Introduction
The picture shows a model of the Ark, where the lid has been removed so you can see the contents that fit inside the Ark:
1. The two stone tablets of the Law.
2. Aaron’s rod that budded.
3. The golden pot of ‘hidden’ manna.
Together these three items form the Testimony, Exodus 25:21, hence the Ark is called the Ark of the Testimony.
The Golden Pot of ‘Hidden’ Manna Manna was the food that came down from God to feed the children of Israel daily in the wilderness for the forty years of their journey to Canaan. It was given to the children of Israel in such a way that it required them to develop self-discipline. Manna only came in the early morning with the dew, Exodus 16:13-14.
By the time the sun was up, it would have evaporated, Exodus 16:21. It had to be gathered every day, any residue would breed worms and smell, Exodus 16:20, and they had to gather a double portion on the sixth day because none would fall on the Sabbath, Exodus 16:22-27.
It was called ‘Manna’ because that is Hebrew for ‘what is it’. It looked like white coriander seed and tasted like wafer biscuits made with honey, Exodus 16:31.
The Lord commanded Moses to fill an omer vessel with Manna and keep it for a memorial to future generations of how God fed them in the wilderness, Exodus 16:32-33. This is the Golden Pot of Hidden Manna in the Tabernacle.
Now, it is obvious that if Manna was kept for longer than a day, or two days, if it was a Sabbath, then the Manna would breed worms and smell. Why then try to keep it as a memorial to future generations?
The key is the Golden Pot
The Golden Pot would last for ever. It is round, indicating eternal; it is gold, indicating ‘of God, divine’. The Golden Pot indicates eternal life. Our life needs to be ‘hidden with Christ in God’ Colossians 3:3 and we need to know ‘Christ our life’, eternal life Colossians 3:4.
The Hidden Manna was a memorial of how the Lord had sustained His people in an impossible situation. Christ is real and applicable to every person of every age in every circumstance.
