December 15

PART III.—Hebrews 9:4.

LET us now consider the way in which the manna was received and used. The place where it was to be obtained was "round about the camp." So Jesus is to be found in the ordinances of his house. He dwells in the midst of his church, and his church is to exhibit him, and hold him forth to a dying world. There, is his name recorded; there his word is read, and his gospel preached. The manna was to be gathered daily. So we must live by faith on the Son of God. Every day we must pray, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." For, without him, as the staff of our soul's life, we can do nothing. It was to be gathered early. Jesus and his salvation ought to be sought first, and principally, and all other things shall be added to us; and more especially as this is the "accepted time, and this the day of salvation." The manna might be gathered by all. There was no restriction, and no limitation. It was free to each, and to the whole. So Jesus is the Saviour of the world; and he came expressly to give his life for it, that through him the world might be saved. Let us now notice the manner in which the manna was to be used. It was to be ground in mills, and baked with fire, signifying that Jesus must needs suffer and die on our behalf, before we could have life and salvation in his name. Yes, he not only loved us, but also gave himself for us, and suffered, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. The manna was eaten. Manna around the camp, or even in their dwellings, could not sustain life. So Jesus must be personally known: we must feed upon his flesh, and drink his blood, or we cannot have spiritual life. And then we observe, finally, all the manna was to be eaten. Kept, and it became putrid. We, too, must receive a whole Saviour — Jesus, in all his offices, work, and benefits. He must be our prophet, priest, and king, our alpha and omega, our all and in all.