Manna, the miraculous sustenance provided by God to the Israelites during their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness, is a significant symbol of divine provision and faithfulness. Despite its miraculous nature, the Israelites often expressed dissatisfaction with manna, comparing it unfavorably to the food they had in Egypt.

Biblical Account and Description

Manna first appears in the biblical narrative in Exodus 16, where it is described as a fine, flake-like substance, as fine as frost on the ground (Exodus 16:14). The Israelites were instructed to gather it daily, with a double portion on the sixth day to prepare for the Sabbath rest (Exodus 16:5). Manna is further described in Numbers 11:7-8 as resembling coriander seed and having a taste like that of cakes baked with oil.

Dissatisfaction and Comparison to Egyptian Food

Despite its divine origin, the Israelites frequently expressed discontent with manna, longing for the variety of foods they had in Egypt. In Numbers 11:4-6 , the Israelites lamented, "Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!" This complaint highlights their ingratitude and lack of faith, as they romanticized their past in Egypt, forgetting the harshness of their bondage.

Spiritual Significance and Lessons

The Israelites' comparison of manna to the food of Egypt serves as a poignant reminder of human tendency to undervalue divine provision when faced with trials. Manna was not merely physical sustenance but a test of obedience and trust in God's provision. Deuteronomy 8:3 emphasizes this lesson: "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."

Typology and New Testament Reference

In the New Testament, manna is seen as a type of Christ, the true Bread from Heaven. Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life" in John 6:31-35 , drawing a parallel between the manna given to the Israelites and His own role as the spiritual sustenance for believers. This typology underscores the superiority of Christ's provision over the temporary and ultimately unsatisfying sustenance of the world.

Conclusion

The narrative of manna and the Israelites' complaints against it serve as a powerful illustration of the struggle between faith and doubt, contentment and desire. It challenges believers to trust in God's provision and to recognize the sufficiency of His grace, even when faced with the allure of worldly comforts.Numbers 11:4-6
And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 252]85; head of Christians only, [253]150; not inferior to the ... doubted by some,
[546]124; shown from history of the Israelites, [547]133 ... Manna, the, [1096]361. ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... the nature of sea; and to the Israelites indeed it ... and the wonders in the desert,
the manna, the pillar ... of their soul soar upwards, they counted their sojourn ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... children of the covenant,' perfect Israelites,' Israelites in every ... the millstones
to make the manna for the ... over that which had been counted, measured, tied ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... (1.) We received, by our thus being counted in him, that benefit which did ... No, all
thy righteousness, from Egypt to Canaan, will not purchase Canaan for thee. ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... will benefit us nothing as to life eternal, though we should be counted righteous
by ... overlaid round about with gold, the golden pot that had manna, Aaron's rod ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

part ii
... earthly vanity, with earthly nothingness, with earthly allurements, with food, drink,
dress ... been to his Creator in His providence for the inferior spirits or men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

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