Exodus 16:11-12 The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ “
The joy of eating! It is universal and timeless. While food consumption is necessary for survival, it is so very much more. As I sit most days and feed my father his lunch or dinner, I’ve gotten to know the residents of his nursing home who share this season of life with my dad. Many have limited conversation abilities, but their facial expressions speak volumes. Mealtime brings joy as residents sit in silence, often with their eyes closed, simply enjoying the satisfaction of a good meal. Watching them eat, brings me joy.
The Israelites were in a pickle! While the oppression of slavery in Egypt brought physical hardship, it apparently did not bring about a lack of food. The Israelites had begun to think the unthinkable by wishing for a return to Egypt! Lack of food resources had certainly brought about the “hangryness” in God’s people. And the Lord heard their cries and answered. Whether their meat was the migratory path of quail (as suggested in my study Bible) or some miraculous provision beyond the natural world, it matters not. Protein was provided and malnutrition avoided. Additionally, the manna provided each morning gave the Israelites bread. Was it another explainable natural phenomenon? Perhaps, but however the manna materialized, the timing was truly miraculous. The Israelites could relax and enjoy the delectable tastes of God’s provision.
As I read through Exodus 16, I couldn’t help but think about the many parts of our world today where malnutrition and famine pervade. Wouldn’t it be nice if manna appeared for them? Or perhaps an influx of migratory birds, exhausted from flight, landed upon the encampments of the starving? Dear Lord, could it be so?? The faces of suffering we see on television are often too much to bear. It is truly easier to turn away. And yet, Jesus directs us to look with eyes wide open. In Matthew 25, Jesus reminds us that providing for “the least” in our midst is the same as giving a cup of water to Jesus himself. While we can’t fix the whole world, we can absolutely make a dent. Our chili cook-off at church this past weekend raised money for local food pantries. The upcoming Crop Walk on Sunday, October 19, raises money for global food provisions. Individually, we may be a tiny pebble, but collectively, we are strong!
Dear Lord, please open our eyes to ways in which we can alleviate the suffering of others, particularly hunger! Rather than pointlessly wringing our hands, may we actively find ways to feed, hydrate, and cloth those who need a miracle. May we be the meat and manna of our day and age!
Blessings,
Diana
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