February 6 - Exodus 16:1-19:25

Good morning everyone,

Chapter 16 begins with, “The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin” where, btw, it did not take long for them to begin grumbling against Moses and Aaron. They complained about how hungry they were, remembering their days in Egypt when they sat around pots of meat and ate all the food they wanted.” Wait! What? That’s not exactly a correct account of their previous lives. More accurately they, slaves you’ll remember, spent the whole of every day gathering straw to make bricks under the blistering Egyptian sun and whip of the task master. There was no glamorous dining going on.

Nonetheless, the Lord said He would rain down bread from heaven for them. They were to go out each day and gather an omer or about two quarts for each person each day. This was a test for them, to see if they could follow God’s  instructions. When some of the people tried to save extra, it became wormy and spoiled. On the sixth day they were suppose to gather twice as much to carry them through Sunday, allowing the a day of rest.

So, what is this bread from heaven? The Hebrew word translated “manna” literally means “what is it?” They didn’t know and apparently they didn’t give it a name, the bread is simply called “mamma” or “what is it.” Funny, right?

Though we do not know the texture of manna, we are told is that “it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey” In Numbers it says that manna’s appearance was like “bdellium” or “resin.” Psalms refers to manna as “grain from heaven,” and the next verse calls it “bread of angels.” So, it seems manna was actually a bread that God caused to miraculously appear each morning during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. Manna sustained Israel; it gave them life—even the strength to fight battles when necessary. How great is our God?! But eventually this would not be enough for them and they would again complain.

Sadly, just like the Israelites wandering the desert, many people, Christians included are murmurers and complainers. In the home, on the job and in the local church they grumble, murmur and complain. They feel empty and hungry for something. God said, “I will feed them.”John 6:35, “Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus is our living bread, take and eat.

By equating Himself with bread, Jesus is saying that He is essential for life, He is our daily manna. I get that. But the life Jesus is referring to is not physical life, rather eternal life. Now, I know for the most part I am preaching to the choir, however, I would encourage you all, and remind myself, to each day open our Bibles and read, receive our daily bread while remembering, “All Scripture is god breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

Don’t starve yourself of the Word. You will become weak and an easy mark for the enemy who prowls around like a lion waiting to pounce on and devour those who become fragile or vulnerable from lack of proper nourishment.”Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..