Bible Study 
No Comments Exodus 14-16: The First Taste of Freedom
God knew Pharaoh’s plans and saw to it that Israel was cared for. This is providence, which means “to see before.” No matter what the enemy plans to do to you, God has already taken care of it and will tell you what to do. The pillar that brought light to Israel brought darkness to the enemy. The people of the world are walking in darkness, but God’s people have “the light of life” (John 8:12). The enemy cannot touch you without first encountering God. He opens the way and does the impossible. The next time you are in a seemingly impossible situation, remember what God did for Israel at the Red Sea. The people of Israel never forgot this victory (Psalm 66:6; Psalm 106:9; Psalm 136:13–14). Recalling God’s past help can encourage you as you face future challenges to your faith.
The first recorded song in Scripture (Exodus 15) is a pattern for true worship, for it emphasizes the Lord, who He is, and what He has done for His people. He saves His people (Exodus 15:1–10), guides them to their inheritance (Exodus 15:11–13), glorifies His name (Exodus 15:14–17), and reigns forever (Exodus 15:18). Singing is an important part of the Christian life, for it enables us to praise God and bear witness to others. Our praise should come from the Holy Spirit within (Ephesians 5:18–20) and be based on Scripture (Colossians 3:16). In this way, we worship Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
The people went from rejoicing to complaining! It is easy to sing when the circumstances are comfortable, but it takes faith to sing when you are suffering. God tests us in the everyday experiences of life to see whether we will obey Him. He is able to change our circumstances, but He would rather change us.
God did not rescue them from bondage in order to kill them with hunger! (See Romans 8:31–32) Their real problem was that they still had the old appetite and needed to learn to enjoy the new food God had for them. The manna is a picture of Jesus Christ (John 6:30). The manna came only to Israel, and all it could do was sustain physical life. But the Savior came for the whole world, and He gives spiritual life. If the Jews did not appropriate the manna, they died. Sinners must believe on Jesus Christ to receive life.