While the Israelites travelled in the wilderness, God provided manna. It was the bread of heaven and it came like the dew in the night. You can read the account of manna in Exodus 16. The Hebrew word meaning of manna is most likely "gift" or "what is it?" This food was a mystery they ate. The Israelites described it as wafers made with honey. The people were instructed that they could only eat what they gathered for each day. They were not to gather more than they could eat. The only exception was preparation day (day before the Sabbath). Then they could collect and eat for that day and the next which was the Sabbath. If the people collected more than they could eat on a given day, it would just rot, stick and have maggots on it. However, this would not happen on the Sabbath.
After the people entered the promised land, there was no more manna provided. (See Joshua 5:12). God provided as long as they needed manna. They needed a miraculous supply of food in the wilderness or they would have starved. Canaan, the promised land was a land flowing with milk and honey. The people ate of the produce and abundance of the Land.
I now see that we eat of God's bread from heaven through His Word. We have the promise of the Lord Jesus who was the bread of life. Sometimes now, we don't see nor understand everything in the Word but we are to eat and give thanks. We are still waiting for some of the promises in hope. For example, the day when all suffering and pain ends. God tells us that we do not live on bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of God. (see Matthew 4:4).
Like manna, the Word of God is comparable to honey but it is actually sweeter than honey. Honey is associated with God's wisdom. Here are some descriptions about the Word and honey:
Proverbs 16:24 pleasant words are good physically and spiritually—like honey!
- Proverbs 24:13 associates honey with wisdom
- Psalms 19:10-11 God’s Word is sweet like honey; honey is healthy just as God Word is
- Psalms 119:103 God’s Word is sweeter than honey which is really sweet
God's word is true and pure. He is faithful and His promises come to pass.
Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study:
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Psalm 37:3 - Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Observations:
1. We are to trust in the Lord
2. We are to feed on His faithfulness
3. We are not to lean on our understanding in what we read in the Word or what we do
4. God provides our NEED according to His glorious riches
Application Questions:
1. How am I feeding on the Word?
2. How do I eat the Word given for the day?
3. Do I try to gather more than I can ingest or give to others to eat?
4. What are some Bible words/promises I don't have or don't understand but I am to lean on God for?
Application:
When I think of trusting in the Lord, I have to remember to trust with a steadfastness. I can't give up hope just because I don't see something come to pass in a week, month, year or years. God is faithful. God will provide for my need just like He provided the manna in the dessert despite the Israelites complaining, ungrateful attitude. I am to not use my understanding of how the Word applies but let the Holy Spirit illuminate my path.
I feed on the Word daily. Sometimes I try to consume too much and sometimes I consume very little. I need the food allotted to me for that day like the manna. We are to taste and see that the Lord is good and in His Word I see His goodness. For me, eating involves more than just shoveling the food in my mouth. I need to take my time and savor the richness of it. I need to chew my food slowly and carefully. Digestion needs to take place. Likewise, with the Word we need to savor God's word. We need to chew on it and think upon that which is good, noble, pure, just, right, lovely, and pure. We need to now just run away after eating the word just like we were not to run a five mile sprint after eating.
The area of God's Word that I need to trust rather than debate with is about not depriving our spouse of physical intimacy. This is an area that I am to trust you even if it doesn't always make sense.
Prayer: Thank you that you are the bread of life. Thank you that you feed us with your Word and yourself. Thank you that you are faithful. There are many times, I read your Word and just run to go do all my chores instead of allowing digestion to take place. I am learning to chew slower and eat less at a time. Thank you for you and Your Word that speaks to me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I lean on my own understanding rather than trust you.
