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The Golden Pot of 'Hidden' Manna
Manna was the food that came down from God to
feed the children of Isreal daily in the wilderness
for the forty years of their journey to Canaan. It
was given to the children of Israel in such a way
that it required them to develop self-discipline.
Manna only came in the early morning with the dew
(Exodus 16:13-14). By the time the sun was up, it
would have evaporated (Exodus 16:21). It had to be
gathered every day, any residue would breed worms
and smell (Exodus 16:20), and they had to gather a
double portion on the sixth day, because none would
fall on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-27). It was
called 'Manna', because that is Hebrew for 'what is
it'. It looked like white coriander seed and tasted
like wafer biscuits made with honey (Exodus 16:31).
The Lord commanded Moses to fill an omer vessel
with Manna and keep it for a memorial to future
generations of how God fed them in the wilderness
(Exodus 16:32-33). This is the Golden Pot of Hidden
Manna in the Tabernacle.
Now, it is obvious that if Manna was kept for
longer than a day, or two days (if it was a
Sabbath), then the Manna would breed worms and
smell. Why then try to keep it for a memorial to
future generations?
The key is the Golden Pot. The Golden Pot would
last for ever. It is round, indicating eternal; it
is gold, indicating 'of God, divine'. The Golden
Pot indicates eternal life. Our life needs to be
"hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3) and we
need to know "Christ our life", the zoe (Greek)
eternal life (Colossians 3:4). The Hidden Manna was
a memorial of how the Lord had sustained His people
in an impossible situation. Christ is real and
applicable to every person in every age in every
circumstance. The question is: how much is He
really our life or how much is He just tacked on at
the end, when we have some time/energy to give Him?
Also when we have experienced His life supply in a
tight situation, it is good to have a memorial of
that faithful supply of His life as sustenance for
future similar occasions. "This is eternal life
that they may know You, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" Jesus prays in
John 17:3.
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