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Old Testament · Exodus 16:1-36

Manna in the Wilderness

After leaving Elim, the Israelites arrive in the wilderness of Sin and complain to Moses and Aaron about hunger. The LORD announces that He will provide quail in the evening and bread from heaven in the morning, while testing whether the people will follow His instructions. A flaky substance called manna appears with the dew. Each person gathers according to need, gathers twice as much before the Sabbath, and keeps an omer as a remembrance for future generations. The Israelites eat manna for forty years until they come to an inhabited land.

Coloring pages: 8Age/complexity: Explore (ages 3–5) · Imagine (ages 6–8) · Discover (ages 9–12)

Lesson resource collection

Color the story, one scene at a time.

Choose individual pages for your group, or print a coordinated story sheet when one is available.

Print Manna in the Wilderness: 4-Scene Story Sheet

Moses and the Israelites in a wilderness camp discover fine, flaky manna on the ground after the dew lifts.

Manna on the Ground

Exodus 16:1-36

Moses gives instructions while Israelites gather manna in containers around their tents.

Gathering What Each Person Needs

Exodus 16:1-36

Moses and the Israelites observe quail covering the camp near their tents in the evening, based on Exodus 16:13.

Quail Around the Camp

Exodus 16:1-36

Moses and Aaron address the Israelites in their wilderness camp as they hear the LORD’s promise of evening meat and morning bread from heaven.

The Promise of Bread from Heaven

Exodus 16:1-36

Moses speaks with the Israelites about gathering a double portion of manna on the sixth day and preparing for the Sabbath.

Preparing for a Day of Rest

Exodus 16:1-36

Moses teaches Israelites in the camp as they keep the double portion of manna gathered before the Sabbath, with prepared food and cooking vessels nearby.

Manna Preserved for the Sabbath

Exodus 16:1-36

Moses instructs Aaron to keep an omer of fine, flaky manna before the testimony as a remembrance for future generations.

Remembering God’s Provision

Exodus 16:1-36

The Israelites gathering manna in the wilderness, with a distant inhabited land representing the forty years they ate manna.

Daily Food Through the Wilderness

Exodus 16:1-36

Scripture reference

Exodus 16:1-36

Use this reference as you prepare and read the account with your class.

Talk together

A thoughtful question