It wasn’t long after leaving Egypt that Israel faced a major problem—how were they going to eat? Barely two weeks free, many people were ready to go back to Egypt. After all, even if they had been slaves, at least they had food to eat. But then God did something amazing—He rained bread heaven. This miraculous manna fed the nation until they finally entered Canaan.
In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses provides this commentary on the provision of manna: “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna…that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” God didn’t provide manna the first day Israel left Egypt. He let them understand their lack and their need and then see how God could provide. Are we open to learning from the hardship we face? Do our trials teach us to rely on the Lord?