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Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 2:54:54 PM
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sunofone
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Does anyone here know what is meant by Exodus 16 vs 35 And the Children of Israel did EAT MANNA FORTY YEARS,until they came to a land inhabited;they did EAT MANNA,UNTIL THEY CAME UNTO THE BORDERS OF THE LAND OF CANAAN.
The question is,did they literally eat a steady diet of manna for forty years?If so why?Better yet,did they for forty years eat only the manna,and the quail?Or did they eat manna,and other meat,and food during this forty year period?
I'm trying to get clarity on this for some greater purpose.Trust me,this is no trivia,or mindless question.
Thanks,Steve
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 3:01:17 PM
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MrFribbles
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quote:
The question is,did they literally eat a steady diet of manna for forty years?If so why?Better yet,did they for forty years eat only the manna,and the quail?Or did they eat manna,and other meat,and food during this forty year period?
Well, I would think they didn't necessarily just eat manna. There's no reason to believe there wasn't other food in the wilderness. The manna was enough to provide for everyone's needs, though. I believe that it was provided for the full 40 years, and that if a family, for whatever reason, didn't have any other food to eat, then the manna would have been enough to keep them alive. But, like I said, other people may have also hunted/grown/some-other-method other types of food as well.
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 3:47:42 PM
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DougHorton
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There were extended periods when they camped and did not move around. It is possible that they were able to grow some gardens. However, I have traveled in the Sinai Peninsula many times and I assure you, they could not have grown crops. Neither the soil or the rainfall would have allowed it, except for, maybe, dates.
On the other hand, there is no reason why they could not have traded with people from other areas. Also, the sea was nearby and fishing would have been possible. They also had their cattle, which, if slaughtered judiciously, would have seen them through the desert.
_____________________________
Doug
You may think it strange, but he never likes any assistance. When he made the world, he did not ask the angel Gabriel so much as to cool the molten matter with his wing, but he did it entirely himself. -- Spurgeon
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 3:58:38 PM
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sunofone
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I appreciate the responses.I guess I just need to know,if the manna was what they ate for forty years,and if so,was this in addition to other food,or was it the source of food by day as it was was when God first introduced it.
As I said,I'm asking for a purpose that goes beyond trivia,or foolishness.
Thanks,Steve
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 4:00:54 PM
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DougHorton
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Since the Israelites were complaining of hunger before the manna came, I would think this was the main food and other things were only supplemental.
_____________________________
Doug
You may think it strange, but he never likes any assistance. When he made the world, he did not ask the angel Gabriel so much as to cool the molten matter with his wing, but he did it entirely himself. -- Spurgeon
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 4:06:22 PM
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sunofone
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DougHorton
Since the Israelites were complaining of hunger before the manna came, I would think this was the main food and other things were only supplemental.
Exodus 12 vs 32 Take your flocks and herds,as you have said and go.
Chp 17 vs 3Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and LIVESTOCK die of thirst.
They had livestock even while they said they were hungry right?
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 4:10:12 PM
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DougHorton
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
They had livestock even while they said they were hungry right?
Yes.
_____________________________
Doug
You may think it strange, but he never likes any assistance. When he made the world, he did not ask the angel Gabriel so much as to cool the molten matter with his wing, but he did it entirely himself. -- Spurgeon
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 4:14:54 PM
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sunofone
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
Well, Scripture doesn't say. 
From knowing the weather, conditions, etc. of the region, I'd guess that it was their main food.
Well this is what I'm trying to be sure of.I know that scripture speaks of them having feast,before they reached Canaan,and they were instructed to build an alter for sacrifices and offerings.
Also Exodus 22 vs 31 So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beast;throw it to the dogs.
So I suspect that they ate and were allowed to eat of their livestock before they reached Canaan.I'm just trying to be sure,if I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing.
I know someone here knows the answer to this question readily.
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 4:15:57 PM
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sunofone
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DougHorton
quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
They had livestock even while they said they were hungry right?
Yes.
Then why didn't they eat it?
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 5:14:16 PM
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DougHorton
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
quote:
ORIGINAL: DougHorton
quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
They had livestock even while they said they were hungry right?
Yes.
