Exodus 16:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?

NIV: Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?

NASB: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions?

CSB: Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and instructions?

NLT: The Lord asked Moses, 'How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

NKJV: And the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?

When God sent Moses to demand Israel's freedom from slavery (Exodus 1:11–14; 3:10), Pharaoh was stubborn. Despite multiple commands from the Lord, he was disobedient (Exodus 7:14; 8:2; 9:2; 10:3; 13:15). Now that Israel is free (Exodus 12:40–41), they have demonstrated disobedience of their own. When Moses told them not to save manna overnight, some ignored Him (Exodus 16:19–20). When he said not to collect manna on the seventh day, some ignored Him (Exodus 16:27).

In this case, the defiance only earns a stern reprimand from God. He expresses this to Moses, the representative of the people. The word "you" in this verse is plural. The question itself is not really a question, but a statement that Israel should know better. Later, the Lord will provide stern warnings about the extreme importance of His commands (Leviticus 26). He will tell the people about the "curses" that come from disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Sadly, many of those terribly negative consequences come upon Israel as recorded in the book of Judges.

Exodus 16:13–30 explains the miraculous provision of meat and bread during Israel's journey through the wilderness. Quail—small birds—arrive at night. In the morning, the ground is covered in a strange substance. This becomes a bread-like food for Israel, later called "manna" (Exodus 16:31). It also symbolizes their daily dependence on God—it could not be kept longer than instructed, so the people had to continually trust the Lord to provide more. To further prove this, God instructs the people to rest on the seventh day of the week.

As the recently-rescued Israelites (Exodus 14:21–31) journey on, they complain about food. God provides them with manna: a grain-like substance which miraculously appears each morning. The people are given instructions about how to gather and use manna. Only on the sixth day of the week can they collect more and keep leftovers for the following day. That seventh day is to be a time of rest, called a "sabbath."

Israel has celebrated (Exodus 15:1) their miraculous escape through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–28). They have survived their first hardship (Exodus 15:23–25). God now provides manna in response to their complaints about food. He also begins to establish the concept of the seventh-day Sabbath. Soon, the Lord will send another miracle regarding water (Exodus 17:1–7) and the people will have their first military battle (Exodus 17:8–16). Shortly after this, Moses' father-in-law will arrive and offer some helpful advice (Exodus 18).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/15/2025 6:18:50 AM