"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." [Josh. 1:8-9]
God is physically with them, but it's not enough for them to see and witness His presence. He wants them in the Book. We experience Him in our life, in the world around us and in the Book. I tend to de-emphasize the book because of our tendency to over intellectualize the pursuit of God. But there is no escaping the need and blessing of the Book.
When I Googled "Manna stops," I got this photograph of Stonehill College goaltender Mike Manna making a save...or a stop. Make of it what you will.
"The manna stopped...." [Josh. 5:12]
One morning they woke up and went out to gather in the day's manna and it wasn't there. They may have laughed and shouted for joy. No more of the same thing, day after day after day. They could eat whatever they wanted to eat - pick from the richness of the land, a land of promise long described in terms of what it had to consume: A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey. Sweet!
But did any of them pause to think about what they had lost? No more miracles to begin each day to not only sustain them but also remind them of God's love and care and intimate provision and action in their lives. No more dependency on their God for what they needed. Even though God gave them the land and the harvest, I'm sure they began to think they were providing for themselves now. Lord knows, then as now, He was still providing for them daily.
How long do you think they remembered the taste of manna? The texture and flavor of this heavenly bread? At what point did they miss it? Miss the familiar taste and the sense of security it provided? For some of them, manna was all they ever knew. And now it was gone and they could tell their children about it...but what would they say when a child asked what it tasted like? Would they remember? Could they put it in to words?
I'd like to know what manna tastes like, have a slice slathered in honey. Lord willing, one day I'll have a taste.
My post last year on this date.
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