Manna: The Bread of Life

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. The people had left the Red Sea with light feet and hearts, but their countenance was wilting after three days in the wilderness of sure without any fresh water to quench their weary throats. I'm afraid that these people will turn feral if we don't find water soon. 00:00:22 Speaker 2: Hey, what are we supposed to do now, Moses, You're. 00:00:27 Speaker 3: The one who brought us out here. It's your responsibility. What are we going to drink? 00:00:33 Speaker 2: We're gonna die out here. 00:00:36 Speaker 4: Ah, God just parted an entire sea for you people. 00:00:40 Speaker 2: As we speak, a cloud of smoke is before us to guide us to paradise. 00:00:45 Speaker 4: Yet here you are whining like children. 00:00:49 Speaker 1: For a moment, he wondered if the Lord would be silent now that he had freed his people. Had he resigned to doing enough? Were they on their own? 00:00:58 Speaker 5: Now? 00:00:59 Speaker 1: Was Moses to lead without the guidance of the Almighty? Who was he without the voice? These wrestlings of doubt and fear often visited his mind. 00:01:10 Speaker 5: If you will diligently listen to my voice and do that which is right in my eyes, and give you to my commandments and keep all my statues, I will put none of the disease on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer. 00:01:38 Speaker 6: When our limits are tested and our ability to provide for ourselves disappears, where do we turn? Do we turn against each other? Or do we turn our gaze upward toward the bread of life? Shallow, my friends, from here in the Holy Land, I'm ya l Exstein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Welcome to the Chosen People. I've been listening along for a while now. First of all, thank you, as we say in Hebrew todirabat, passion and heart has been put into this project, and we're only getting started. If you've been inspired, entertained, encouraged, and if you've been enjoying it, we would just love it if you shared your thoughts in a review. I love to read them and see what you're thinking and any feedback you have, and I can't wait to hear from you. Now let's begin. What does it mean to trust in God's provision when your stomach is empty and the land is devoid of sustenance. Today we find the Chosen People. We have left behind the familiar oppression of Pharaoh for the vast unknown of the desert. They've witnessed miracles beyond comprehension, the parting of the Red Sea, the mighty hand of God guiding them through the impossible odds. But now hunger gnaws at their bellies and fear pulls at their hearts. Does their faith waver when the horizon shows no promise of food or water? As we journey with our ancestors, let's ask ourselves what does it take to rely on God when every physical sign seems to contradict his promises? 00:03:16 Speaker 1: Blighted winds howled from the north, Hot, dry, and cruel. The Desert of Sin was an infamous expanse, often said to be the burial grounds of the ancient nomads. The desert offered no sustenance, no shade, no mercy. It was an unwelcoming and cruel host, seemingly bent on sapping the life out of every traveler foolish enough to walk its sands. The children of Israel were growing weaker by the day. Sap of energy and optimism. Scanning this pack of misfits was Moses and Arron. Dust caked their cheese, and the weight of leadership drew their shoulders forward. Moses scanned the encampment of people, heads slumped forward, weary and devoid of sustenance. 00:04:17 Speaker 4: I'm worried about them, Marina. 00:04:19 Speaker 3: We're only fifteen days into our journey to Sinai, and I'm afraid their strength is already sapped. 00:04:28 Speaker 4: How much longer until we reach Mount Sinai? 00:04:31 Speaker 3: With this large group, it's almost impossible to know, especially if they're this week. 00:04:38 Speaker 7: Whatever happens, we can let them start eating the live stock. 00:04:43 Speaker 4: There are only ticket to gaining wealth in the new Land. We'll need them to bottle with other villages. 00:04:49 Speaker 3: They eat the livestock, It's the beginning of the end. 00:04:52 Speaker 1: As they pondered these things, a clamoring could be heard from the center of the encampment. Moses and Aaron ra and through the camp. Two men were exchanging blows with a circle of peeple surround them. One man lunged from the other and tackled into the ground. They tumbled in the dust, taking turns striking the other. Aaron ran and grabbed one of them, while her leaped from the crowd and grabbed another. 00:05:19 Speaker 2: You come near my goats again and I'll brand you with an iron. 00:05:22 Speaker 3: You're a paranoid fool. I didn't touch your goats. 00:05:26 Speaker 2: My wife heard you and your sons sneaking around our tent last night. 00:05:31 Speaker 3: Well she's either a liar or just as mad as you are. Take that back. 00:05:36 Speaker 1: The two men broke free and raised their fists to fight again. Moses had finally had enough. He slammed his staff into the ground and shouted. 