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Food and water in the desert

God provides manna, quail and water.
Contributed by MYELLOVE
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, German, French, Hindi
1
During the day Moses and the freed Hebrew slaves followed the large pillar of cloud that God had provided. At night this became a pillar of fire. They travelled through the desert toward Mount Sinai. But the people were hungry and started complaining. – Slide 1
2
‘In Egypt we had plenty of food. Moses, have you brought us into the desert to die of starvation?’ <br/>The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard their grumbling. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”’ – Slide 2
3
That evening quail came and covered the camp. The people caught and cooked them. In the morning, once the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost appeared on the desert floor. Everyone was puzzled, 'What is it?' they asked. Moses replied, ‘It is the bread the Lord has given you. Gather as much as you need and eat it but don't store it overnight.’ <br/>They called this food ‘manna’. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. – Slide 3
4
However, some disobeyed Moses kept some manna overnight. The next morning it was full of maggots and began to smell. <br/>Moses told them to gather what they needed for six days of the week but not on the seventh day - the Sabbath day. On the sixth day they could gather twice as much and store some of it overnight for the Sabbath day and it would stay fresh. <br/>God provided this manna for them to eat for the next 40 years. – Slide 4
5
The people then ran out of water and started complaining to Moses. ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt just to die of thirst?’ <br/>They were so angry they threatened to attack Moses. <br/>Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What am I to do with these people?’ – Slide 5
6
The Lord replied, ‘Take everyone and their leaders and stand by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock with your staff and water will come out of it.' Moses did this and water poured out of the rock. Everyone, including all their animals, had water to drink. God had once more provided for their needs. – Slide 6
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Slide 7