Topical Bible: Manna: Given: Through Moses

◄ Manna: Given: Through Moses ►

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Introduction:
Manna is a miraculous provision of food given by God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It is a significant symbol of God's providence and care for His people, as well as a foreshadowing of spiritual sustenance provided through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Account:
The account of manna is primarily found in the Book of Exodus, with additional references in Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Nehemiah, Psalms, and the New Testament. The initial provision of manna is described in Exodus 16, where the Israelites, having left Egypt, find themselves in the Desert of Sin and begin to grumble against Moses and Aaron due to a lack of food.

Description and Collection:
Manna is described as a fine, flake-like substance, as fine as frost on the ground (Exodus 16:14). It appeared each morning after the dew evaporated and was to be gathered daily by the Israelites, with specific instructions to collect an omer per person. On the sixth day, they were to gather twice as much in preparation for the Sabbath, during which no manna would appear (Exodus 16:22-26).

The taste of manna is likened to wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31) and later described as having the taste of something made with olive oil (Numbers 11:8). The Israelites were instructed to bake or boil it, and it served as their primary sustenance throughout their wilderness journey.

Significance and Symbolism:
Manna is a profound symbol of God's provision and faithfulness. It served as a daily reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for their needs. The miraculous nature of manna, appearing consistently for 40 years and ceasing once the Israelites entered the Promised Land (Joshua 5:12), underscores God's sovereignty and care.

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to manna in His discourse on the Bread of Life, drawing a parallel between the manna given to the Israelites and Himself as the true bread from heaven. In John 6:31-35 , Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This connection highlights the spiritual nourishment and eternal life offered through Christ.

Preservation and Memorial:
As a memorial of God's provision, an omer of manna was preserved in a jar and placed before the Testimony, as commanded by God to Moses (Exodus 16:32-34). This act served as a tangible reminder for future generations of God's miraculous sustenance and faithfulness during the wilderness period.

Conclusion:
Manna remains a powerful testament to God's provision and a foreshadowing of the spiritual sustenance found in Jesus Christ. Its account continues to inspire faith and reliance on God's promises throughout the ages.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 6:31,32
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great Crisis in Popular Feeling - the Last Discourses in the ...
... Their fathers had eaten manna in the wilderness. ... God had given them this bread out
of heaven, yet it was given through the merits of Moses, and ceased ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxii the great crisis.htm

Objection that Some were Baptized unto Moses and Believed in Him ...
... come unto me and drink." [976] The manna is a ... the Lord a trifle, because it was
signified beforehand through Moses? ... does not follow that the grace given of the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xiv objection that some.htm

The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan under Joshua is Typical of ...
... river." And Joshua, who succeeded Moses, was a type of Jesus Christ, who succeeds
the dispensation through the law ... For the manna, though it was given by God ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/26 the story of israel.htm

"The Fullness of the Time"
... by dwelling upon the assurance given through Moses, "A Prophet ... salvation is communicated
to men through human agencies ... They had hoarded the living manna, and it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 3 the fullness of.htm

Eldad and Medad
... Turning with loathing from the manna, they whimpered, like spoilt ... This unique experience
was given by God, and ... the blessing had not come through Moses; but the ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

On Heresies.
... and on that side, and had led the people through them as through a dry ... stony rock
for them when they were thirsty; [3172] and had given them manna out of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on heresies.htm

Of the Miracles which God Has Condescended to Adhibit through the ...
... that Abraham's barren wife should have given birth to a ... power, while the people were
conducted through the wilderness ... of the manna that descended from heaven to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of the miracles which.htm

Of the Advent of Jesus; of the Fortunes of the Jews, and their ...
... For He made His people to pass through the midst of the Red Sea, His ... [564] See Psalm
78:24: "He rained down manna upon them ... [567] Apis is the name given by the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap x of the advent of.htm

Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... law (not such as He had already given to the ... 1182] in Egypt, and was transported
through the Red ... fed on "angel's loaves" [1185] "the manna"and sufficiently ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iii of circumcision and the.htm

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... And through nearly forty years of wandering the Israelites ... by the withholding of
the manna every seventh ... reverence for the institution He Himself had given. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm