Exodus 16:14-20 - Freezer-Burned Spirituality

Freezers are the food equivalent of a junk drawer. You know... that desk drawer that collects an odd assortment of pens, paper clips, mini screw drivers, a laser toy for the dog, coupons, expired gift cards.

We figure that if we put something in the freezer, it's cryogenically preserved to be passed on to our great grandchildren.

Honestly: When was the last time you found freezer-burned food in your freezer? Do you dare look? Somewhere, lurking behind the frozen berries and ice cream are slices of that big ham from two years ago.

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When the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, God sustained them with manna. Manna appeared every morning on the ground like flakes of frost. Not knowing what it was, the Israelites called it "manna," which just means, "what is it?" It could be made into Manna could be boiled or baked to make various meals. (Exodus 16:14-15, 23)

Instructions were precise: Other than collecting one day in advance for the Sabbath day of rest, they were to harvest only enough manna for one day at a time. If they tried to keep left-overs--and some of them tried--it became rotten and wormy. (Exodus 16:16-20)

God had specific reasons for having them collect manna one day at a time:
It was a test to see if they could follow instructions. (Deuteronomy 8:16)
God wanted them to learn to depend on Him, and that "people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3, New Living Translation, 2015. Quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:4.)

The Israelites were eating a "spiritual food," and their lesson provides an example for us today. (1 Corinthians 10:3, 6) The spiritual food we eat is Jesus who said He is the "Bread of Life" that came down from heaven. (John 6:31-35)

Like the Israelites, we need a fresh helping of this Bread every day. Our spiritual lives can't be sustained on left overs. It may not be moldy or wormy, but is it freezer-burned? Isn't the smell and taste of fresh-baked bread so much better?

Our Father in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread--physical bread; spiritual bread (Matthew 6:11). Every morning that You wake us up brings fresh mercy. (Lamentations 3:23) Give us the appetite to enjoy it! May we never tire of gathering the gifts and grace for sustaining our walk with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

PS - Yes, I did finish the ice cream.