Author: Administrador

In this week’s text, we continue journeying with the Israelites in Exodus’ narrative of the wilderness trek. As with last week’s Exodus text, we are presented with rich opportunities for thinking about who God is and how God responds to and provides for the people in a time of incredible anxiety and danger. In turn, … Continue reading “Exodus 17:1-7 Commentary by Amy Erickson”

In the biblical traditions, the wilderness is a space of depravity where people’s most basic needs are lacking. During the time of Lent, many people create a sense of want by withholding themselves from coffee, chocolate or some other pleasure. However, for some, Lent is an all too real reality in which they may feel … Continue reading “Exodus 17:1-7 Commentary by Juliana Claassens”

Exodus 17:1-7 is a narrative that shares much in common with the complaint narratives that have preceded it. Its structure is the same as the other stories: (1) the people encounter a potentially devastating threat to their well-being; (2) they then complain to their leadership; (3) their human leaders bring the complaint before God; and … Continue reading “Exodus 17:1-7 Commentary by Callie Plunket-Brewton”

Exodus 16 has many themes that speak to Christians today–grumbling by the people of God, good provision by God, and the importance of Sabbath rest. Exodus 1:8 tells us that after the Israelites had lived in Egypt for some time in relative peace, “a new king [pharaoh] arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” … Continue reading “Exodus 16:2-15 Commentary by Nancy deClaissé-Walford”

“Whine, whine, whine…. Complain, complain, complain. That’s all the Israelites do.” I often hear this kind of complaint (!) from students. But is that what this story is really about? The stubbornness of the Israelites and their inability to accept their freedom? My students are picking up on an important theme in the wilderness stories, … Continue reading “Exodus 16:2-15 Commentary by Amy Erickson”

The narrative of Exodus 16:2-15 is powerful and rich with homiletical possibilities. Divine testing, the function of God’s instruction (torah) in our lives, and the importance of complaint are just a few of the themes in this chapter on which a preacher might choose to focus. Each of these themes, however, is embedded in a … Continue reading “Exodus 16:2-15 Commentary by Callie Plunket-Brewton”

Give us this day our daily bread…and meat. Anyone who has ever led a large group of people through unfamiliar territory is sure to have heard complaints — often over trivial matters — from some or even many members of the group. The complaining can quickly sour relationships and provoke the leader to regret that … Continue reading “Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Commentary by Elna K. Solvang”

What does it mean to know God? Depending on the individual, the congregation, or even the denominational tradition, knowing God can sometimes be reduced to an intellectual exercise.  This text tells us that the knowledge of God is connected to an experience of God, and especially experiencing God’s provision.  Knowing God is also expressed in … Continue reading “Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Commentary by Sara Koenig”

Exodus might be regarded as the beginning proper of the Israelite story. Now they are more than an extended family, they are a “congregation,” a single body united by ties of kinship, and affiliation by choice on their way to becoming a nation. Israelite identity is complex. Their founding family comes from what will become … Continue reading “Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Commentary by Wil Gafney”

Much has happened in the biblical narrative between last Sunday and this one. This people, a mixed group of rag-tag slaves, have witnessed God’s great power over Pharaoh on their behalf. This is a revolutionary act. Slaves are ignored and irrelevant in the course of history. Gods do not act for slaves, but for kings … Continue reading “Exodus 16:1-18 Commentary by Beth L. Tanner”