00:05:46 Speaker 3: Enough of this will never last in this desertive way at each other's throats. 00:05:52 Speaker 1: The men both darted their eyes at Moses. It wasn't fear of his leadership that got their attention, but spite. 00:06:00 Speaker 2: We won't last at this raid anyway. We don't have any food. That's why this thief wanted to steal my goats. 00:06:07 Speaker 3: The Egyptians were the lucky ones. They got to die a swift death under the sea. We're going to wither away under the sun. 00:06:16 Speaker 1: The crowd was beginning to stir. Hunger grip them. Hunger causes anger, and anger causes all sorts of issues. Moses clenched his jaw tightly. Hunger ordered him as well, but he couldn't show it. 00:06:31 Speaker 3: The Lord has gotten us this far. He will provide for us. I'll believe it when my children aren't fainting from hunger, Moses. 00:06:39 Speaker 1: The crowd stirred some more murmurs hushed throughout the throng, a foreboding hum of chaos and rebellion. 00:06:48 Speaker 6: Remember when we were in Egypt, we sat around pots of meat and ate all the. 00:06:53 Speaker 2: Food we wantedsheah, until Moses came along and tore us away. 00:07:00 Speaker 1: Aaron had heard enough of it. He shouted at the people and raised his hands to his head in dismay. 00:07:06 Speaker 7: What is wrong with you people? We were slaves. We only ate what was ration to us. We came from far worse than this. Don't let the present suffer and repaint the pastors filled with bliss. 00:07:20 Speaker 1: Moses and Aaron listened to their murmuring grow louder, like a hive of angry bees, rationalizing with a hungry lobs a fruitless endeavor. They were so starving that even slavery seemed like a welcome respite from their woes. Aaron and Moses exchanged concerned looks. They needed food, and quickly Moses stormed off to see God's counsel. He believed that the Lord would provide, but his timing was often a mystery. 00:07:49 Speaker 3: What would we do God, how will we put food in the bellies with not sacrificing our future. 00:07:57 Speaker 4: We need bread. 00:07:58 Speaker 3: We can't farmer trade of hardest in this desolate place. 00:08:03 Speaker 1: Moses hands trembled from fatigue. He took deep breath to regain control, but to no avail. Then the Lord answered. He did not speak with a booming voice from the heavens, or with the strike of lightning. His voice was gentle, calm, and reassuring, like the babbling of a familiar brook. 00:08:26 Speaker 5: I will rain down bread from heaven for you. I will provide the people with food to sustain them. Each day. No more and no less will they be given. This would be to test their obedience. For six days they will bear the food, and on the sixth day they will store food for the Sabbath. 00:08:50 Speaker 1: Moses's heart fluttered in his chest, although he didn't allow himself to feel relieved. The Lord's promise of food came with a test, and he wasn't so sure the children of Israel were in a condition to be tested. Nervously, Moses returned to the throng of people. Aaron was trying and failing to calm them down. They were growing more unruly by. 00:09:17 Speaker 2: The second I refuse to die here from starvation, I'm taking my clan out of here and search for food. 00:09:26 Speaker 3: We'll follow you. Better to die searching for fool than waste away. 00:09:31 Speaker 4: Here ratherin Please have faith. Hasn't our God got in us this far? My God is my stomach. I shall follow him where he leads here here. 00:09:43 Speaker 1: Moses approached silently, but his presence was felt. The crowd's high pitched wine turned to a low grumble when he presented himself. They waited with furrowed brows for him to speak. Moses tried to hide his irritation, but with little sin. 00:10:00 Speaker 8: Sass, Your constant complaining is kept me up at night. Your childish whining is an incessant drip that won't end lucky for you. 00:10:11 Speaker 4: I am not God. If I was, I wouldn't miss a patient. 00:10:17 Speaker 1: Moses paused and caught himself. He shook his head and tried to speak with more compassion, a compassion that flowed from the Lord's heart. 00:10:27 Speaker 8: Even though you've already forgotten his faithfulness, Sir, Lord has heard your grumbling. Tonight you will all be reminded of his compassion and character. 00:10:43 Speaker 4: It's about time. 00:10:45 Speaker 3: Who are you to complain. Was it you who parted sees and crushed Pharaoh? 00:10:51 Speaker 1: Moses gestured to Aaron and himself, and then raised a finger at the people. 00:10:57 Speaker 4: Who are we that you should grumble against us? Are we your mothers? Do we owe you something? 00:11:04 Speaker 8: You should know that every time you grumble against us, it's actually. 00:11:08 Speaker 4: Against the lawn, the one who saved you. 00:11:11 Speaker 1: Moses felt her hand on his shoulder. It was Miriam, giving him a reassuring squeeze and a signal to calm down. Moses flared his nostrils, ready to snap again, but stopped. He relented, turned away from the crowd. He spoke to Aaron, saying. 