Wisdom 16:17-29: a reflection

17For, what was most marvelous, in the water which quenches all things, the fire burned hotter; for the world fights for the righteous. 18For at one time the flame was restrained, that it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly, but that these themselves as they looked might see that they were chased by the judgment of God. 19At another time even in the midst of water it burns more intensely than fire, that it may destroy the produce of an unrighteous land. 20Instead of these things, you gave your people angels’ food to eat, and you provided ready-to-eat bread for them from heaven without toil, having the virtue of every pleasant flavor, and agreeable to every taste. 21For your nature showed your sweetness toward your children, while that bread, serving the desire of the eater, changed itself according to every man’s choice. 22But snow and ice endured fire, and didn’t melt, that people might know that fire was destroying the fruits of the enemies, burning in the hail and flashing in the rains; 23and that this fire, again, in order that righteous people may be nourished, has even forgotten its own power. 24For the creation, ministering to you, its maker, strains its force against the unrighteous for punishment and in kindness, slackens it on behalf of those who trust in you. 25Therefore at that time also, converting itself into all forms, it ministered to your all-nourishing bounty, according to the desire of those who had need, 26that your children, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn that it is not the growth of crops that nourishes a man, but that your word preserves those who trust you. 27For that which was not destroyed by fire, melted away when it was simply warmed by a faint sunbeam, 28that it might be known that we must rise before the sun to give you thanks, and must pray to you at the dawning of the light; 29for the hope of the unthankful will melt as the winter’s hoar frost, and will flow away as water that has no use.

Reflecting on how God sustained his people in the wilderness, this passage draws a striking lesson from the manna. God fed his people with bread from heaven, provision they had not worked for; and the point, the passage says, was that they might learn that it is not the growth of crops that nourishes a person, but that God's word preserves those who trust him. Their daily bread came not from their own labor or from ordinary means, but directly from God, to teach them where their sustenance truly came from.

Notice the lesson: it is not the crops, but God's word, that nourishes and preserves. We are prone to think that our sustenance comes from ordinary means, from our work, from the crops that grow, from the systems that provide; and these are real. But behind them all is God, who provides, and on whom our life ultimately depends. The manna taught this by bypassing the ordinary means altogether: God fed them directly, so they would know that their life came from him, not merely from natural provision.

That is a truth worth remembering. We depend, day by day, on God for our sustenance, even when it comes through ordinary means; it is not finally the crops, or our work, or the systems around us, but God who preserves us. It is easy to forget this, to imagine that we live by our own provision. But we live by God's provision, and ultimately by his word. Do not trust only in ordinary means for your sustenance, as though your life depended on crops and work alone. Recognize that God is the true source of your life and provision, and depend on him, giving him thanks, as the passage says, rising early to thank him. It is not the crops that nourish you, but God who preserves those who trust him; trust him, and give him thanks for your daily bread.

Lord, this passage draws from the manna the lesson that it is not the growth of crops that nourishes a person, but that your word preserves those who trust you; you fed your people directly, bypassing ordinary means, so they would know their life came from you. Help me remember that truth. I am prone to think that my sustenance comes from ordinary means, from my work, from the crops that grow, from the systems that provide; and these are real. But behind them all is you, who provide, and on whom my life ultimately depends. I depend, day by day, on you for my sustenance, even when it comes through ordinary means; it is not finally the crops, or my work, but you who preserve me. Keep me from trusting only in ordinary means for my sustenance, as though my life depended on crops and work alone. Help me recognize that you are the true source of my life and provision, and depend on you, giving you thanks. It is not the crops that nourish me, but you who preserve those who trust you; help me trust you, and thank you for my daily bread.