(1) What is manna?
(NET) Translations usually refer to the manna as “bread.” In fact it appears to be more like grain, because it could be ground in hand-mills and made into cakes. The word involved says it is thin, flakelike (if an Arabic etymological connection is correct). What is known about it from the Bible in Exodus is that it was a very small flakelike substance, it would melt when the sun got hot, if left over it bred worms and became foul, it could be ground, baked, and boiled, it was abundant enough for the Israelites to gather an omer a day per person, and they gathered it day by day throughout the wilderness sojourn. Num 11 says it was like coriander seed with the appearance of bdellium, it tasted like fresh oil, and it fell with the dew. Deut 8:3 says it was unknown to Israel or her ancestors; Psalm 78:24 parallels it with grain.
(2) The commandment related to manna:
a. Gather according to the number of your family members v.16-18. The Israelites did follow and "each one had gathered what he could eat." v.18b
a. Gather according to the number of your family members v.16-18. The Israelites did follow and "each one had gathered what he could eat." v.18b
b. No keeping until morning v.19 and some disobeyed v.20. This is the first time that Scriptures recorded that Moses was angry with them v.20b.
c. Gathered each morning. 6th day gathered double and 7th day nothing. v.21-22. Some followed v.24-26. But again, some did not follow v.27. This time Scriptures did not say Moses was angry. Instead, God was angry at them v.27-28.
16:23 He said to them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a time of cessation from work, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Whatever you want to bake, bake today; whatever you want to boil, boil today; whatever is left put aside for yourselves to be kept until morning.’ ”
v.29b Each of you stay where you are; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 16:30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
d. 1 container of the manna was kept and placed before the Ark of covenant v.34.
d. 1 container of the manna was kept and placed before the Ark of covenant v.34.
(3) Reflection
God gave the commandments for them to keep and some kept it, but some did not. Moses was upset as they did not obey and finally God was upset too. Are we that foolish that we allow ourselves to violate God's commands over and over again and let the tension between us and God escalate? When our leaders get mad at us for our disobedience it is time to stop. Do you want to wait until God was mad at you?
Have you thought about why people kept the manna or they went out on the 7th day? Remember, they were only allowed to collect what they needed. Those who kept until the next morning probably went hungry the day before so that they could keep some to the next morning. They were foolish, disobedient, and I think they were insecure.
For those who gathered on the 7th day, they were eager to gather more.
From the portion of the food, we learned that the Giver of food knows them very well. He gave them what they needed. How about us? Do we worry too much? Do we feel insecure? Or do we like those who gathered on the 7th day and always stock up too much?
Manna was not allowed to keep and they needed to go gather every morning. Why? I guessed the system prevented people from laziness. Every day you need to wake up early.
Lastly, Scriptures emphasized about the Sabbath, the 7th day. Cease from "working" and rest. Resting is not laziness. On the day before, they gathered double manna, cooked the food, and stayed where they were. In other words, work had been done to make this day special. In Genesis, God created everything for 6 days and He rested on the 7th. In other words, God wanted us to have a pattern of our lives after Him. It was like an object lesson for us. When we think of the weekly circle we should think about God.
Do you maintain a work/rest balance? Do you follow God's pattern in other areas of your life?
Audrey
Audrey
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