The Exodus is a pivotal event in the history of Israel, marking the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. This event is foundational to Jewish identity and is celebrated annually during the festival of Passover. The narrative of the Exodus is primarily found in the Book of Exodus, chapters 1 through 15.

The account begins with the Israelites living in Egypt, where they had initially settled during the time of Joseph. Over time, a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and viewed the growing Israelite population as a threat. Consequently, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites and subjected them to harsh labor (Exodus 1:8-14).

God heard the cries of His people and called Moses to lead them out of Egypt. Moses, initially reluctant, was empowered by God to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, leading to a series of ten plagues that demonstrated the power of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites (Exodus 12:29-31).

The Israelites departed in haste, and God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When Pharaoh pursued them with his army, God miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The Egyptian army was subsequently drowned when the waters returned (Exodus 14:21-28).

The Exodus is not only a historical event but also a theological paradigm of redemption and deliverance. It signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His power to save. The event is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a demonstration of God's mighty acts and His commitment to His people.

Manna

Manna is the miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness following the Exodus from Egypt. The account of manna is primarily found in Exodus 16 and Numbers 11.

After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they traveled into the Desert of Sin, where they began to grumble against Moses and Aaron due to a lack of food. In response, God promised to rain down bread from heaven to sustain them (Exodus 16:4). Each morning, the Israelites found a fine, flake-like substance on the ground, which they called "manna." The name is derived from the Hebrew phrase "man hu," meaning "What is it?" (Exodus 16:15).

Manna had specific instructions for collection: each person was to gather an omer per day, and no more. On the sixth day, they were to gather twice as much in preparation for the Sabbath, on which no manna would appear (Exodus 16:22-26). Any attempt to hoard manna resulted in it becoming foul and worm-infested, except for the portion saved for the Sabbath, which remained fresh (Exodus 16:19-24).

The manna was described as white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31). It served as the Israelites' primary sustenance throughout their wilderness journey until they reached the border of Canaan (Exodus 16:35).

Manna is often seen as a symbol of God's provision and faithfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," drawing a parallel between the manna in the wilderness and His own role as the spiritual sustenance for believers (John 6:31-35). The provision of manna underscores the theme of reliance on God for daily needs and His ability to provide in miraculous ways.