Originally published Tuesday, 24 April 2018.
Author: Sarah Dohman
My family has three character-filled dogs that traipse across our home’s floors and our hearts. Two of the three are miniature dachshunds, with two-inch legs and bigger-than-life personalities. Whenever any of the humans of the house are in the kitchen, you can guarantee the two short canines are in the vicinity, waiting for what I like to call “Manna from Heaven.” Scraps of vegetables, crumbs of bread—anything that drops, the doxies are close by to claim their treat.
The real manna from Heaven was a little different. The Israelites found themselves in the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Sinai. They were bitter and full of distraught- Moses and Aaron had led them to a land they wished not to go. God’s chosen people voiced their frustration and even wished to have died in Egypt—where meat pots and fluffy, hot-from-the-oven-leavened-bread was plentiful (See Exodus 16).
God, in His glorious wisdom, let Moses know that He’d be raining bread from Heaven. The Israelites were to gather their daily portion, except for the sixth day—on this day these dear people were to collect a double portion in order to honor the Sabbath or holy day of rest. Moses and Aaron relayed the information to the Israelites, and naturally, some were greedy. They gathered too much manna, and it ended up rotting and covered in worms. God quickly put an end to this excess, and the people of Israel learned to take only what they needed.
Manna, as described in Exodus 16, was like coriander seed, came white in color, and tasted like wafers made with honey. This bread from Heaven was thin, and based upon caloric reasoning alone, shouldn’t have sustained the Israelites. But it did! For forty years the people of Israel accumulated manna in the morning, eating their fill and feeling satisfied for that day. The people of Israel also took two liters of manna and filled a jar to rest in the ark of the covenant. This jar was a reminder to show future generations the faithfulness of God’s provision.
What strikes me most about this passage, manna from heaven, is how God provided for the people He loved. He didn’t provide His people with nutrient-deficient food, causing the Israelites to overindulge and still feel unsatisfied. He bestowed a perfect daily blessing to His people—just enough and always in the morning as He promised.
As I think about my own life and my own wilderness that I am navigating through, I remember my own perfect daily blessing: knowing and loving Jesus. Jesus is always enough and never too much. He sustains me; He provides for me. He won’t leave me, nor forsake me. I am most satisfied in my life when Jesus is at the center of it. I need not fear what tomorrow will bring because He goes before me and behind me and provides a way for me (see Deuteronomy 31:8).
Sarah Dohman is a nurse, kayak enthusiast, coffee addict, microbrew lover, globe trotter, adorer of friends and family. She has a weakness for donuts, runs in 5k races, and cannot get enough tea and books. She loves writing more than talking (and she talks a lot), can be seen at Target frequently, and is loving life in her thirties. She believes God has called her to this space to bring joy and encouragement through words to friends and family, near and far. You can find more from Sarah at her blog or on Instagram.
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