Christ never satisfies the unsaved who profess to be God’s children. Beware of those who want worldly fare in God's house. They grow bored with services where only the spiritual is emphasized (Acts 2:42). The true manna is hidden from them (Revelation 2:17). The mixed multitude is to be a warning to us (I Corinthians 10:1-6).