Daily Manna

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Exodus story is that the Lord provided daily manna for the children of Israel for 40 years. (By the way, manna is described in the Bible as “a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground” – the original “frosted flakes.”) This miraculous provision of food for Israel was a reminder to them and us that the Lord will not only provide for those who trust in Him, but that He is incredibly patient.

The newly freed nation of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Sin one month after leaving Egyptian slavery. Instead of trusting that the Lord who had delivered them would also provide for them, they complained about their condition and the spiritual leadership of Moses and Aaron. They complained, “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt … There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death” (Exodus 16:3 NLT).

In spite of their complaining, the Lord demonstrated tremendous patience and compassion on His people and provided food for the Israelites for 40 years. He also instructed Moses to place some manna in a two-quart jar to serve as a reminder for future believers that the Lord will provide for His people often in spite of themselves!

Corresponding Bible Reading: Exodus 16:1-18:27