What's This?

MAN-NA, translated from the Hebrew means, "What is this?" That's what the people said when they first beheld the strange provision. But, God had told Moses what it was... "Then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you."(Exodus 16:4 esv) So, there it is, Manna is bread from heaven.

But, what brought about this interesting miracle? Why was it necessary for God to feed his people in such a strange manner? What does the bible tell us about this substance? What was taking place in their lives that precipitated such dependance on the creator of heaven and earth to feed his people? What other miracles were occurring at the same time? What was the state of the relationship of Israel to his God? What, if anything, does this have to do with us?