When the Manna Stops

Scripture: The day after Passover they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land. And the day after they ate from the produce of the land, the manna ceased. Since there was no more manna for the Israelites, they ate from the crops of the land of Canaan that year. Joshua 5:11-12

Observation: Israel crosses the Jordan, celebrates Passover, eats a normal meal from the produce in the promised land for the first time, and ... manna ceases to exist. The bread of heaven, which had fallen every morning, six days a week, for 40 years, will never be seen again. The obvious reason is simple - Israel doesn't need it anymore. God has always promised to provide for Israel, and that provision is now the good abundance of Canaan. They simply don't need another food source anymore.

Still, it is a little sad that the manna stops. Manna was supernatural. It was unexplainable in texture and taste. Its name effectively means 'what is this'. It didn't have a lot of substance, but it was fulfilling. It fell like moisture but would dry out. It had some qualities similar to spice seeds. It spoiled quickly, except on the Sabbath. Yet it was its own thing, not quite like any other thing. To our knowledge, it lasted here on earth only for the one purpose of feeding Israel during their wilderness journey. And just like that - one the day Israel can now eat food from the promised land - it is gone.

Application: When God provides for me - for anyone - he does so in perfect alignment to his promises. However, God's timing may mean that his provision comes to us in increments and changes over time. In this example, God promised the people an abundant life. He eventually delivered them into that life in the promised land. That said, during the intervening 40 years, he provided an alternative food source. This food was not the fulfillment of the promise, but it was aligned to it in that they were never in a state of want while they awaited the abundant land.

Today, I seek God's promises. I wonder how much of my life is the fulfilled promise, and how much is a stop-gap blessing until I grow and live into the promise. Either way, I see that even God's stop-gaps are amazing! They are wondrous, ponderous, and marvelous. They themselves are true blessings, even if there is something even better on the way.

Just as I feel a little sad when I read that manna stops forever, I feel I could comfortably and happily live with whatever blessings God provides. Yet I don't want to get content if he has other things even greater planned. I wish to continue to live into his love, and I will be prepared to leave behind certain things in order to move forward, if it is the Lord's will.

Prayer: Lord, your word is my answer to prayer today. I will be comfortable with new stages of life and changes in my world, when it is your will and your plan for the lives of my family. I may be a little sad, but I will anticipate the next phase of your provision. Amen.