Topical Bible: Manna: Like in Taste to Wafers Made With Honey

◄ Manna: Like in Taste to Wafers Made With Honey ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Description:
Manna is the miraculous food provided by God to the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It is described in the Bible as a divine sustenance that appeared each morning, except on the Sabbath, and was gathered by the Israelites for their daily nourishment.

Biblical References:
The primary accounts of manna are found in the books of Exodus and Numbers. In Exodus 16:14-15 , it is described: "When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes like frost on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, 'It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.'"

Physical Characteristics:
Manna is depicted as small, round, and white, resembling coriander seed. Its appearance is further detailed in Exodus 16:31 : "Now the house of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey." This description highlights its pleasant taste, akin to sweet wafers, which provided not only sustenance but also a delightful flavor.

Collection and Use:
The Israelites were instructed to gather manna each morning, collecting only what was needed for the day. Any excess would spoil by the next day, except on the sixth day, when they were to gather a double portion to prepare for the Sabbath rest (Exodus 16:22-26). This daily provision emphasized reliance on God's faithfulness and obedience to His commands.

Spiritual Significance:
Manna holds deep spiritual significance as a symbol of God's provision and care for His people. It serves as a reminder of His ability to sustain and nourish both physically and spiritually. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," drawing a parallel between manna and His own role as the spiritual sustenance for believers (John 6:31-35).

Cultural and Historical Context:
The provision of manna is a central narrative in the history of Israel, illustrating God's miraculous intervention and the testing of the Israelites' faith and obedience. It is a testament to God's covenant relationship with His people, providing for their needs in the harsh conditions of the wilderness.

Theological Implications:
Manna is often seen as a foreshadowing of the Eucharist or Communion in Christian theology, representing the sustenance provided by Christ's body and blood. It underscores themes of dependence on God, the importance of daily spiritual nourishment, and the anticipation of the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Conclusion:
Manna remains a powerful symbol within the Christian faith, representing God's provision, faithfulness, and the sweet sustenance found in a relationship with Him. Its description as "like wafers made with honey" captures both its physical and spiritual appeal, serving as a reminder of the sweetness of God's care and the richness of His blessings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 16:31
And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Bread and Gravel
... but not less real, if it nourishes some inclination or taste of a ... and the bread which
He gives tastes as the manna of old did, like wafers made of honey. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/bread and gravel.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... men these words are as wafers made with honey, manna, angels' food ... They are as sweet
to the taste of the Lord ... their tongue seems set on a hinge, like a pendulum ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... were successful on the battle-field, and like them they ... not appear to have had a
confirmed taste for war ... over, he remained on the defensive, and made no further ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm