1. The Real Purpose of Manna Exodus 16: 9 – 21 Manna = “What is it?” (vs. 15) 1. “angel food” – Ps. 78:25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full. 2. Looked like coriander seed; white color like hoar frost – Ex. 16:31 … and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Num. 11:7 … and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. 3. Taste as fresh oil; wafer with honey – Ex. 16:31 and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

2. God’s Orders Concerning this LIFE SUSTAINING SUBSTANCE 1. Ex. 16:17 – 29 a. Gather an omer every morning 1 st – 6 th day of the week. b. NONE will appear the 7 th day. c. Can’t gather too much or too little – always “just right”

3. God’s Orders Concerning this LIFE SUSTAINING SUBSTANCE 2. Sustained Israel’s life for 40 years. They last ate of it when the “second generation” crossed Jordan and they ate of the corn of the land. Joshua 5:12 -- And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

4. GOD’S REAL PURPOSE FOR PROVIDING MANNA Exodus 16: 1 – 8 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

5. APPRECIATED … THEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED A. Did they notice the GIVER? 1. The SUN would melt it – yet they had to grind it and bake it to use it (Ex. 16: 22 – 23) 2. It was ALWAYS “just right” 3. The Golden Pot of Manna lasted throughout the time of the wilderness journeys. (Ex. 16:33; Heb. 9:4)

6. APPRECIATED … THEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED B. They grew tired of its LIFE SUSTAINING QUALITY 1. Numbers 11: 1 – 9 2. Numbers 21: 1 – 9 “we loath this light bread” C. Only the FAITHFUL valued it! 1. Deuteronomy 8: 1- 6 2. Exodus 16: 27 – 28 3. Hebrews 4: 1- 2

7. The Shadow and Image of the Lesson Romans 15:4 1.John 3: 14 – 15 -- And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 2. 1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 12

8. Jesus – OUR Bread of Life 1.John 6: 28 – 33 2.John 6: 34 -- Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. a. Their hunger was great; but not for SPIRITUAL food! b. John 6:33 -- For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

9. Jesus – OUR Bread of Life 3. Jesus – the SUSTAINING SUBSTANCE of our SPIRITUAL life! John 6: 35 – 40 There are requirements a. COME UNTO ME – Matt. 11: 28 – 30 b. BELIEVE ON ME – John 8:24 Note the purpose a. Gather those who come to Him b. Do ALL the Father’s will c. Lose none, but raise them up at the last day – Jude 1 d. Give ETERNAL life – John 10:10

10. As with the Manna, Some HATE this BREAD OF LIFE John 6: 52 -- The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? John 6: 53 – 58 John 6: 61 – 65 John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

11. Do WE accept this MANNA? WE are being PROVEN! This is the purpose: a. To save them that are lost! b. We cannot get to heaven without enduring and succeeding in this “test.” John 6: 67 - 69