Topical Bible: Manna: Given: To Teach That Man Does not Live by Bread Only

◄ Manna: Given: To Teach That Man Does not Live by Bread Only ►

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Definition and Description:
Manna is a miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It is described as a fine, flake-like substance, white like coriander seed, and tasting like wafers made with honey (Exodus 16:31). Manna appeared each morning with the dew and was gathered by the Israelites for sustenance.

Biblical Context:
The account of manna is primarily found in the book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 16. The Israelites, having left Egypt, found themselves in the Desert of Sin, where they grumbled against Moses and Aaron due to the lack of food. In response, God promised to rain down bread from heaven to test whether they would follow His instructions (Exodus 16:4).

Purpose and Significance:
Manna served not only as physical sustenance but also as a spiritual lesson. It was given to teach the Israelites reliance on God and to demonstrate that life is sustained by more than just physical nourishment. This is echoed in Deuteronomy 8:3 , where Moses reminds the Israelites, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

Daily Provision and Sabbath Observance:
The Israelites were instructed to gather only as much manna as needed for each day, emphasizing daily dependence on God. On the sixth day, they were to gather a double portion to prepare for the Sabbath, when no manna would appear (Exodus 16:5). This reinforced the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and trust in God's provision.

Symbolism and Typology:
Manna is often seen as a type of Christ, the true Bread from Heaven. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35), drawing a parallel between the manna that sustained the Israelites physically and His own role in providing spiritual sustenance and eternal life.

Preservation and Memorial:
A portion of manna was preserved in a jar and placed before the Ark of the Covenant as a testimony for future generations (Exodus 16:32-34). This served as a lasting reminder of God's provision and faithfulness to His people.

Lessons and Applications:
The account of manna teaches believers about God's faithfulness, the importance of obedience, and the necessity of spiritual nourishment. It underscores the truth that reliance on God and His Word is essential for true life and fulfillment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled you, and suffered you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Training
... And we read these verses to teach us that God's ways with ... all the powers of mind
that God has given him. ... He fed the Jews in the wilderness with manna, to show ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon iv gods training.htm

The Bread of God
... There was to be a given quantity daily, and twice as ... food indeed and His blood drink
indeed.' The manna does not typically teach Christ's atonement ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... in Deuteronomy: "And fed thee with manna, which thy ... commanded me at that time to
teach you statutes ... 4002] These things, therefore, which were given for bondage ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

The Cry for Bread
... God is for us all or no, and that it does teach that at ... As with the manna fresh gathered
every morning, so all our gifts from Him are given according to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the cry for bread.htm

The Temptation
... of sustenance failed, God sent His people manna from heaven; and a sufficient and
constant supply was given. This provision was to teach them that while ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 12 the temptation.htm

John Chapter vi. 41-59
... Son by the Father: that the Father may teach thee, hear ... 524] For it was not the mouthful
given by the ... manna also came down from heaven; but the manna was only ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxvi john chapter vi.htm

Hidden Manna
... Hidden Manna. ... Some whose principles were never very deep have given them up when
placed in ... do much good, we must have truth ready to hand, and be apt to teach. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/hidden manna.htm

Letter Liv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... He answered that he could not teach me anything but what he ... here, from the fact that
the manna given to the ... not submit to be despised, as the manna could not ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter liv replies to questions.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... It is manna. ... The Scriptures plainly teach that when once we enter a state of grace,
we ... block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
... in the personality of the devil, for they plainly teach it ... used that weapon which,
as God, he had given to man ... expect that he would be fed with manna after his ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xix jesus tempted in the.htm