Topical Encyclopedia Manna, the miraculous sustenance provided by God to the Israelites during their wilderness journey, holds significant theological and historical importance. It served as a daily reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. However, the narrative of manna also includes a sobering account of the Israelites' ingratitude and the subsequent divine punishment they faced for loathing this heavenly bread.Biblical Account The account of manna begins shortly after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. As they journeyed through the desert, they faced the harsh reality of scarcity. In response to their complaints, God provided manna, described as "a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground" (Exodus 16:14). This miraculous food appeared each morning, except on the Sabbath, and was to be gathered according to each person's need. Despite the initial gratitude, the Israelites' attitude towards manna shifted over time. Numbers 11:4-6 records their growing discontent: "Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, '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!'" Divine Response and Punishment The Israelites' complaints were not merely about food preferences; they reflected a deeper spiritual issue—a lack of trust and appreciation for God's provision. Their longing for the foods of Egypt symbolized a desire to return to their former life of bondage, disregarding the freedom and future God had promised. In response to their grumbling, God provided quail in abundance, but this came with a severe consequence. Numbers 11:18-20 recounts God's words to Moses: "Tell the people: 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow you will eat meat, because you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!" Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"'" The narrative continues with a divine plague that struck the people as they consumed the quail, resulting in the death of many. Numbers 11:33 states, "While the meat was still between their teeth and before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague." Theological Implications The episode of manna and the Israelites' punishment for loathing it serves as a profound lesson on the importance of gratitude and trust in God's provision. It underscores the dangers of discontentment and the spiritual peril of longing for the past rather than embracing God's promises for the future. The manna narrative invites believers to reflect on their own attitudes towards God's daily provisions and to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, recognizing that God's ways, though sometimes mysterious, are always for the ultimate good of His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 21:6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Justification by an Imputed Righteousness; part ii Resources What was manna? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the hidden manna mentioned in Revelation 2:17? | GotQuestions.org Why did the Israelites need manna if they had flocks/herds of animals that they could eat? | 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) |