Exodus 16:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Through the miraculous provisions of manna and quails, the Lord continues to perform various wonders, gaining strength from one act to the next, as it is articulated in Psalm 83:8: He provides guidance for those who are untested, showcasing His glory in all circumstances. He demonstrates that it is within His power alone to accomplish the extraordinary without effort—things that justly inspire awe—so that He is recognized as God, distinct from any skilled individual or wicked creators, inherently and authentically divine. Through His magnificent deeds, it becomes evident to all the nature of His holiness, marked by omnipotence and the ability to do all that He desires. Moreover, He is characterized by a lack of remorse for His righteous actions.

It is important to note that after crossing the sea and the virtuous travelers had relished the waters, enjoyed their time by the springs and date trees, and drank from the rock, the Egyptians’ supplies of food were utterly depleted. Consequently, when there was no longer any food from Egypt available, nourishment began to descend from above. This divine provision was simultaneously varied and uniform; its appearance was consistent, yet the quality was diverse, tailored to satisfy each individual’s desires. What can we glean from this? It illustrates the extensive means by which one must cleanse oneself from the influences of Egyptian and foreign life, ensuring that the soul is emptied of all sinful sustenance that the Egyptians cultivate. Only then can a purified spirit receive the heavenly nourishment that is not cultivated through human effort, but is the bread that comes down from above, which is manifest on earth.

We express these thoughts, dear brethren, with vigilant hearts so that we remain cautious. As we journey from Egypt, spending forty days much like the forty years in pursuit of the promised land, let us not yearn for the flesh pots and rich dishes of Egypt, lest we, too, face the consequences of our choices (Num. 21:6). We have departed from Egypt—what need do we have for its earthly sustenance? Those of us who possess the celestial bread should not crave material nourishment. Having abandoned Pharaoh, we must call upon the Lord’s assistance so that the Egyptian king may be drowned alongside us in the waters of baptism. May his chariots and horsemen be destroyed, and may the fierce forces of the foe be vanquished. Let us refrain from grumbling against the Lord, so that we do not incur His judgment.

This occurrence, although it was historically realized in that nation, continues to manifest daily among us. For anyone who, after distancing themselves from worldly pursuits, reverts to previous concerns and cravings, expresses through actions and thoughts the very same sentiment as those who proclaimed, "It was good for me in Egypt." Are there not countless individuals resembling the rebels during Moses' time? Of all those who left Egypt, among the six hundred thousand men counted, only a small number, fewer than two, were privileged to enter the promised land. Therefore, let us earnestly seek virtuous examples from the few and rare individuals, as the Gospel reminds us that many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). Merely abandoning physical possessions and relocating from Egypt offers us no advantage unless we also strive for a deeper, more beneficial renunciation of the heart.

Cook suggests that the Israelites recall the plagues of Egypt, particularly through the phrase, ‘if they had died by the hand of the Lord!’ This naturally leads to the conclusion that they are referencing the divine wonders performed in Egypt. By comparing this expression with Numbers 11:5, it can be understood that although the Israelites endured harsh labor in Egypt, they were likely well-nourished. This may have resulted from the governmental provisions that managed their work as well as the yield from their own lands. Historical Egyptian records indicate that workers received food. Nevertheless, the true peril for the Israelites in Egypt was not merely physical exhaustion from labor. Rather, the threat stemmed from moral degradation, enslavement, the complete annihilation of their national identity, and ultimately, the lure of idolatry.