Exodus 16:36

An Ephah being 10 times as much in measure as an Omer, must contain nearly 50 pints English.

REFLECTIONS

My soul! learn in Israel's history what the Israel of God, more or less, hath been, in all ages. We left them in the former chapter sitting under their palm trees, and blessing God in their fruitful wells of water. But, when brought for a moment only into a wilderness state, a little disappointment soon produceth murmuring, Oh, my God! pardon thy servant in this also. How often have I repined, and dared to think hardly of God, when like Israel he had only been leading me into the wilderness, to speak comfortably to me there; when difficulties have been induced, perhaps with no other view than but to afford the better opportunity to magnify the Lord's graciousness. Lord! grant that past experiences may afford strength for grace in full exercise, to rely upon thy future assurances. And wherever most straitened, and shut up in creature confidence, may divine faithfulness be then sweetest to my heart. Thou hast promised, and that's enough: Bread shall be given, water shall be sure: and my defense shall be the munition of rocks.

But chiefly in this chapter, in the view of Israel's food, and the manna sent them from heaven, Lord give me grace to behold thee, thou heavenly manna, thou true bread of life, which art thy Father's gift to the famished souls of poor sinners. Lord, in direct defiance of all my murmuring and sinful thoughts, oh! do thou descend, as thou art in thyself pure, holy, and precious, new and renewing me every morning. And while the Holy Spirit is unfolding thee to my view as the Father's gracious gift, and exciting an increasing appetite after thee to be filled, do thou grant that I may so feed on thy body broken, and thy blood shed, that I may live by thee. Let not my portion be like some of the unbelieving Israelites, who tempted Christ, and with whom he was not pleased: but may it be my happiness to know by an heart-felt experience, that thou art the bread of life which came down from heaven, of which, whosoever eateth shall live forever. Lord, evermore give me this bread!