source © Fred Friberg
This week in Church School, we learned about how after the Israelites escaped the Egyptians by crossing the Red Sea, they found themselves in an immense desert. They did not have anything to eat or drink, and they began to get a little cranky and whiny with our guy Moses. In spite of their childish behavoir, God takes pity on the Israelites by providing them with manna, quail, and water (from a rock!). However, the Israelites are soon back to their old tricks, taking more than they need despite God's specific instructions otherwise. They wake up to find their manna hoard covered in worms. Gross!
Several themes that come out of this story:
- Perserverance and positive attitude: The Israelites were major whiners and complainers, failing to trust that God would provide for them. Challenge your children to think about one thing they whine/complain about all the time. See if they can give it up for a week. Don't forget to ask God for help!
- "Give us this day our daily bread:" God provided for the Israelites in the same way we ask God to provide for us in the Lord's Prayer. How can we be God's hands and feet in the world, providing for our neighbors? This would be a good time to talk with your child about the Fall Harvest Offering going on in Church School. Go the the grocery store with your child and shop for some "manna" to bring for their offering.