00:11:31 Speaker 4: Tell them to come before the law with their complaints. 00:11:33 Speaker 8: He's heard them, will move. 00:11:37 Speaker 1: Moses skulked off, murmuring to himself in frustration. Aaron sighed, then turned to the crowd. 00:11:45 Speaker 4: The Lord has heard your Conplease, he has not turned a deaf ear to our needs. Behold for yourselves. 00:11:52 Speaker 1: Aaron gestured to the expanse behind them. The desert wind churned and a radiant cloud formed in the sky. Lightning struck within the gray cloud, causing it to ignite with a sapphire glow. It was the glory of the Lord. He was coming. Moses watched from a nearby ridge. The wind bit at his cheek. He pulled his cloak in tighter, still simmering in anger, towards the people. Then, in a manner only fitting for Moses, the Lord spoke. 00:12:25 Speaker 5: At twilight, you will eat meat. In the morning, you will be filled with bread. They will know that I am the Lord. 00:12:38 Speaker 1: Thunder clapped, and Moses saw the dark skies flash with radiant light. Their God was on the move. Despite their complaints, despite their grumbling and childish whining, despite their ingratitude, God would provide for them. The cloud gold swirled overhead. The charcoal skies, mixed with the setting sun caused a crimson hue to envelop the land. The people of Israel settled in for the night, anxious and hungry. Then a sound came from the distance. Moses and Aaron exited their tents and looked up. 00:13:22 Speaker 4: Are we being attacked? 00:13:23 Speaker 1: Suddenly and violently, to the swarm of quail all through the canyons. The storm in the distance pushed them all from the east. They flew and. 00:13:33 Speaker 4: Ran through the camp, quick get them. 00:13:36 Speaker 1: The people emerged from their tents. At first they were filled with terror, but it quickly turned to joy as they realized what the Lord had done. Men, women and children frantically grabbed nets and sticks to catch the quail. There was enough for each household to enjoy. That night, the smell of meat cooked over camphires wafted upward with the sound of laughter. It was like incense to the Lord. Moses scanned the crowd, smiles and full bellies were illuminated by the flames. Moses sat by himself at the edge of camp, content to be alone and listen to the people's laughter. Miriam approached with a bowl of stew and placed it in Moses's lap. 00:14:28 Speaker 4: This is more than we could have asked. What's so funny? 00:14:33 Speaker 8: You're right by His bounty is more than enough, But the wood isn't even finished yet. He can do exceedingly more than we could ever ask or imagine. 00:14:49 Speaker 1: It was before the first light of dawn. All was quiet, still peaceful. The children of Israel slept soundly that night, having full bellies for the first time in weeks. The morning mists slithered over the valley, bringing the morning dew. It lay gently around the Israelite camp, rising with the jew came a flake like substance. It laced the ground like frost. Everyone emerged from their tent and looked around curiously. Nobody knew what to make of it. 00:15:25 Speaker 4: What is this? 00:15:28 Speaker 3: Don't touch it? 00:15:30 Speaker 4: It could be deadly. 00:15:32 Speaker 2: It looks harmless. 00:15:33 Speaker 4: See it's like cotton. 00:15:35 Speaker 1: The people gathered around, poking it with sticks and wondering if they should be concerned. Moses came up from behind eat. They all turned confused and skeptical. 00:15:48 Speaker 8: This is the daily bread the Lord's given you. He has commanded that you take an omer and measure enough for each person in your tent. 00:15:57 Speaker 4: No more, no less. 00:16:00 Speaker 1: The people gathered up the mystery food. Some took more than others, but nobody lacked any. Moses picked some up for himself. It was light in his palms, flaky and scentless. He pressed it to his lips, feeling its soft and inviting texture. He put it in his mouth. It was chewy, but not fibrous. It was sweet, but didn't burst with flavor, like a date or fig It was pleasant, but not overwhelming. The people enjoyed and ate until their bellies were full. He looked around. People began to fight. 00:16:38 Speaker 2: Nor harm had taken a little more for later, I mean, the big man. 00:16:42 Speaker 6: After all, you can take ext you, then I can take ext you. 00:16:46 Speaker 7: Well, what if we want to save some just at least the children get hungry at night? 00:16:50 Speaker 2: We should save some in jars for our journey. 00:16:53 Speaker 3: Who knows if it'll ever come again? 00:16:55 Speaker 4: No more, no less. 00:16:57 Speaker 3: Do as a lord commands, asked him for tomorrow. We don't know if it will come tomorrow. 00:17:04 Speaker 1: The people were frantic. They had been so hungry and deprived that they couldn't trust that the food would be there tomorrow. They began fighting, holding whatever they could for themselves. 00:17:16 Speaker 4: Of course, they still haven't learned. 