Good morning…
Like morning manna falling for the first followers, God rains down the nourishment we each need for this day. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was (Exodus 16:14-15a, NLT). By the way, the footnote in my Bible says, “The word ‘manna’ is a transliteration of two Hebrew words meaning What is it?, the question the Israelites asked on first seeing it.”
I have read that sentence in Scripture again and again over the years. Each time my mind crinkles up her nose and experiences the sentence like a whiney, finicky eater. “What is it, God?” It looks dry and yucky.” “What is it, God?” I hate foreign-to-me food. “What is it, God?” Tell me every detail before I take my first bite.
Today is the first time my mind changed her tone of voice, and I read the sentence like an excited kid on Christmas morn. “What is it, God?” I love Your surprises. “What is it, God?” You rained down this gift just for me? “What is it, God?” I cannot wait to gather, to share, to feed from today’s portion.
And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.” So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed (16:15b-18).
God has already decided what is on this day’s manna menu. When our mind shifts her tone of voice from grumbling to grateful, we welcome the mysterious abundance of verse 21. Each morning everyone gathered as much as was needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.
…Sue…
