Gathering Manna

 

Manna is first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 16 when the Israelites, wandering the Sinai Desert after leaving Egypt, (Egypt represents the bondage of sin) begin complaining to Moses about the shortage of food. God promises Moses to “rain bread from heaven” to feed the people. “In the morning there was a layer of dew round about the camp. And when the layer of dew was gone up, behold upon the face of the wilderness a fine, scale-like thing, fine as the hoar-frost on the ground.” 

The Israelites asked “What is it?” or “Mann hou?” in ancient Hebrew, and that was the origin of the name manna (mann in modern Hebrew). In the same chapter, manna is described as “like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”

Manna came with its own user manual. People were instructed to gather exactly as much as they needed every day and never to save it, as the precious food would spoil. Manna would appear six days a week, and on Friday they were instructed to gather twice as much—since there would be no manna coming down on Saturday, the day of rest. The extra portion for Shabbat, the Israelites were promised, would not spoil.

The description of manna in the Bible matches what Danin found in the Sinai Desert. He soon discovered that the white drops on the shrub’s stems were the digestive byproduct of insects that feed on the plant’s sap, known as honeydew. The secretion, formed at night, is loaded with sugar. The sweet liquid hardens to the form of white granules and is still collected from spring to early fall in many places in the Middle East today. Manna is produced by "substance exuded by the tamarisk tree".

What is the significance of the tamarisk tree in the Bible?

Why did Abraham take the time to plant such a tree? We might deduce that there was much to celebrate in Abraham's life and so he creates a monument to declare God's provision. The tree represents YAHWEH, the Everlasting God who blessed him with a child, a peace treaty, and a water supply. Another very important reason was that God blessed the tamarisk tree to multiple so the Israelites would have plenty of wholesome food in the desert.

The tamarisk tree has several spiritual meanings, including: Strength and Resilience

The tamarisk tree is able to survive extreme conditions, such as heat, fires, and dry spells. This can serve as a reminder that with faith and determination, one can overcome any obstacle.

Jesus Provides a Supernatural Manna

Jesus tells his followers that he provides supernatural provision for all needs, and that he is the true bread from heaven. He says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty". ~ John 6:30-35. The manna that sustained the Israelites was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ. The manna mentioned in Revelation 2:17 is also a symbolic reference to Christ.

Jesus says, "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever". ~ John 6:48-58

Food is Satan's Secret Weapon 

When the Hebrews went to Egypt in search of food, they ended up in slavery. Today many Christians are slaves to food. Obesity is epidemic in the American Church. False teachers tell their congregation to ignore God's health and food laws. Satan loves this teaching because it destroys health and turns God's people to the sin of pharmaceutical witchcraft. Satan has turned the entire food industry into a weapon of toxic chemical laden food.

God never forces people to do what is right and good. HE gives us a choice. Which "manna" do you want to gather? Come judgment day which do you prefer, smoking or non-smoking?

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