Sunday: Manna Enough
After generations of slavery and the social degradation that such a condition can inflict on His oppressed people, God sought to lift up the newly freed Israelites, pointing them to a better way of living and giving them laws for the best ordering of their new society. But one of the first parts of this process came in the form of a practical and instructive object lesson.
Manna
Continuing for the full 40 years of their wilderness wanderings, this rhythm of life, visible evidence of God’s provision and practiced unselfishness, should have become part of the culture of Israelite society. It came in the form of manna, a food that appeared each morning on the ground around the Israelites’ camp.
Read Exodus 16:16-18. What do you think is the significance of the specific measure for each person emphasized in these verses?
In 2 Corinthians 8:10-15, Paul references this story as an example of how Christians should give: “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality” (vs. 14, NIV).
The lesson for the Israelites, and us, was that God has provided sufficiently for His people and His creation. If we take only what we need and are prepared to share our excess with others, all will be cared for and provided for. Taking only enough for the day required the people to trust that there would be more the following day. Oppressed people, such as the Israelite slaves, tend to focus on their own survival, but God wanted to demonstrate to them a life of trust, generosity, and sharing.
But there was also another, more remarkable, dimension to this practice. Each Friday a double portion of manna appeared on the ground, and on that day—and only that day—the people were to collect the extra manna in preparation for the Sabbath. The special provision for the Sabbath became an additional way for them to learn to trust the Lord for all their needs. This extra portion of manna, an act of grace on God’s part, enabled them to enjoy even more fully the rest that God has promised them on the seventh-day Sabbath.
| What can we do on Fridays that will help us better enjoy what God offers us on Sabbath? |
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Have you ever been to a self-serve buffet-style restaurant? You pay your money and then you can eat as much as you like. We had that problem on our recent trip to Norway where two out of three meals on the boat were buffet style. The food was excellent. There was sufficient variety that even vegans (plant-based dieters) had a choice! It was tempting to go back for seconds. I had to remember that I used to weigh 25 kilos more than I do now. It helps me to picture 50 tubs of margarine when I think of eating more.
Overweight and obesity is a serious problem in many countries these days and the flow-on effect to our health is a big issue. The notion of "sufficient" regarding food is all too often forgotten. The sufficiency of manna supply should be a lesson to us, not only in food but also in our accumulation of material goods. It is not just about Friday and Sabbath food supply but about a style of living.
We like to quote Phil 4:19 to support the notion of sufficiency:
... but it is worth reading the lead up to this verse:
While God does provide for all our needs, he provides us with sufficient so that we can be generous to others and that generosity is a "fruit that may abound in your account".
It is worth thinking about that as you take your plate to the pot-luck lunch this Sabbath.
Food for thought
I’m glad I’m not the only one who weights in kilos! I just finished “counsels on diet and foods “ by Ellen White and have changed my whole diet. It opened my eyes to a truth I had never before realized. I did the study guide also. I’m looking forward to studying “ministry of Health” next. I downloaded the study Guide this morning. I have so much to study during dialysis that the 4 hrs fly by. I also get to discuss the topic of the day with patients and staff. My youngest granddaughter has decided to go vegan. My daughter says she’s doing very well. It’s easy to over eat even at potluck! I was getting nauseous just looking at the plates around me. My best friend had one filled so full you couldn’t see the plate, and a second one filled with deserts! And she ate it all! She was shaking her head at my simple plate of fruits, vegetables and bread. I was so full when I left the table I was about to burst. I have tried to share the light I have been shown with her, but she is definitely not receptive. I have been on this diet about 2 months now and feel better than I’ve felt in a long time. I also want to study my scriptures more. I find I don’t have a lot of time for secular things. I’m looking forward to sitting at God’s table and sharing a meal with Jesus.
Yes Sylvia, sadly many people have unconsciously made food their god. Instead of eating food to live and for energy, many eat food for pleasure, eating food because it taste good (and lots of it).
