There would be less spiritual dissatisfaction if there were more spiritual understanding.

As the story of our text, Exodus 16, takes up we see Israel on the march up from Egypt’s bondage into the wilderness on the way to Mount Sinai. Each new trial brings new complaints.

Almost ready to stone their leader Moses, they panic over lack of food. “you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” they wail, verse 3. God answers Moses’ urgent prayer. Suddenly, as “they looked toward the desert….there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud,” verse 10.

Then the voice of God makes a promise. They are to receive miracle bread – right from heaven.

Next morning the Hebrews find the ground covered with small, round bits of “thin flakes like frost,” verses 14, 15. See Psalm 78:24, 25. In amazement they call it “manna.”

Now, the study of this wondrous provision should teach us spiritual lessons.

I. GENERAL SPIRITUAL LESSONS

Without a doubt many have hesitated to enter the Christian life because they were afraid of the very real cost involved.  Our text Exodus 16, in verses 2, and 3 records the actual murmuring of the Israelites. In effect they said, “We would rather be back in slavery with food, than to starve in this wilderness freedom.” Many who fancied themselves true believers have had similar feelings and finally turned aside spiritually.

It is true that there is many a test along our Christian pilgrimage. But it is also true that God is with us. Faith touches Him.

Our first general lesson, seen in this Bible account, is simply this: God is faithful in His care for us. Daily His mercy poured the necessary food from the clouds upon Israel. What a bounty! Hundreds of thousands fed without price. Back in Egypt they paid the food bill. Out here in the wilderness, God pays.

Secondly, we must learn to trust implicitly our Father in heaven for our daily needs. Often we will sleep nights without tomorrow’s bread in the cupboard. Israel gathered the manna new each morning. Indeed, if they attempted to store it for the morrow, it became worm-filled and foul, verse 20. Nor did it remain stacked on the ground to support their wobbling faith. No, it melted each day, verse 21. Their faith was put to the test — as ours must be.

Kept in God’s storehouse, tomorrow’s bread will be safer, fresher. Every earthly security should be handed over by prayer of dedication to God. Do your banking with God. My father was a banker for more than 50 years. Kind and personally concerned as he always was to people, there is one thing he could never do. He could not open an account for a person who had no money. But God can. Take all your deep needs — whatever you lack to Him.

Learn to pray, “Give us this day, our daily bread.” “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:19.

Someone has written that “God’s bounty leaves room for man’s duty.” So it was kept in balance, if Israel would eat they had to be faithful on their part to gather what God provided. God did not dull their initiative and poke the manna in their cupboards.

Another lesson, too, is essential. We must be satisfied with what God gives. A study of verse 31 and 35 makes it clear that manna is pilgrimage food. Not over-rich, but adequate. Many expect God to make them entirely too happy in this world.  The Bible boldly describes us as “strangers and pilgrims” here. Are you willing to be that?

About 1500 years after this event, another hungry throng stood before their God. This is recorded in John 6. The Lord Jesus tests His disciple Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do,” verses 5, 6. How well He knew how to feed the multitudes!  He was the very One who shepherded Israel through their journeys. See I Corinthians 10:3, 4. In John 14:8, 9 He makes this clear to this same disciple.

Remarkably enough, our Lord feeds this multitude from a lad’s lunch box! Does your problem seem impossible? Jesus already knows what to do. Have you come in trust to Him?

II. SPECIAL LESSONS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

Reading on in John 6, we are taught by Jesus that He Himself is the True Bread sent from heaven to satisfy human heart-hunger. Study verses 31-35. Notice the permanent kind of soul satisfaction that Christ is here promising to give. Do you have this?

What a valuable insight! Just as the early children of Israel ate manna from heaven, so we can “eat” Jesus Christ.  Now, this is, of course, spiritual, symbolic language. Verse 63 makes that clear. Therefore, we are to invite Christ to move deeply into our lives so that we truly live by and from Him. He then becomes our personal Lord and Savior.

Next, we may expect an inner satisfaction from Him. Study verse 35 especially. We are promised, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Are you lonely, frustrated, tense, broken, hurt, full of  lust or hate? Once we are forgiven by Christ’s death at Calvary, once we claim that sacrifice as our offering for sin  – we have the perfect right to claim God’s personal help to quiet inner turmoil. Truly the living Christ is food for the soul! His presence brings peace beyond description. Do you know this?

That is not all. Read verses 37-40. In effect He pledges that each one who comes to Him, “I will never drive away.”  Then He stretches our minds all the way out to eternity’s edge when He shall return to earth and raise up the dead.  “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day,” verse 40.

Later, this is expressed a bit differently. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day,” verse 44. Thus, there must be the pull of God and the response of man’s faith.

Does not God draw at your heart now? Your part is not to arouse a certain feeling. It is a matter of your will. You have a choice to make. Say in definite prayer: “Lord, I will believe. I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.”

Then, to you Jesus answers, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away,” verse 37.