Manna from Heaven
Ilumi Kids · Stories
God's people, led by Moses, were traveling through a big desert. The sun was hot, and sand stretched everywhere. They had left Egypt, where they were slaves, and now they were on their way to the Promised Land.
After a while, the food they brought from Egypt ran out. Their tummies started to rumble, and the people grew worried and missed the food they used to have. They complained to Moses, saying they wished they had stayed in Egypt.
In the desert, the people of Israel were hungry and complained. God heard them and sent quail in the evening and, in the morning, a sweet white food on the ground that they called manna. Each family was to gather only what they needed for the day, and twice as much on Friday so they could rest on the Sabbath. God fed them for forty years.
Where it is in the Bible: Exodus 16
God takes care of us every day; we can trust that tomorrow he will take care of us again.
After reading, use these questions to help your child remember and apply the story.
God's people, led by Moses, were traveling through a big desert. The sun was hot, and sand stretched everywhere. They had left Egypt, where they were slaves, and now they were on their way to the Promised Land.
After a while, the food they brought from Egypt ran out. Their tummies started to rumble, and the people grew worried and missed the food they used to have. They complained to Moses, saying they wished they had stayed in Egypt.
Moses and Aaron took the people's worries to God. God, in His endless goodness, heard His people. He told Moses that He would send a sign from heaven so everyone would know He was taking care of them.
God promised He would send food in a very special way. In the evening, they would have meat to eat, and every morning, they would have fresh bread from heaven.
God: I have heard the complaints of the people. In the evening, you will eat meat, and in the morning, you will have plenty of bread.
That very evening, something amazing happened! A huge flock of birds, called quails, flew in and landed all over the camp. There were so many birds that they were easy to catch.
The people were so happy! That night, everyone had a delicious dinner with roasted meat, exactly as God had promised. It was God's first gift to satisfy their hunger in the desert.
The next morning, another surprise was waiting for them. After the dew dried, there was a layer of thin, white flakes on the ground, like frost. The people looked in wonder and asked, 'What is this?'
That's why they called that food 'Manna.' Moses explained, 'This is the bread the Lord is giving you to eat.' It tasted sweet, like honey cakes.
It was white like coriander seed. It tasted like wafers made with honey. — Exodus 16:31
God gave an important rule. Each family should only gather enough for that day. It was no use saving it, because it would spoil! This way, they learned to trust that God would send more the next day.
But on Friday, they could gather double. This made sure they had food for the Sabbath, their special day of rest. Every day, for forty years, God took care of His people with bread from heaven.
