And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. Exodus 16:13-15
The mention of the “dew” in this manner implies that, which looked like dew was, in part, dew, but not wholly so. The next verse explains it to a greater degree.
The Manna prefigured the descent of the True Bread, of which if a man eat he shall live forever ” I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51. It was a test of appetite and obedience. In Egypt, Israel had slave food; in the desert, Angel’s food. The test quickly revealed that the natural man has no appetite for Heavenly things. The people soon called it “light food.”
The Manna was so precious that it could not bear contact with the earth. It fell upon the dew and had to be gathered ere the sun was up, and freshly every morning. Yesterday’s Manna did not do for today, nor today’s for tomorrow (Numbers 9). Thus the Christian feed upon Christ every day, as He reveals Himself in the Scriptures. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
Israel in the desert presents a striking picture! Egypt behind them, Canaan before them, the wilderness around them and the Manna above them. They were a Heaven-born people and a Heaven-bound people; they ate Heaven-baked Bread.
In looking back toward Egypt, they murmured; when looking forward toward the Wilderness, they saw the Glory of the Lord.
Jesus as the Bread of Life, and He alone is, can only be had by virtue of the Cross. As l have repeatedly stated, Christ is the Source, while the Cross is the means. Read Ephesians 1.
LET’S PRAY
Ever Faithful Father, by Your Divine Mercy and Favour, tune my heart to Your Word to hear what You want me to hear, see what You` want me to see, do what You want me to do and say what You want me to say in the name of Jesus Christ.
BENEDICTION
Now, the Lord of peace HIMSELF give you peace ALWAYS by ALL means. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Fountain 😇
Categories