However, even in this, it will take spiritual maturity and growth to put food back into it's proper place. Many are not ready to change their eating habits and lifestyle, to give up their delicious food. (When a person describes McDonald's as having delicious food, there's a problem, LoL) But when the right time comes, or they see the need to eat better (hopefully before disease strikes), then they will make a change. In the meantime, all we can do is pray for them.
I say this to not criticize anyone, I'm in the process right now of changing my eating habits and lifestyle as well; therefore, I'm talking to myself as well. Some wise advice: start slow by eliminate one food for your diet (i.e, white rice, potatoes, red meat, or enriched wheat products) for the rest of the year; then next year, eliminate one more food. In other words, don't try to give up everything all at the same time. If you do this, in no time, the pounds will come off and you will feel better physically and mentally. Also, remind yourself that you don't have to sample every dish at potluck; choose four or five of them at a time, there will be another potluck dinner next month (or next week for some churches). Eat to Live, but don't Live to eat!!
Be blessed everyone!!.
It’s not only pleasure, I think for some it is comfort. Unfortunately for some, food becomes a place they go to or indulge in that gives them comfort.
Toni,thank you for this very practical and non-judgmental advice on changing eating habits.It is much easier to climb the mountain one step at a time. And,with prayer,patience and persistence,victory is sure to follow.
Exodus 16:35
35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land where they could settle; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Joshua 5:12
12 And the day after they had eaten from the produce of the land, the manna ceased. There was no more manna for the Israelites, so that year they began to eat the crops of the land of Canaan.
From the time of crossing the Red Sea to the time they entered the land of Canaan the people of Israel ate manna.
John 6:58
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your forefathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Luke 22: 15&16
15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering. 16 For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Beginning of Passover initiated by Christ commemorate the reality of eternal life promised in the garden of Eden.
Revelation 19:9
9 And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Those redeemed in heaven will join the marriage super of the Lamb.
He who has made the promise is true and trustworthy.
But these provided for and protected children of Israel grew tired of Manna. I mean can you imagine after awhile you would run out of to prepare this Manna. So God sent quail. So much did he send that they were sick and some even died for this act of Rebellion. Is it possible that is why by and large many SDA have the same life expectancy as those that count themselves as Atheist? Way too many of our Pastors are obese and aren't examples of dietary reform. Simple foods prepared without fats and one day a week of fasting would be a blessing to many of our Pastors.
Let us not look to the pastors for our example — the pastors are humans just as we are and struggle not only with health reform but also the malady of the sedentary lifestyle, genes or illness which one is to be mindful of.
Let us ever be examining ourselves and not others for in doing so one person once accused a young man whom I know of laziness because He was obese when he was suffering hardship and stress leading to more weight gain.
A double portion of manna to enjoy with the least of these on sabbath.
Family Life SDA church Mombasa:
In these church they offer lunch for poor and street children on sabbath. They also use this opportunity to preach to them.
Nyali SDA church Mombasa:
This church offers lunch
for all its members on sabbath. The church is almost full in the afternoon.
Maweni SDA church Mombasa:
Here the home churches provide lunch for all members of the church.
But in most churches the extra manna for sharing with the 'least of these' is nowhere to be seen.
All members go home for lunch and so ' the least of these ' are left behind
With nobody to cater for them.
We need to do something here. Please bring the extra manna for sharing next Sabbath. Satan hates that so its not that simple. People may decide NOT to eat what you have brought. Expect some challenges but in all situations put God first.
.....is it true that God gave manna to the people of Congo in Africa? Is this manna still there?
Have a sharing Sunday.
Cyrus: "Gospel Out Reach" in Walla Walla WA. Had 2 videos where they talked about the out pouring of the manna in Africa. The missionary who related the story was even able to bring back a little of it. You might contact "Gospel Out Reach" to see if the dvd's are still available, I found them quite interesting.
Thanks Leilani for the information. Be blessed.
i think we need to acomplish all our duties on friedy before sabbath day to avoid interaptions while resting and worshiping
iam scared with the last part of exodus 16:18 "thoso who gathered much did not get their heart quentured" that has troubled me
Exodus 16:18. "But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat." I don't understand what you mean by "quentured" and why it troubles you so.