When the Israelites left Egypt, there was a forty-year period in which they traveled the desert before they entered the Promised Land. During this time God provided them bread from heaven to eat called manna (John 6:31). He literally rained down grain from heaven for the people to eat (Psalm 78:24). When the Israelites first saw it they said to each other, “What is it?” Moses told them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.” (Exodus 16:15)
When dew fell on the camp at night the bread would fall with it (Numbers 11:9). The people were instructed to go out and gather a days portion everyday (Exodus 16:4). The Bible says manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin or bdellium, and tasted like wafers made with honey (Numbers 11:7 Exodus 16:31). The people would gather it and grind or beat it in a mortar (a hollowed stone or vessel), boil it in the pot, and make cakes with it (Numbers 11:8). God stopped providing the heavenly food to the Israelites after they entered the Promised Land. (Joshua 5:12)
Jesus And Manna
Jesus mentions manna several times in the New Testament as he refers to himself as the bread of life. He then tells the people that their ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.
(John 6:31) Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
(John 6:48-50) I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
(John 6:58) This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
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