Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-23
Providential Provisions.

The tested soul 10 often unconscious OF
Gods plans and program during the
period Of trial. Amidst all the testings OF
life that we are called upon to endure
we can always depend upon His seeking
to better our spiritual life. All life is .
test by which we are being proven. We
make a great mistake IL we think that
poverty and peril are the only tests OF
spiritual strength. Prosperity is also a
test OF the state OF the soul. It Is as a
rule the evidence OF spiritual weakness.
Many souls could not stand the strain
OF great trials that God uses in molding
heroic characters. They would be crush
ed by the strong blows that He finds
necessary to develop strong and spiritual
men.
The providential provision of quail
and mama supplied their need for
food. even to the craving for sweets.
for the mama tasted like honey. The
miraculous work Of God is the only
sufficient explanation of how the daily
diet was provided during the forty
years wanderings in the wilderness.
The quail during their migratory
flights could have been driven by the
winds to the camp Of the Israelites at
night. but only miracle could have
sent them there every night for forty
years. Some have found in the mama
that came with the morning dew for
six days and failed upon the seventh a
close resemblance to some of the nat
ural products of the wilderness. 1t
looked like the gum Of the tamarisk,
but that is a drug and not food. that
subject to corruption. while the man.
ma, except on the Sabbath. could not be
kept longer than a day.
When God in accordance with His
promise gave them bread from heaven
1t was a subject of mystery, for they
said to one another, Mama, or what
Is it, The gift of our daily bread is
also full OF mystery. Israel did not re-
ceive the food without some personal
effort for they were required to gather
and prepare the mamma. In like manner
God continues to supply His people
with daily food. Too often. because we
are compelled for our own good to put
forth some personal effort to secure
ings OF life are from above. which
truth the late Maltbie d. Babcock
teaches ALL not those alone who pray
Give us this day our daily bread" but
all who are the subject Of the Fathers
love and care. in words that grow in
meaning as We recall them:
Back Of the loaf is the snowy -four.
And back of the nonr the mill.
And hack Of the mill is the wheat and the
And the sun and the Fathers will.r
Gods provision was sufficient to sun
ply the needs of all. He saw to il that
the feeble did not suffer because hs
checked the selfish spirit of the strong.
who found after he had gathered mora
than he needed to supply his daily needs
mat what he attempted to hoard lp for
his own use became corrupted. This is
still the law of His kingdom There
should not be any want in this world at
least that hurts. The moment the news
OF distress due to famine. flood or fire
reaches men that have abundance the
world witnesses the manner by which to-
day God supplies the needs of humanity,
for He fills men with the spirit Of the
Christ. SO that out of the abundance of
their possessions they are led to supply
the needs of their suffering brothers.
II we should all live up to the teach
fngs OF our Lord by sharing with those
that are In need. there would be no want
among men, certainly not among those
God.
s The appointment OF the Sabbath rest
before the enactment Of the law at
Mount Sinai points to the observance of
the Sabbath before the giving OF the
Mosaic law. The records OF earlier civil
lizations and countries, that have been
unearthed by the explorers spade In
the east. show that the Sabbath was OBJ
served among them. The statement of
science and the testimony Of experience
o. on h Hoi ,HoHy Win tne require
ments OF the Scriptures for the proper
Of the Sabbath.
The giving of the mama was SYM
boiical Of the giftChrist as the bread
Of life. McEwen. in his book on types.
has pointed out ten different points OF
that are worthy of study
and serious consideration. 1t fell from
heaven. each collected his own. which
was shared by all Israel. divided equal
ly among all and personally prepared
by each individual In mills. mortars and
pans It had rich and sweet taste, like
honey, and 1t became corrupted If it was
boarded up for self. It was despised by
the multitude, preserved in a holy place.
While It lasted throughout the Pilgrim
age, 1t ceased when they tasted the
fruits Of Canaan. It served their need
and at the same time pointed toward
Christ who said. Il am the bread OF
HE" .1,.-,----.-,---.-----.-