Going for fresh manna

Norah Summers July 22, 2024 4 3

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Exodus 16: 6-16 (GNT)

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “This evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt. 7 In the morning you will see the dazzling light of the Lord's presence. He has heard your complaints against him—yes, against him, because we are only carrying out his instructions.” 8 Then Moses said, “It is the Lord who will give you meat to eat in the evening and as much bread as you want in the morning, because he has heard how much you have complained against him. When you complain against us, you are really complaining against the Lord.”

9 Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole community to come and stand before the Lord, because he has heard their complaints.” 10 As Aaron spoke to the whole community, they turned toward the desert, and suddenly the dazzling light of the Lord appeared in a cloud. 11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them that at twilight they will have meat to eat, and in the morning they will have all the bread they want. Then they will know that I, the Lord, am their God.”

13 In the evening a large flock of quails flew in, enough to cover the camp, and in the morning there was dew all around the camp. 14 When the dew evaporated, there was something thin and flaky on the surface of the desert. It was as delicate as frost. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they didn't know what it was and asked each other, “What is it?”

Moses said to them, “This is the food that the Lord has given you to eat. 16 The Lord has commanded that each of you is to gather as much of it as he needs, two quarts for each member of his household.”

Manna from heaven. Wouldn’t that be handy!

No trip to the supermarket, no trolley, no loading, unloading, putting away –

just gather it up and eat it. The original fast food.

But it is weird.

The Israelites’ journey is full of surprises.

Pillars of fire and cloud.

The Red Sea parted to make a dry path.

Bitter water made sweet.

Now there are quails and manna falling from heaven.

Every day, something new, something fresh.

Prayer:

God of the journey,

One more step along the world we go,

every day something new, something fresh.

What will today bring?

I have looked at my diary, and I have a plan for the day.

But you may have something else for me.

Probably not quails for dinner, but something equally surprising?

Then again, why should I be surprised?

You have my life’s journey in your plan.

I may miss a turning, or persist on a long shortcut,

but you know better.

God of my journey,

give me grace to trust your plan,

and to look forward to each new fresh morning.

AMEN