Exodus 16:2, 4, & 31
2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In, this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it [was] like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it [was] like wafers [made] with honey.
Have you always wondered what Manna means and how significant it is in the bible? This article will help enlighten you as well as inspire you to understand the mystery of God’s divine provision.
Meaning Of Manna
Manna is a substance provided by God for the Israelites in the wilderness, and according to the description in the bible, it looks like coriander seed, white in color, it tastes like wafers made with honey.
In Hebrew, the translation of the word Manna simply means “ What is it”. This name was given by the Israelites to the substance God poured down from heaven to feed them in the wilderness, most likely because they hadn’t seen anything like it before, the substance looked strange and they could only ask “what is it” which translates to Manna in English.
Our God is indeed an awesome God whose ways are far beyond our thoughts and imaginations, his acts are mind-blowing and He does good to all.
The scripture tells us of His several promises, laws, and, wonders. One of the wonders He did in the old testament is the raining down of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness.
As the children of Israel journey through the wilderness of Egypt they got to a location called the desert of sin (this location is in between Elim and Sinai).
The Children of Israel cried out against Moses and in their complaint, they recalled how they used to sit around pots of food and satisfy themselves with the bread and delicacies of Egypt.
Having heard their complaint, God spoke to Moses informing him of his decision to rain down Manna which is also called bread from heaven.
So, God gave instructions that the Manna is to be gathered daily in the quantity that would be enough just for the day and that on the 6th day when they prepare all that they have collected, it would be in multiple of what is usually been gathered daily.
Of a truth the concept of God’s supernatural provision is quite amazing to behold, and although the Israelites complained as if God wasn’t aware of their journey or their predicament, yet God was merciful enough to answer their cry and provide for their needs.
In the same way, the contemporary Christians also cry and complain against leaders, systems, and authorities even in the church.
This is especially so whenever we are faced with challenges and difficulties but the Bible encourages us to give thanks unto God in all situation (1Thessalonians 5:18) rather than complaining.
Scripture also admonishes us to make our requests known unto God through prayers, supplication and thanksgiving instead of murmuring. (Philippians 4:8)
Our God is merciful and kind and often proves himself faithful in our lives as it is written in his word in 2 Timothy 2:13 “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself”. So He will always come through to fulfil His promises in our lives.
In order to enjoy the divine provisions of God, it’s important that we stay connected to God through fasting, prayer, studying of God’s Word, obedience to His will and fellowship.
Significant Lessons To Learn About Manna: God’s Divine Provision
- Maintaining The Attitude Of Thanksgiving: It’s important that we learn to offer thanks to God rather than complaining.
God is a responsible Father who is mindful of all His children, He is well aware of all we are going through (Psalm 46:1).
His word says in Psalm 34:10 “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”
In another scripture, He also said “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, Saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Therefore, our attitude in times of lack should be that of thanksgiving and not of complain or anxiety, knowing fully well that God who has made promises to satisfy all our needs is faithful to fulfil his promises.
- Obedience To Divine Instruction:
In order to ensure that the supernatural provision of God last in our hands, it is imperative that we obey the divine instructions that accompany the manna. Just as it is important to read and follow the manual that accompanies a product on arrival.
Adherence to divine instructions is our guarantee to lasting divine provision. (Isaiah 1:19)
- Watch Against All Forms Of Greed Luke 12:15)
As the all sufficient One, when God provides, He does it in surplus, therefore there’s usually the temptation to be greedy and to consume more than what is needed. But we must keep in mind that greed is a great sin before God, and in order not to displease God through His divine provision in our lives we must do away with greed.
To ensure one last in God’s provision, we must watch against greed in all forms.
Prayers For Divine Provision
- Lord I thank you for your faithfulness and kindness over my family, all glory belongs to you in Jesus name.
- Father I thank you for your promises can be trusted, for your promises of supernatural provision, thank you Lord Jesus.
- Faithful Father, I ask that you forgive me in all ways I have sinned against you through greed, disobedience and murmuring, let your mercy speak for me in Jesus name
- God of all sufficiency, please provide for all my needs in this season, that I may testify of your goodness, in the mighty name of Jesus.
- Oh Lord I ask that you help me obey your divine instructions to sustain your provision in my life in Jesus name.
- Father please take away every love of money and love of food that can deprive me of your presence, your power, and your peace in Jesus name
- Oh Lord I receive great grace to overcome the temptation of greed, grant me wisdom to accept and only consume that which is enough for me in Jesus name
- King of all kings, please prevent me from running another man’s race, help me to remain in the provision you have made available for me in Jesus name
- Father please help me to see the provisions that you have made available around me, that I will not struggle without results, in Jesus name
- Lord let every door hindering my spiritual supplies from reaching me, be removed now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- Every satanic stronghold saying no to my divine blessings, I command you to get out of my way now in Jesus name
- I command riches from all the corners of the earth to reach me and my family daily in Jesus name
- I decree that there shall be no more loss in my life in the mighty name of Jesus Christ
- I command divine provisions for all the church projects in this season in Jesus powerful name.
- Thank you Jesus for answered prayers.
Scriptures On Divine Provision (English Standard Version)
- Genesis 9v3:We Have Everything
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
- Hebrews 13v5:God Is Ever Present To Provide
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (ESV)
- Jeremiah 29v11,14: Our Fortunes Are Restored
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. V14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
- Luke 12v24: God Will Feed Us
Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value is you than the birds!
- Romans 8v28: All Things Are Working For Our Good
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Other Scriptures On Divine Provision:
- Job 38:41,
- Matthew 21:18-22,
- Hebrews 4:16
Quiz:
- For how long did the Israelites eat Manna In the wilderness?
- If the Israelites did not complain against Moses, would God have provided food for them? Support answers with scriptures.
- What are the potential dangers of murmuring in difficulty? Support answers with scriptures.
