The Bread from Heaven – Exodus 16:4
Jul 9, 2026 4
What if the food that fell from the sky thousands of years ago still has the power to feed us today?
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you…’… The next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. ‘What is it?’ they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, ‘It is the food the LORD has given you to eat.’… The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers.” — Exodus 16:4, 13–15, 31 (NLT)
As we continue our journey through Scripture seeking to see Jesus more clearly, we come to God’s people wandering through the wilderness. They had been rescued from slavery in Egypt, but now they faced a new problem. There was no food. Once again, God provided exactly what they needed.
When God’s people cried out in their hunger and distress, the God of all compassion heard them. Each morning, He rained bread from heaven for them to gather. There was abundant provision for everyone, and each person could gather exactly what they needed for that day. But God instructed them not to keep it until morning. Instead, He was teaching them to trust His faithful provision day by day.
Centuries later, Jesus revealed that the manna had been pointing to Him all along. He is the true Bread from heaven, the living Word who came down to give life to the world. Through Him we receive life today and eternal life forever. Just as the Israelites gathered fresh manna each morning, we too are invited to come to Jesus every day, feeding on His Word and finding fresh grace, strength and hope.
Jesus declared, “The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.” (John 6:33, 35, NLT)
As we feed on Jesus through His Word, our souls are nourished. He alone satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. And just as Israel could not live today on yesterday’s manna, neither can we live on yesterday’s experience of Jesus. Every morning, He invites us to come to Him afresh, and every morning, He proves Himself to be enough.
How about us? Where are we looking to satisfy our deepest hunger? Achievement? Success? Relationships? Entertainment? Religion? All of these leave us wanting more. Only Jesus truly satisfies.
The Good News is…
And the good news is that the manna helps us see Jesus clearly. God has not only given us bread for today—He has given us the true Bread from heaven who satisfies our deepest hunger and gives eternal life to everyone who comes to Him.
Further reading: Exodus 16:1–36; John 6:30–35; John 6:48–51
Elenne Ford
Chair, Good News Unlimited