Then why didn't they eat it?
They were a huge multitude. They knew they had some cattle for sacrifices, but other than that, I'm sure they were using some for beasts of burden, some as milk producers, and were hoping to save some to breed and build up stock in their new land. They did not know till later that they would be wandering 40 years. And then, they would have used their resources even more sparsely. Probably very little of the cattle was available as food. Do not look at them as American cowboys with dozens of cattle per person. They might have had one or two per family.
They were also on the move at first. You cannot kill, dress and cook an animal while walking.
Also consider this, they had been slaves. Even today meat is a luxury for most of the world. Their diet was most likely very close to being vegetarian.
_____________________________
Doug
You may think it strange, but he never likes any assistance. When he made the world, he did not ask the angel Gabriel so much as to cool the molten matter with his wing, but he did it entirely himself. -- Spurgeon
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/27/2008 9:34:46 PM
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sunofone
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Thanks Doug for your input.I sure hope someone else will chime in as well,before the topic goes dead.Anyone out there?
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/28/2008 9:20:34 PM
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breaking_stagnancy
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I do not see where it says that "everything" they ate was manna. They had it for forty years, but it doesn't say that was all they ate for forty years. If this question helps push you forward in faith then I would seek it out. Read up on nomadic tribes in the Middle East/Egypt area. See what resources would have been available to them. Dig into other texts about similar subjects. You'll find much more benefit finding an answer than being given an answer. If you do find one, please share. I'm curious too 
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RE: Why not eat? - 6/29/2008 9:48:13 AM
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bob97
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Maybe the statement that God provided manna for the people is only an indicator that God provided for them. Of course they had other food; one that comes to mind would be milk and other milk products. They came from a time and country when people were quite able to live off the land.
Bob
_____________________________
The LORD clears the road for me!
The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer!
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/4/2008 9:16:39 AM
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sunofone
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Today at 6:18am, bobbys43 wrote:
This is probably one the many times I will say something stupid, but hey that's me.
After reading this exodus of God's people from Egypt I can not help but see that I would have been just like the the people. Complain,complain,complain.
Set free but always wanting more. fed but wanting something better, a land called my own but is this as good as it gets,ect......
He supplies my needs but the fool I am just can not be truly satisfied.
bobby
I don't think this is stupid at all,in fact it's stupid when we look at it with a us vs them attitude.
I know I grew up perplexed as to how they could have God show up in such miraculous ways and yet still serve other gods.I understand them better,when I consider myself,what I do when times get tight.
I look at how I get doubtful,how I panic,how I eat the seed that he's given me in tough times rather than honor him with it.
I saw something in this story if you will,for the first time in my Christian life,and we're talking nearly thirty years here.I saw how Moses told Pharaoh that they had to use some of the flock and herdstock for sacrifice and worship to God,and until they got there,they would not know how much they would need to do this,so they could not leave a hoof behind.
Later,just after God had fed them manna for the first time,they went into a battle against the Amalekites and defeated them,yet we hear nothing of the plunder/spoils they won from this victory.
All we hear is that that they continued to eat this manna.In fact they were doing like any of us would with this manna,they were finding creative ways to cook it,so it wouldn't be as monotonous to eat.
They later complained that they were losing their appetite,and could only remember the pots of meat,and onions and leeks they had in Egypt.They desperately wanted meat in their diet,so again God provided quail into their diet,which killed those who complained for meat to God.
I began to see so much in this story beginning with the obvious and extending to the not so obvious.I saw how God miraculously provided for them,but I also saw how they had the willingness to leave the herd,livestock,and children alone when they were hungry.
They did not touch what was holy unto God,and to themselves.I saw how God provided them a foreshadowing of Jesus through manna,and how he again referenced this manna in several places throughout scripture,however conspicuously hidden in Malachai 3 when he said he would open the windows of heaven and pour them out a blessing that there would not be room enough to receive it.Again referring to the manna that would never run out,that you could never gather more or less than was needed.
I saw how before God instituted a tithe,or firstfruit mandate on them,he blessed them with his provision,yet they were already tithing and giving him a firstfruit offering before it was commanded and I doubt they even realized it.
