Welcome again to the fourth part of our series about feeding on Jesus — dining on the Banquet of Christ.
Previously, we explored the final portions of Jesus’ parable of the banquet, and his words following that story, which are often presented in a legalistic way, and I shared an example of how this can be applied in daily life today.
Today, we continue my examining another story, this time, the story of the manna in the wilderness during the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt. Let’s get started.
The Miraculous Manna
Now, many of you know this story— The Israelites had left Egypt, and were wandering in the wilderness. Psalm 78:23-25 give us a very succinct description of what God did for them:
“ 23Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24And had rained down manna on them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
25Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.”
So we can see a simple picture of how God provided food during the Exodus. This was clearly divine provision, as the scripture even goes as far as to call it the corn of heaven and angels’ food.
This was a direct provision from God. We see in verse 23, that He opened the doors of heaven. This is very telling since today we know that Jesus is the door for us (John 10:9). Let’s continue, because there’s more to this story.
The Desire for Flesh
In Numbers 11:4, we see two groups of people: the Israelites, and the mixed multitude that had left Egypt with them. Let’s read Numbers 11:4-6:
“ 4And the mixed multitude that was among them fell lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
5We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:
6But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.”
We see that the desires of the Israelites were easily swayed along with the other travelers, but look deeper because there’s a secondary meaning here; the key is in their plea… who will give us flesh to eat?
Do you see it? The people were given the food from heaven! The doors of heaven were opened! But the people wanted flesh!
From a spiritual standpoint, this can be symbolic of desiring works, human-efforts, something other than what God has provided through His grace.
Distorted Perceptions
In verse 6, the people say that their soul is dried up— that’s quite a statement! They previously mentioned how they remembered the fish, and cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic when they were in Egypt… and they even say that they were able to eat those freely! Their perception has become skewed; notice that there’s no mention of their slavery!
If we read further in the verses, we find that the people continued to cry and beat the manna, and otherwise manipulate it by the work of their hands.
God’s decree as a result of this, is that the people would eat flesh — until they utterly loathed it.
Now why such a harsh response? Because again, the spiritual connotation is what’s in view here. A person who rejects the gift of God in favor of human-effort is in for a rough time; ultimately destruction.
This spiritual interpretation is not just my opinion, but God himself speaks of this in verse 20, as He judges the people and flat out tells them that they have rejected Him.
Conclusion
For many people, the draw of self-works is quite powerful, and I’ve heard people say that “there has to be more to do!” (when referring to God’s grace)
But that path ultimately leads only to suffering. I know, because I’ve personally lived it.
The Israelites, were being miraculously supplied daily by God, and much like us today, there was nothing to do except to gather what was given and dine; to be nourished by God’s supply.
I invite you to join me in the next part, as we will look at some applications of these truths in daily life. Until then, be blessed.
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