The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-05
July 6, 19O2-Exodus xvi, 4-15-The
Giving of Manna.
THE sUNDAY-sCHoOL LESSON.

VI -
Giving OF Mamma.
That march OF my~stery-Israel's journey
through the wilderness has been aptly called
so. A desert anywhere has a fascinating weird
ness all its own. The absence OF shade. water,
and life make 1t almost a phantom place. X
has a singular effect OF unreality. In these
characteristics the Sinaitic peninsula perhaps
surpasses all others. No wonder the Hebrews
called 1t great and terrible. and a bowling will
derness.
Such unnatural environment cannot fail 10
have its powerful influence upon the human
mind. The traveller over that route to-day. with
all modern facilities and safeguards. yet feels
the subtle influence OF the place. He can APP
preciate, to some extent. the depressing sensa-
ton OF the caravan nation as it experienced
what has been called its weird adventure. In
addition to these physical discomforts was the
fear OF enemies. Powerful hostile tribes. used
to the desert, surrounded them. and they were
still haunted with the apprehension OF a pur-
suit by Pharaoh. The commissariat problem
was also deep and urgent. Under most favor
able conditions the provisioning OF such an
enigrant host would have taxed an expert quar-
termaster general. But the exegenciss OF this
case make IT the most remarkable OF its kind
In history. For the people in such an environ
ment not to have ''murmured' would have been
unnatural. When the subtle effect of the physi-
cal scenery, the imminence OF attack, and the
scantiness of provisions are all taken into con-
sideration. the repining Is not a surprise. Yet,
in view OF the wonders God had done in Egypt.
and even already in the wilderness. the faith
of the Hebrews should have been more buoy
ant.
Yet fear is catching 1t is the very worst
of epidemics. In the shortest possible time the
whole nation was innoculated. As always hap
pens under such conditions, the people very much
overrated their past advantages. So We find
them signing for the hesh-pots and bread Of
Egypt. AS also happens, they moderated past
evils. The bitterness of the bondage was soft
ened by the happy release from it. They had
almost forgotten the sound of the taskmaster's
lash. Their lamentation reached its very low
est note when they regretted that they them
selves had not suffered the last plague of Egypt
and died by the Lords hand. And so the whole
congregation OF the children Of Israel muir
INJURED against Moses and Aaron in the wilder
ness.
This melancholy stampede was a real disgrace.
Had they taken time to calmly consider. they
would have found ground for hope. The situa-
ton was really not extreme. The Hebrews had
brought with them large focks and herds. They
must have found pasture, as there is no ac-
count of their cattle dying on their hands. From
this source they would derive milk. butter and
cheese. And though it was not the custom
OF these nOnlaQS 10 Kill SlOch. except 20 nos
pitality, yet, in emergency, they could have flesh
for food. and that. too. without diminishing
their herds, using only the natural increase.
Other large tribes found sufficient means Of sub
sistence in that very locality. There are spots
even to-day. in that very desert, where the Be
douin still sow and reap. Again, the Israelites
could supply many wants by purchase from pass
ing caravans. Even If they should come 10 GER
tain districts and there should be som seasons
when natural resources were insufficient, or
even failed. it would do them no harm to go
on half rations for a while. Again. the sequel
shows that they were not to be always wander
ing about. They remained months. and even
years. in certain localities. So ruling out the
miraculous element entirely, the real situation
OF those emigrants was far from desperate.
The kind forbearance and longsunering pa
thence Of God have a remarkable exampls in
this instance. A gracious redress of the peo-
pies grievance is Immediately promised. The
last word of the peoples complaint is hunger
Gods first word in reply is, Il will rain bread
from heaven"
With reference to the nature and origin of
mama, II will be found best 10 take the middle
course between the badly literal and the 'em-
bellishments of wonder-Ioving legends" There
is In this very locality a natural product still
called mamma by the Arabs. 1t oozes and dis
tills from the tsrfa tree, a species of tamarlsk.
| IL AAuSL 70 hEAyl1 AAA6 70 ODAl
then is it found in a coagulated state. 1t dis
solves as soon as the sun shines on II. This
undoubted natural product seems TO be the physi-
cal basis of one Of the surprising means Of sus-
tenance of the wilderness. How far it may have
been idealized by a grateful memory IT is hard
to say.
Keil's profound words are worthy Of all at
tention when he says; This bread OF heaven
was the production and gift OF the grace OF
God hicA N al a+,,ra NTH iz 1--1- -
productions, and so applies them 10 the purposes
Of salvation as to create out OF that which is
natural something altogether new. which sur
passes the ordinary productions Of nature, both
in quality and quantity. as far as the kingdom
Of nature is surpassed by the kingdom Of grace
and glory"
THE
The |inutility and moral ugliness OF the grum-
bling habit has Its historic illustration In the
wilderness life of Israel. Fault-hnding becomes
an end in itself when persisted in. Nothing
comes of it except an unlovely and ENJOYABLE
disposition. 1t is reckless in its use Of language.
so that it has passed to a proverb that COM
planners do not weigh their words.
There is a fault-hnding. however. which Is
admirable. 1t has the noble quality OF moral
earnestness. 1t has a definite end in view. II
seeks the correction OF existing evils. With
one hand it points to the high ideal; with the
other, TO the low reality. This is the fault-hnd-
ing Of the reformer. This was one function
of the prophets of Israel. 1t is the high calling
of present-day reform.
Moses was admirably equipped for the cap
taincy OF the pilgrim nation in the wilderness
He had had forty years discipline in desert
life. He knew. by personal experience. the
emergencies and dangers. and how 10 avoid or
signed this charge, because OF Ill health.
apH fS halioxad 70 hnya hoou vnontan,- -