I began to see that in all my life I never honored God with my resources,finances or otherwise.I tithed for about twenty of the thirty years of my Christian life,but I never honored God with my finances before.
I saw how blatantly disrespectful,and dishonorable I've been in my giving to God,in my recognition to his provision,in my attitude towards his finances and resources he's placed in my life.I saw that all of my life that I had the nerve to receive from God his blessings and give back to him what I thought I could afford to give him.
Many years when I did not purposely give him anything at all.I saw how God could put a thousand dollars in my hand,and I spend it down to the last one hundred and maybe give some of my last onehundred to him.Perhaps ten,twenty five dollars of it.
To top it off when I ran out,or even low,how I would look to him to provide me more so that I could continue to repeat the cycle allover again.
I though about how this plays itself out in reality.So God began to show me some real life examples of my unacceptable regard for his provision in my life.I thought about raising a child who reaches adulthood and still lives under your roof,and that child works and when he gets paid,will go out and buy what he wants to buy,give where he wants to give and grudgingly give you what is left over.
This same child will then continue to eat your food sleep under your roof,and have the nerve to ask to borrow money from you to put gas in his car or whatever until he gets paid again.
I've done this to God,in fact that's all I've ever done to God even when I was tithing and giving offerings to the church. This has forever changed me.I promised from that day forward to give purposely and take God's off the top first,before I pay anybody including myself.
I thought about how I don't operate with the sense that God gave an animal.
I don't think like the ant who works in the summer to store up food for the winter,I don't plan to save when times are plenteous,for times of lack.Instead I spend all,and when lack comes I whine and complain to God for more.The nerve!
I began to see how I like Israel try to store up manna,I don't take enough for today,and look for fresh manna on tomorrow.I want to store up manna from yesterday for tomorrow.
At first I didn't make the connection,until God showed me Jesus saying that we are to pray give us this day our daily bread,and then it hit me.I've never done this either.
I take manna/revelation that God has given me and store it up as doctrine/truth and it becomes spoiled and dead,but I don't care.It's a truth that I have and I don't let it go.So that when God would desire to give me a fresh word or expand my revelation he can't.because there's no room for fresh manna.
I feel I don't even need it,I'm still to busy eating off of the old spoiled manna instead of the fresh daily manna.I now know that nothing is for keeps,what he gives me today is ready to be discarded tomorrow for fresh bread.
I want to hear what he is saying to me daily,then I don't get trapped in my own doctrines,or doctrines of men.I instead stay current and in the flow of what he is saying today.Now I' growing/maturing.
There's so much more but I know this is already a long post.I'll share more later.
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/16/2008 1:45:43 PM
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bigbrat
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any one here
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/16/2008 3:40:46 PM
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sunofone
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bigbrat
any one here
yes we're always here 
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/16/2008 9:55:13 PM
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OleFitzHi
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They missed some things that they had left behind in Egypt. One thing was the food. Manna and quail filled this need they felt. They probably ate eveything they could get, but I bet they ate a lot of manna and quail.
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/16/2008 10:42:08 PM
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sunofone
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OleFitzHi
They missed some things that they had left behind in Egypt. One thing was the food. Manna and quail filled this need they felt. They probably ate eveything they could get, but I bet they ate a lot of manna and quail.
I don't get your point here  God purposely introduced manna to them not because he couldn't do any better but as a lesson that has lasting meaning.We all know that there journey through the desert was at some point punitive which necessitated they eat manna for as long as they did.
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/17/2008 6:36:21 AM
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OleFitzHi
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
quote:
ORIGINAL: OleFitzHi
They missed some things that they had left behind in Egypt. One thing was the food. Manna and quail filled this need they felt. They probably ate eveything they could get, but I bet they ate a lot of manna and quail.
I don't get your point here God purposely introduced manna to them not because he couldn't do any better but as a lesson that has lasting meaning.We all know that there journey through the desert was at some point punitive which necessitated they eat manna for as long as they did.
I don't think manna was a punishment, if that's what you mean. They were complaining in Ex. 16:3. They were looking back to the food they had in Egypt and longing for it. As a result of that desire, God gave them manna and quail. I'm sure they got tired of it after 40 years. It must have been pretty nutritious to sustain them for that long.
