May 7

"And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan." — Exodus 16:35.

IT is highly interesting and instructive to trace the resemblance that exists between the types and figures of the ceremonial dispensation, and Jesus the great antitype; the Old and New Testament must therefore be read in connection, as tending to throw a light on each other. Let us once more consider the manna as typical of Christ.

IN ITS FREENESS. It was sent that all the Israelites might avail themselves of it, and have their hunger satisfied; it was free for all, and given without reserve. Will not this apply to the spiritual manna? Who will limit the operations of God's grace? Christ must be exhibited to all in the Gospel, because all need him, all must perish without him, all are welcome to him.

IN ITS GATHERING. Every man was to gather according to his eating. So Christ must be embraced; there must be a going forth after him, and a reception of his spiritual benefits. Its being daily gathered, denotes our continual coming to Christ; its being collected in the morning, the importance of an early dedication to him; and its being found without the camp, our retirement from the busy scenes of the world, and even domestic intercourse, to commune with the Redeemer.

IN THE TIME OF ITS CONTINUANCE. It was given to them during the time of their journey in the wilderness, forty years. This was emblematical of the continual provision God makes for the spiritual wants of his people. Year after year the heavenly bread descends; you may gather it in his word, in his house, and in his ordinances; and while you have a spiritual appetite, you need not fear a spiritual famine.

IN THE PERIOD OF ITS CEASING. It did not cease falling till the wandering tribes had reached the promised rest. When they tasted the food of Canaan, then the supply of manna was stopped; and when the Christian pilgrim comes to the termination of his journey, and obtains the end of his faith, then the means of grace may be dispensed with. The scaffold is taken down when the building is finished; and the sails are lowered when the ship has come safe to shore; so there shall be a cessation of divine ordinances, when the ultimate designs of God are accomplished in your perfect bliss, and you eat of the hidden manna above. God commanded Moses to preserve it in a golden pot, and deposit it in the ark of the testimony as a memorial of his goodness in future generations; so those who have experienced the sweetness of Christ should tell it to others, even to the generations following. As the manna was despised, so now is the heavenly food. Let us pray,

"Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more."