“And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.” Exodus 16:1-2

Wilderness of Sin

In the original text the Wilderness of Sin had nothing to do with sin, but in Exodus chapter 16 it has a lot to do with it. The Israelites are exactly one month into their journey, so their provisions are probably running out, but rather than trust God to supply more, they complain and anticipate they will starve. Hmmm…how many times have I been in the same wilderness? Sadly, too many times to count.

In verse 3 they talk about the pots of meat and bread they had in Eygpt, apparently completely forgetting the slavery part they had cried out to the Lord to deliver them from! Been there, done that, too. God has delivered me from any number of situations and circumstances, and as soon as the memory is even a little cold, I’m complaining about the next thing on my list—as if He can’t deliver me from that as well.

Even though God knows they are rebelling against Him, He provides for them, literally raining bread from heaven (verse 4a). God has unlimited resources, which means He doesn’t have to do things in expected ways. Sometimes He does, but we can’t put Him or the way He provides for us in a box (no matter how hard we might try to).

God provides for the Israelites on His terms. He gives very specific instructions and flat-out says He’s going to test them to determine whether or not they will walk (obediently) in His law (vs 4b). I don’t think this means He didn’t already know some wouldn’t. I don’t think He was shocked with their disobedience and rebellion, just like He isn’t with ours. And just like He does with us, in the middle of their complaining He gives them a gift, completely undeserved, but He does it anyway out of love.

He introduces a wonderful concept: the Sabbath. A day of complete rest, a day of refreshing. He rested on the seventh day of Creation, and He is providing for, and calling His people to, do the same (Exodus 16:16-25).

Amazingly, even when we are rebelling and complaining in whatever wilderness of sin we find ourselves in, God still loves us and wants to provide for us. He still wants us to rest and be refreshed. I pray we trust Him to provide how He sees fit, finding the peace and rest He is calling us to.

“Father God, thank You for Your patience with us even when we find ourselves in the wilderness of sin. Help us trust in Your way of provision, and fully rest in You. Amen.”