Topical Encyclopedia Manna, often referred to as "bread from heaven," is a miraculous provision from God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. This divine sustenance is first introduced in the Book of Exodus and is a significant symbol of God's provision and care for His people.Biblical Account The account of manna begins in Exodus 16, where the Israelites, having left Egypt, find themselves in the Desert of Sin, grumbling against Moses and Aaron due to the lack of food. In response to their complaints, the LORD promises to rain down bread from heaven. Exodus 16:4 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.'" Daily Gathering The gathering of manna was a daily task, emphasizing reliance on God's daily provision. Each morning, the Israelites were to collect an omer per person, as described in Exodus 16:16 : "This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’" The manna appeared with the dew, resembling white coriander seed and tasting like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31). Sabbath Observance A unique aspect of manna was its role in teaching the Israelites about the Sabbath. On the sixth day, they were instructed to gather twice as much, as no manna would appear on the seventh day, the Sabbath. Exodus 16:23 records, "He told them, 'This is what the LORD has said: Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.'" Lessons of Faith and Obedience The daily gathering of manna served as a test of faith and obedience. The Israelites were to trust God for their daily needs and follow His instructions precisely. Those who attempted to gather more than needed found that the excess bred worms and stank (Exodus 16:20), while those who gathered less found they had no lack (Exodus 16:18). Symbolism and New Testament References Manna is rich in symbolism, representing God's provision, sustenance, and the importance of spiritual nourishment. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "true bread from heaven" in John 6:32-35 , drawing a parallel between the manna given to the Israelites and His own role as the spiritual sustenance for believers: "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'" Preservation of Manna As a testimony to future generations, God commanded that an omer of manna be kept in a jar and placed before the Testimony (Exodus 16:32-34). This preserved manna served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision throughout the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. Conclusion The narrative of manna is a profound testament to God's provision and a call to trust in His daily care. It underscores the importance of obedience, faith, and the recognition of God's sovereignty in providing for His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 16:21And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library September the Twenty-Eighth the Daily Manna August 30 Evening Lii. Manna. Exodus xvi. 4. Christ the Bread of Life. The Cry for Bread The Duty of Every Day Letter vi. In My Last Two Letters I have Given the State of the ... The Ancestral Home The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ... The Bread of God Resources What was Jesus' message to the church in Pergamum in Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the quail mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is working on Sunday a sin? | GotQuestions.org Manna: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Manna: A Golden Pot of, Laid up in the Holiest for a Memorial Manna: An Omer of, Gathered for Each Person Manna: Blessedness Given to Saints Manna: Called: Bread from Heaven Manna: Called: Bread of Heaven Manna: Ceased when Israel Entered Canaan Manna: Fell After the Evening Dew Manna: General Scriptures Concerning Manna: Given in Answer to Prayer Manna: Given: As a Sign of Moses's Divine Mission Manna: Given: As a Test of Obedience Manna: Given: To Exhibit God's Glory Manna: Given: To Humble and Prove Israel Manna: Given: To Teach That Man Does not Live by Bread Only Manna: Given: when Israel Murmured for Bread Manna: He That Gathered Much or Little had Sufficient and Nothing Manna: Kept Longer than a Day (Except on the Sabbath) Became Corrupt Manna: Like in Colour to Bdellium Manna: Like in Taste to Wafers Made With Honey Manna: Miraculously Given to Israel for Food in the Wilderness Manna: None Fell on the Sabbath Day Manna: Preserved in the Ark of the Testimony Manna: The Israelites: At First Covetous of Manna: The Israelites: Counted Inferior to Food of Egypt Manna: The Israelites: Ground, Made Into Cakes and Baked in Pans Manna: The Israelites: Loathed Manna: The Israelites: Punished for Despising Manna: The Israelites: Punished for Loathing Manna: Two Portions of, Gathered the Sixth Day on Account of The Related Terms Coriander-seed (2 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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