This week we find Moses and the Israelite nation beginning their wanderings in the desert. It has been a month and a half since they miraculously crossed the Red Sea. Now we see the Israelite people once again showing their humanness by seemingly forgetting the good things the Lord had done for them like freeing them from slavery and rescuing them from the Egyptian Army. They complain to Moses about bringing them in the middle of nowhere to starve to death. Perhaps appropriate background music for the Israelites' murmurings would be Paula Abdul's hit "What Have You Done for Me Lately."
Isn't it amazing what happens to us when little things seem to suddenly be at a loss? I have no room to criticize the Israelites. Last night after coming home from a long and busy day, I had but one thing on my mind, FOOTBALL! I had been looking forward to coming home, helping Amy put the kids to bed, popping a bowl of popcorn and spending the last three hours of my day watching the first NFL game of the year. Much to my dismay, I discovered that the company that owns the local NBC affiliate had blacked out their channel on Dish Network over a contract dispute. My attitude became that of a baby crying for milk. Thus, I settled for reruns of the Mentalist which I fell asleep watching. (This is probably what would've happened if I tried to stay up and watch the football game, but the inconvenience was annoying none the less.) My issue seems petty compared to the plight of the nation of Israel being in the middle of the wilderness without any food, but I would think that experiencing what they did at the Red Sea would've changed their perspective of God's provision to some degree.
Perhaps, it's just part of human nature to have a short term memory when it comes to faith which makes the miracle of the Manna all the more apropos for the situation the Israelites found themselves in. It's important to note the details that go with God providing the manna and the quail. The people could not store it for use later. If they did, it would go bad. Of course, some people tried and had to deal with the rotten mess and the stinky smell of bad manna. (No such thing as Febreeze back then) The only day that they could collect more than a days worth was the day before the Sabbath when they could collect two days worth and prepare it for the next day. Still some people didn't get it. They walked out of their tent on the sabbath day hoping to have breakfast only to say "Oh manna, where's the manna?" but as the Lord had told them would happen, there was none to be found.
God had revealed himself to the Israelites in powerful ways but they got a little hungry and they thought He'd abandoned them to starve in the wilderness. It's as if God says "What is it? You still you don't get it. You still don't trust me to get you through whatever your facing. How about I give you a daily reminder of how much you need to depend on me." Every day for 40 years in the wilderness the people did not forget God's provision because every morning it would reappear when they would get up and walk out of their tents. And they called it "Manna" or "What is it" because that was what they said when they picked it and that's what they said when they ate it. So that is what it became,"What is it." This to me is very funny. It's like a bad Abbott and Costello sketch.
"Mom, what's for breakfast?"
"What is it"
"What do you mean, what is it?"
"Exactly, what is it. Do you want yours boiled or grilled over the fire?"
The next time you're at a family get together and you can't identify a dish someone has made, some casserole or jello concoction that looks like it's from another planet, just compliment whoever made it by saying "mmm, manna from heaven" when in reality you're just doing the same thing the Israelites did in the wilderness, your asking yourself, "What is it?"
In all seriousness, Maxie Dunnam tells us that Manna had a threefold purpose. It was a token, a test and a truth. (The Communicator's Commentary Series, Vol. 2: Exodus p. 193) It was a token of his love and grace. God could've been angered by their lack of trust, but instead he heard their complaint and he gave them something to eat. It was a test because they had to rely on it daily. God wants our dependence on him to be a hard habit to break, not just something we cry out for when we get ourselves into trouble. So daily, the nation of Israel had to rely on the manna and the quail to be there. It is a truth because it reminds us that our relationship with him can begin "fresh every morning." Each day with God is a new beginning. We are also reminded of Christ's quoting Deuteronomy when He was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He said "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." We are sustained by God, not by the food in the refrigerator or by our paychecks or by our loved ones. All of these are God's gifts to us.
In this world where so many want to make self reliance the ultimate goal, we must remind our children that this is foolish thinking. Whoever has the most toys may think he wins, but whoever has the most toys still dies and the toys don't go with him. Yes, our children need to discover their abilities and develop them and get the best education they possibly can and experience life's opportunities, but to what end? To make a living to sustain themselves and their families (and us when we go to the nursing home) or to make a difference in the life of others for the sake of Christ? "What is it?" It's the bread of life. It's Jesus himself. The creator of the universe. Let's point to him as the one we rely on to sustain us.
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