CHECK THE MANNA WITH WHICH YOU SPEAK

In everything give thanks: – 1Th 5:18

The multitude of Israelites that moved around the wilderness with Moses for 40 years are arguably the most pampered people of all time. They were sheltered in the daytime from the scorching desert Sun by a pillar of cloud and at night were warmed and lighted by a pillar of fire. (Ps 105:39)

For 40 years, their clothes never wore out and their feet never swelled. (Dt 8:4). Unlike normal human beings in a desert, they were never parched because water gushed out for them. Ps 105:37 says “there was not one feeble person among their tribes”, and when they needed meat, it just dropped from the sky!

However, the most singular object of God’s provision and supply to them was the “MANNA”. The Manna was a unique type of food miraculously supplied to the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness (Ex. 16:15-35). The inspired writer called it by various names: “Bread of heaven” (David), “Corn of heaven”, “Angel’s food” (Asaph), and “Spiritual meat” (Paul). Jehovah Himself called it “Bread from heaven” (Ex 16:4).

But what did the beneficiaries call it? They called it manna (“what is this?” or “what is it?”).

What a derogatory way to refer to something of such supernatural origin. The Almighty God Himself cooked up a meal that no one has ever tasted before (Dt 8:3; 8:16); yet they showed no appreciation of it: and ate the same thing for 40 years!

It was though God declared, “All you can say is ‘what is it’? Then THAT IS IT.”

It is very important that we show reverential gratitude to all of God’s providence. The Sun shines on both the Just and the Unjust (Mt 5:45) but only the Just take the time to thank God for it.

At no time did the Israelites thank God for the manna, or for cloud, or the fire... or for ANYTHING. They just saw it as their right, and complained.

It’s quite interesting that though we have no record that the constituents of the Manna ever changed, apparently because of their griping about it, it moved from looking snow-white and tasting like honey wafers (Ex 16:31) to looking blackish  and tasting like oil (Num 11:7,8).

Take a moment to thank God for all His providential blessings today.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN