Manna,…or the old corn of the Land.
Joshua 5:11-12 “And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the marrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the self same day.
And the manna ceased on the marrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”
On this day the manna stopped. They did not need it any more. It had been God’s miraculous food for His people, in the wilderness. (Exodus16:14-16)
But now there was the old corn of the land, stored up from the harvest of the inhabitants.
When they entered Canaan, the people had fled into Jericho, and had left this supply of food behind.
Now Israel had a supply, not from heaven each morning…….but from their enemies.
Certainly, both supplies came from God:
One was directly from Him, each morning.
The other was a supply He gave from the land which they were entering.
I want to talk for a moment about the different ways God supplies our need…..both spiritual lessons and graces….and physical needs…..
….there is the “ordinary way”…from our jobs, or inheritances….these, though of course, supplied by God is not in a miraculous way.
….then there is the “surprise way”….where some gift or extra money or supplies are given for a specific time.
….then there is (and I think this is amazing!) the way God supplies our needs…through our very enemies.
How many times have we learned a lesson in courage, or peace, or strength…by our enemies?
Our God is an Almighty, and Wise God…..He knows when and where and what to “feed” us….and from what source!
These supplies were also different in the way they were presented to feed Israel.
The manna was on the ground, right outside the tents of each Israelite. So he could walk on it if he so chose.
This is a picture of Christ when He came in His humiliation as the Man Christ Jesus….He was presented in an earthly manner…..and many people “trod Him underfoot”.
John 6:33-35 “For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.”
He came, presented Himself as the Son of God, and was despised and trampled on, as often the manna was to Israel.
John 6:41-42 “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am bread which came down from heaven.
And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”
As the manna was given directly from heaven, but placed upon the ground round their tents for them to honor and receive,…..
…or to walk on…..
…..so Jesus Christ came to this earth to be received or rejected, as Savior to sinners.
The old corn of the land was discovered, as they came to possess their possessions in the Promised Land.
It was part of their inheritance,……and so they received it with thanksgiving.
This is like Christ being presented as Lord and Savior to a lost and dying world….
……after He had ascended into heaven again, receiving all power, and set down at the right hand of God, with all authority.
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and , lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
(You must remember that the apostles began the work of the gospel to the world in Jerusalem, among the very ones who had crucified Jesus.
They preached Christ there, and on the first day of Pentecost three thousand were saved.
From Jerusalem, it was Judea, Samaria [the places Jesus had preached] and to the uttermost part of the world from there. [Acts 1:8])
Christ Jesus was presented to the lost world, and where He was received, there was thanksgiving.
Was their battles? Yes, in both cases:
Israel in Canaan….
…..the Gospel of Christ to the world.
(I do not believe there has never been a time when Christians have not been persecuted somewhere in the world…..for Christ’s sake….we should expect it….and not be caught off guard.)
Yet Christ is set before us as our inheritance;
He nourishes us; builds us up; and sustains us.
Let us give thanks for His Salvation, and all He has done for us….each day.
Christ is still the Bread of Life. He is still being presented to the world.
Both supplies of food represent Christ…..one sent from heaven to be presented to Israel, on the ground.
One sent by heaven through the very enemies they were to overcome, as they entered into their possessions in the Promised Land.
Let us praise God for all the ways He sees to us, to His Gospel, and to the honor of His Son.
“Praise Him, praise Him….sing of His excellent greatness:
Praise Him, praise Him! Ever in joyful song!”
Are we enjoying our portion?
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 