Manna With Your Name On It

I love the way the Church connects the Old and New Testaments for us.  It helps us see Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Old Testament and all it predicted.  On Sunday we find ourselves in the Book of Deuteronomy. (meaning the Second Law)  I like to think of the book as everything the people needed explained one more time.

Please take a few minutes to read Deut 8:2-3, 14b-16a

The first thing Moses tells the people is to remember how the Lord led them.  In Hebrew this does not simply mean think about for a while, get a warm and fuzzy feeling and move on.  It means think about it and act.  He is telling them to act like God remembers them.  Do you?

Moses tells them that although the Lord is in charge and is guiding them, He is allowing them to be tested to see if they prove faithful.  Is He doing the same to you?

We then read that God allowed the people to be hungry only to turn around and give them manna from heaven.  To me this shows that we need to feel need before we can be satisfied.  What is God withholding from you now?  Why do you think that is?  Could it be because He wants to give you something better, like Bread from heaven?

The lesson for the people is clear.  They need to move past their earthly need for bread and look to “every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.”  They need to learn to obey.  Do you?  It is important for us to remember as we celebrate the Solemnity of His Body and Blood on Sunday, that in this passage God ordains Bible study. We need to know God’s Word.  It is another way we can be fed….like manna in the desert.

The people are then told not to forget and it lists the many things God has done for them.  Too often we overlook the provisions God gives because we are fixated on what He has withheld.  The passage lists four things God did to provide for the people.  Your homework for tonight is to write a paragraph containing at least four things God has given you.  Tuck it away and read it each day.  In Hebrew you don’t simply remember, you act on it.  Act like God has done great things for you.  Act like you are grateful for what you do have.  He probably has some manna with your name on it.