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By Mike Caton

Exodus 16:14-15, “When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.’”

The quail came in the evening and in the morning there was a dew like layer all around the camp. When the dew dried up, these flakes like frost appeared. In my mind’s eye, I see the ground covered with Tony the Tiger’s Frosted Flakes! I’m not sure that is completely accurate, but it seems like a good description. The Israelites have never seen anything like this, and wonder what it is.

And Moses explains it is the bread the Lord has given them to eat. Numbers 11 gives us a few more details. The people gathered it, and crushed it in a mortar and pestle. They could either cook it in a pot, maybe like oatmeal or something. Or they could bake it into bread. And I’m sure some of them tried to eat it raw, there is no doubt I would have. But regardless of the cooking method, bread from heaven sounds mighty good to me.

Do you know the Hebrew word for manna really means, what is it? They had never seen anything like this before. And Moses has to explain what it is and what to do with it. Sometimes isn’t that the way God’s blessings come to us? Unexpected, maybe even misunderstood. It is no secret God works in ways and on a schedule that is far beyond us. We sometimes fret because things are not going our way or happening in our time. Maybe we wonder if God is going to do anything at all. And sometimes God is working things out on our behalf at that very moment. We simply need to learn to trust him more. To depend on him more. To have the faith and confidence that he is taking care of things.

Father, thank you for taking care of me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works full time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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