Exodus 16:20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
Commentary says of verse 20, “The bad experience of their disobedience led them reluctantly to obedience.” In the parenting world and the real world, that’s called natural consequences–as in this is just the real-world consequence when you make the choices you’ve made (as opposed to “You are grounded because of the choices you’ve made”).
Exodus 16:21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.
We make decisions every day, and every decision comes with a natural consequence. Not all natural consequences are bad, and some are so much worse than others. But the math of “Should I do this or should I not? Is it worth whatever the consequence?” is the mathematics of life.
Exodus 16:22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.
Precious Savior, Thank You that You do not want automatons who follow You because we have no choice. You want us to choose You. Daily. I think it hurts Your heart when we make bad choices, choices where the natural consequences hurt us. Thank You for not turning Your back on us, no matter how stubborn we are, no matter how poor our choices. Help us to make good choices today. Amen.
Exodus 16:23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’ ”
Have a blessed day.