Manna Was Easily Accessible
June 17, 2025
Commentary
When the Israelites complained against God and Moses, the LORD could have sent judgment on them. Instead, He showed mercy and grace by providing bread from heaven each day. Every morning the ground was covered with thin flakes that looked like frost (vv. 14–15). When they tasted it, they said, “What is it?”—and Moses told them it was the bread the LORD had given. Each person gathered as much as they needed, about an omer, or two quarts, per day. Think of the greatness of this miracle! Every morning, for 40 years, God fed over two million people. It has been estimated that such a sup-ply would equal four freight trains of 60 cars each—arriving daily over 40 years!
The manna teaches several spiritual lessons. First, we cannot store up God’s spiritual food for tomorrow. Just as the Israelites gathered manna daily, we need fresh spiritual nourishment from God’s Word each day (vv. 16–22). Yesterday’s strength is not enough for today’s challenges. Second, the manna melted away when the sun grew hot (v. 21). This reminds us that we must not delay responding to God—there will come a time when it is too late to turn to Him. Third, the daily gathering of manna tested Israel’s obedience (v. 4). God wanted them to learn trust and discipline in following His instructions.
Finally, the manna was easily accessible. The people didn’t have to climb mountains or travel long distances to find it—it lay right outside their tents. In the same way, God’s Word and presence are always near. We don’t have to go to a special place to meet Him; we can come to Him anytime. He faithfully provides what we need each day if we will simply take time to gather it.
Application
When God provides for me, do I take time each day to gather what He gives, or do I rush ahead without spiritual food? Like the Israelites collecting manna, I need to meet with God daily and depend on His Word for strength. Am I con-tent to trust Him to supply what I need—one day at a time, without complaining or fear?
Exodus 16:14–22 (NET)
14 When the layer of dew had evaporated, there on the surface of the wilderness was a thin flaky substance, thin like frost on the earth. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” because they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you for food.
16 “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Each person is to gather from it what he can eat, an omer per person according to the number of your people; each one will pick it up for whoever lives in his tent.’” 17 The Israelites did so, and they gathered—some more, some less. 18 When they measured with an omer, the one who gathered much had nothing left over, and the one who gathered little lacked nothing; each one had gathered what he could eat.
19 Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” 20 But they did not listen to Moses; some kept part of it until morning, and it was full of worms and began to stink, and Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it each morning, each person according to what he could eat, and when the sun got hot, it would melt. 22 And on the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, two omers per person; and all the leaders of the community came and told Moses.
Tried And Proven
A Scottish pastor once called on an aged saint of the Lord. At once she handed the minister a Bible and asked him to read a portion to her. As the minister turned the pages he noticed that in the margins had be written the letters “T” … Continue