The Meaning of Manna(Numbers 11:7-9)

The Meaning of Manna(Numbers 11:7-9)

 

 7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.

8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.

9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

 

(Introduction)

One of the most important things for us as humans is our day to day meals.

The word “manna” means “what is this?” Manna is what the Israelites ate for 40 years while they were in the desert.

They lived on this food that God gave them and with the strength from it they made it into Canaan.

 

Then, why did God give the Israelites manna?

Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “ And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”

 

In other words, God gave manna to the Israelites to show them how they must live not by bread only, but by every word from the mouth of the Lord.

What other meanings and lessons does manna hold?

 

1. Manna is food directly from the heavens given by God

Psalm 78:23-25 says, 23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

 

God opened the doors of heaven and gave them manna; meaning manna came directly from God. Manna is not of this Earth. There are some substances that are said to be similar, but none are of enough quantity to satisfy 2 million people everyday for 40 years. Manna is food from heaven, “angels’ food”.

 

As such, the words recorded in the Bible are also not of this Earth but directly from our Lord in Heaven. There are countless books that may seem similar, but only the Bible is the holy book of the Lord.

 

2. Manna literally fell like the morning dew.

 

Exodus 16:13 says, “13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.”

 

Manna fell like morning dew, meaning that manna acted as dew. Unlike the dew we know, the dew in Israel fell from the sky much like the rain. Since it does not rain in the desert, this dew is a source of water for the plants and trees allowing them to grow. Hence, to these plants, the morning dew is their main source of life.

 

The word of God is like the morning dew and rain, providing our spirits with life. Deuteronomy 32:2 says, “2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:”

The only thing that gives our spirits life is the word of God. Psalms 19:7 says, “7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” As the desert plants grow with the morning dew for life, we too must depend on God’s word.

 

3. Manna was small and round.

 

The round shape of manna represents God’s word and its everlasting. The exchange of rings between and husband and wife at a wedding symbolizes their everlasting love. The same applies to couple rings. Rings and circles symbolize eternity. The round shape of manna signifies how all those who eat it (God’s word) will gain everlasting life.

 

John 12:50 says, “50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” The only way for us to gain everlasting life is to eat the manna for our souls, God’s word.

 

 4. Manna appeared as still, soft and delicate as frost.

 

Manna’s similarity to frost represents how God’s voice often comes to us just as still, soft and delicate. Of course there are times when the Holy Spirit does speak to us in a loud booming voice, but most times it is quiet and still.

 

1 Kings 19:12 says, “12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” and Job 26:14 says, “14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?”

In order for us to hear the still, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit we must be still and listen for it ourselves. If our hearts are too distracted and unfocused there is no way we will hear it. We cannot and will not hear the voice of God if our hearts are amidst the loud and chaotic material world. Thus, we must put forth our strength to move ourselves away from the noises of the world and pray where we can hear His voice.

5. Manna looked like coriander seeds.

Exodus 16:31 says, “31 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.”

 

Coriander seeds are part of the water parsley family. To say that manna, a.k.a God’s word, looked like coriander seeds means that the word of God is like the seeds of a plant.

 

Luke 8:11 says, “11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Saying that “the seed is the word of God” means that the word of God acts as a seed does. Just a seed needs soft soil to sprout, the word of God needs to be planted in soft hearts to take root and grow. Thus, in order for us to produce healthy, good fruit, we must first repent, come forth humbly, and do all we can to ensure our hearts are soft enough for God’s word.

6. Manna was white.

The fact that manna was white symbolizes holiness. The color white represents spiritual purity and holiness, and if we live a life close to the Word, then our lives will be clean, white and holy. John 17:17 says, “17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth,” and Psalm 119:11 says, “11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

If anyone wants to live a holy, clean life, they must first bring themselves closer to the word of the Lord.

7. Manna was taste like wafers and honey.

 

Manna’s taste can also be interpreted as, “the gospel is sweet like honey”. Palms 119:103 says, “103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” and Psalm 19:10, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

The gospel can give peace to your mind, and that is what manna tastes like. If you want to live a sweet life, consume God’s word diligently everyday.

 

 8. Manna looks like pearls

 

Numbers 11:7 says “7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.” Manna looking like a pearl is saying that God’s word is like a jewel for us.

Matthew 7:6 says” 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

Proverb 3:15 says “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.” The goodness of God’s word cannot be compared to jewel. Jewels cannot give you eternal life, but God’s word can. So, love His word more than jewels and gems.

 

9. Manna appeared during the night.

 

Numbers 11:9 “And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.”

Spiritually, everyday is night so we need light. Matthew 4:16 says “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up”

Like when we trip in the dark, without light (God’s word) we will be lost in this world, so to win over darkness we need to carry God’s word with us all the time.

 

 10. People ground manna in mills or beat it in a mortar.

 

Numbers 11:8 “And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.”

There were many methods for cooking manna; like manna there are many ways that we can receive God’s word. For new believers, God’s word is soft like milk, however for the older believers some words of God require some help to digest.

Hebrews 5:12-14 says “12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Ground or beaten manna represents the Gospel that also needs to be studied, and prayed on. Coming to church and listening to the sermon could be an example of this.

 

11. Manna was also boiled and made into treats.

Firing and boiling makes food more delicious and less harmful than eating raw. Like this, the gospel also needs to be taken in with a touch of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Bible better and it actually helps and guides us through our life. So, whenever we don’t understand something in the Bible we need to pray and ask for God’s help.

 

12. Manna taste like wafers with oil.

 

What does that mean? The Bible described Jesus as a person who was blessed/anointed with oil. So, the Gospel (oil) can separate holy and normal people. If you are filled with the gospel, then your life will be more plentiful.

 

(Conclusion)

We have compared manna the Gospel and word of God and figured out that their characteristics are almost the same. As the people of Israel lived off manna for 40 years, we need to live our life powered by God’s word.

In Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” This means, we need God’s word to live a righteous life.

Just like our body needs to be fed, our spirit also requires food, God’s word, to gain power, do good, and work for God’s missions.

I hope and pray for all of you on this week to have peace in your heart by being close to and love God’s word.