00:17:19 Speaker 1: Moses clenched his staff, his stomach boiled with rage. 00:17:23 Speaker 4: Their children want they can't follow simple instructions. 00:17:26 Speaker 1: That Moses turned to hear the people clamoring over something. He looked down and saw the bread slowly melting away with the afternoon sun. The bread that had been hoarded rotted, giving way to maggots. A terrible odor emerged from the stolen substance. The people quickly learned that the Lord wasn't giving them a suggestion, and he told them to only take enough for the day. He was giving them a command. They needed to trust him, needed to understand that He was their daily bread, their daily provision. Each day God provided food, but each day the people grew anxious and tried to save more. Yet day after day God provided for their needs. Slowly they began to trust that the Lord would protect and provide for them. He was their God, and just as He clothed the mountain range with wildflowers and provided seed for the birds of the air to eat, he would take care of his chosen people. 00:18:39 Speaker 6: This story is incredible. It's like I'm standing there among my ancestors looking up at the sky in wonder. Can you imagine, and then every morning finding the ground covered with bread from heaven. Have you ever wondered why Israelites had gathered the manna every day? Why couldn't they just store it and avoid the daily effort. Well, the answer is pretty profound. You see, the mana wasn't just for feeding their bodies. It was for growing their faith one day at a time. It reminded the Chosen people each and every day that God was their provider, not just for their physical needs, but also for their spiritual wellbeing. The Jewish ages suggest that the mana, while looking the same to everyone, tasted differently depending on what each person wanted. Isn't that a wonderful picture of our relationship with God. He knows each of our favorite foods, he knows each of our needs, and he meets us right where we are. There's a verse in the story I'd like to take a closer look at. In verse five, God tells the Israelites that quote, on the sixth day, they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days. 00:19:53 Speaker 4: End quote. 00:19:55 Speaker 6: Here, the Bible tells us that a double portion of the mana fell on Friday, and that no mana fell on Saturday. On Shabbat the Sabbath. This was to emphasize how different the Sabbath was to be from the other days of the week, that we must rest just as God rested on the seventh day of creation. What's interesting is that we still commemorate the Mana every single Shabbat. At each of the Sabbath meals, we have two whole loaves of bread on the table. Usually the special shabab bread is called hala. Those two loaves that are on the Shabbat table represent the double portion of the mana that fell on Friday. God's promised to us that if we observe the Sabbath as a day of rest and spirituality, he will make sure that we are not disadvantaged by refraining from work on that day. Even as we cover the hala with a decorative cloth that represents the dew that enclosed the mana, we even cover the halla with the gritive cloth that represents the dew that enclosed the mana after it fell to the ground from heaven. It really does feel good to eat heavenly bread every single Shabbat. One of my favorite places here in Israel is the Jaffa flea market. For me, it's an adventure rummaging through layers of history woven into eclectic items. But I have a friend who sees so much more. As she digs through the piles of things for sale, she gazes at what others disregard as trash, and she sees treasures. She buys things that I wouldn't give a second glance, And when she brings her treasures home, they transform into a priceless piece of art. Her ability to see beauty in the strange and the unattractive always inspires me. It reminds me that life is shaped by our perception. When the Mana first appeared, the Israelites were puzzled. They asked, what is it? In Hebrew? You say, man Who? Which is How it's Mana got its name. 00:22:08 Speaker 4: But just as. 00:22:09 Speaker 6: God sent Mana to the Israelites, he sends us what we need each day through our experiences, the people we meet, the weather that we encounter, and anything else that unfolds around us. It's not just chance, its destiny. Like the Israelites, we often look at our circumstances and ask man who. 00:22:31 Speaker 4: What is it? 00:22:32 Speaker 6: Is it good or is it bad? And just as the Israelites could determine the taste of the Mana, we should remember to shape the flavor of our lives. It's not what happens to us that matters, is how we choose to feel about what happens. You see, if we decide that life is terrible, then life really will be terrible. But on the other hand, if we believe that everything is ultimately for the best, then we will experience life as God's blessings. 00:23:05 Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yil Eckstein, Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review,