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/17/2008 8:16:31 AM
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sunofone
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OleFitzHi
quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
quote:
ORIGINAL: OleFitzHi
They missed some things that they had left behind in Egypt. One thing was the food. Manna and quail filled this need they felt. They probably ate eveything they could get, but I bet they ate a lot of manna and quail.
I don't get your point here God purposely introduced manna to them not because he couldn't do any better but as a lesson that has lasting meaning.We all know that there journey through the desert was at some point punitive which necessitated they eat manna for as long as they did.
I don't think manna was a punishment, if that's what you mean. They were complaining in Ex. 16:3. They were looking back to the food they had in Egypt and longing for it. As a result of that desire, God gave them manna and quail. I'm sure they got tired of it after 40 years. It must have been pretty nutritious to sustain them for that long.
You're right manna wasn't a punishment it was in the plan/will of God that they eat it,the spiritual lesson one can draw from it is limitless.This is the point of the OP,exploring the significance of the eating of the manna.
That they ate manna for as long as they did was in part punitive as their journey in the desert was extended due to their grumbling and disobedience and lack of faith.
The question I raised with you was whether you were suggesting that God provided them manna and quail because he couldn't do any better.To say that they had not brought enough food to supply their needs necessitated God provide them manna would be a serious mistake.
It was exactly one month after they left Egypt that they grumbled about starving and then began thinking back to the food they enjoyed in Egypt.They had livestock and herd which they took on their journey they also after they left the desert of Sin had a battle with the Amalekites which they defeated their Army.
God could have given them the possesions of the Amalekites as well which would have added to their spoils they took from Egypt,couple that with the fact that their journey in the desert was extended they could have ate like kings in between their journey to the promised land,but their was a purpose to the manna and the journey.
This is the reason behind the op exploring the reasons why which I happen to believe are significant and a blessing for us to consider.
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RE: Why not eat? - 7/18/2008 9:01:12 PM
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OleFitzHi
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
quote:
ORIGINAL: OleFitzHi
quote:
ORIGINAL: sunofone
quote:
ORIGINAL: OleFitzHi
They missed some things that they had left behind in Egypt. One thing was the food. Manna and quail filled this need they felt. They probably ate eveything they could get, but I bet they ate a lot of manna and quail.
I don't get your point here God purposely introduced manna to them not because he couldn't do any better but as a lesson that has lasting meaning.We all know that there journey through the desert was at some point punitive which necessitated they eat manna for as long as they did.
I don't think manna was a punishment, if that's what you mean. They were complaining in Ex. 16:3. They were looking back to the food they had in Egypt and longing for it. As a result of that desire, God gave them manna and quail. I'm sure they got tired of it after 40 years. It must have been pretty nutritious to sustain them for that long.
You're right manna wasn't a punishment it was in the plan/will of God that they eat it,the spiritual lesson one can draw from it is limitless.This is the point of the OP,exploring the significance of the eating of the manna.
That they ate manna for as long as they did was in part punitive as their journey in the desert was extended due to their grumbling and disobedience and lack of faith.
The question I raised with you was whether you were suggesting that God provided them manna and quail because he couldn't do any better.To say that they had not brought enough food to supply their needs necessitated God provide them manna would be a serious mistake.
It was exactly one month after they left Egypt that they grumbled about starving and then began thinking back to the food they enjoyed in Egypt.They had livestock and herd which they took on their journey they also after they left the desert of Sin had a battle with the Amalekites which they defeated their Army.
God could have given them the possesions of the Amalekites as well which would have added to their spoils they took from Egypt,couple that with the fact that their journey in the desert was extended they could have ate like kings in between their journey to the promised land,but their was a purpose to the manna and the journey.
This is the reason behind the op exploring the reasons why which I happen to believe are significant and a blessing for us to consider.
I think their desire was for the things of Egypt, food being one of them. A god that they could see and touch being another.
It pictures the church hearing the call of the world that we have been called out of. God's lesson to them was to depend on Him for daily bread. Ultimately, Jesus is pictured as the bread of life. He is all-sufficient for our spiritual needs, much as manna was all sufficient for their physical needs.
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