Monday, September 15, 2014

Bread from Heaven (9/15-16)

15-16 September 2014 - Bread from Heaven – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Exodus 16:4 “Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no.”

This “bread from heaven” is called “manna” (v.15). It was a special food, a miracle sent from God to feed the people after the exodus (coming out) of Egypt. It was a white substance that looks like frost, took the form of thin flakes, and tasted like honey (v.14).

The supply of manna ceased when Israel entered the Promised Land and other food became available (Josh.5:12). “And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna anymore; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”

The children of Israel did not have a Bible at their time. What they had was their “Fresh Manna from Heaven” as a daily reminder that God provides for them to eat.  That became a “history of who God was to the children of Israel.” Their story was put into the written Bible. Forty different men were inspired by the Holy Spirit and wrote God’s Word (2Pet.1:21). Today the Bible was given to us from God. Why? Because the Bible tells us about Jesus Christ, the Son of God who was the Savior of the world.

Jesus introduced Himself, “I came down from heaven. I am that bread of life. I am the living bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:38, 48, 51). Moses foretold that someone like him will come and Moses spoke about Jesus Christ, the Manna. The Manna was a type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who as “the true bread from heaven” gives eternal life. Acts 7:37 “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear.”

*In what way was Jesus like Moses? (1) Moses was anointed by the Spirit (Num.11:17); the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus to preach the gospel (Lu.4:18-19). (2) God used Moses to start the old covenant; Jesus brought in the new covenant. (3) Moses led Israel out of Egypt to Sinai and established relationship with God; Christ redeemed His people from sin and satanic bondage and established a new, living relationship with God where His people might enter into the very presence of God.

(4) Moses in the O.T. laws referred to the sacrifice of a lamb to bring redemption; Christ Himself became the Lamb of God to furnish salvation for all who accept Him. (5) Moses faithfully pointed to the law and the obligation to God’s people to obey its statutes in order to receive God’s blessing; Christ pointed to Himself and the Holy Spirit as God’s way of fulfilling His will and receiving God’s blessing and eternal life. [*Note from the Full Life Study Bible]

SONG: FILL MY CUP
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord,
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul,
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and made me whole.
(Inspiring Choruses)

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