What is it?
Coriander seeds Manna
Exodus 16:4, HCSB, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.’”
The Israelites had seen many miracles of God, but in Exodus 16, they are grumbling and complaining because they were hungry. They were blaming Moses and Aaron for their problems. The Lord heard their cries and told Moses He would provide bread for them in the mornings.
Exodus 16:15 NCSB, When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, ‘What is it?’ because they didn’t know what it was.”
This just makes me chuckle. The Israelites probably were excited to get some fresh baked bread from God like they had in Egypt. It was not like that at all. When they first saw the manna they questioned ‘what is it?’ The word manna means ‘what is it’. Moses had to tell them it was the bread the Lord has given them to eat.
Manna
Exodus 16:31, NCSB, “The house of Israel named the substance manna. It resembled coriander seed, was white and tasted like wafers made with honey.”
When the dew lifted in the morning, there was a strange white substance on the ground. It was similar to coriander seeds. Coriander seeds are round in shape and about ⅛”-¼” in size. Each person could gather up to 2 quarts for the breakfast each morning. I don’t think I have ever seen a coriander seed, but in my mind it is about the size of a BB. It was very small. Imagine gathering two quarts worth!
God furnished their breakfast every morning for 40 years. It tasted like honey coated wafers. The people had to gather the manna from the ground each day for six days and rest on the Sabbath. When the sun began heating up the earth the manna would melt.
Rise Early
There are a couple of things that I have gleaned from this chapter in Exodus. First, there were no late sleepers. If they slept late, they had to wait until twilight to eat quail. Everyone had to rise early and gather their breakfast before the sun warmed up the earth and the manna melted.
On the Knees
Secondly, in order to gather the manna a person had to bend very low or crawl on their knees. I’ve never been able to bend to the ground very well so I can see in my mind the people on their knees gathering the manna. Coincidence, I think not. Early morning, they were on their knees thanking God for the food and many blessings that He had provided as they gathered the manna.
Spend Time with God
Mark 1:35, NCSB, “Jesus got up very early to spend time with God.”
Psalms 5:5 NCSB, “At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak, I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.”
Psalm 17:15 NCSB, “when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.”
Jesus is the Bread of Life. Start each day seeking God’s presence. Jesus set the example for us. When you wake up, find time to spend with God. Praying is about seeking and communing with God. Seek directions from the Lord first thing in the day.
Pray Always
Psalms 119:148 NKJV, “I’m awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word.”
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV, “pray without ceasing.”
I have friends that stay up late at night and sleep late in the morning. God’s word includes prayer time for you as well. If you were an Israelite in the desert, you would miss breakfast! :)) God tells us to pray always, without ceasing. God is most interested in your heart and your love for Him! Seek Him day and night and pray without ceasing.
Fernando Ortego Give Me Jesus
Paula Wallace
further reading:
https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2018/06/18/sheltering-trees/
