SECTION TWO- The Prep Work
Scriptures: Exodus 16, Psalm 110:1-3 & John 6:30-51
Song of Praise: Doxology
Devotional:
When we read through harrowing tales of Old Testament heroes, we must search for the Gospel shadow cast upon it.
All of the Scriptures tell of God's redemption plan. Even the stories that might seem a little peculiar-like the one about bread falling from heaven.
"And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it? For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."
Exodus 16:14-15
"from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours."
Psalm 110:3b
"Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven"
John 6:32
These verses may seem to be disconnected.
After all, they are written by three different authors and roughly span about 1400 years.
However, all three of these scripture passages are referring to one great spiritual truth.
Jesus is the manna from heaven, given to us by God the Father.
God the Father sent the Israelites manna at dawn, in the dew, providing for their nourishment. Likewise, He sent Christ, who offers Himself as everlasting nourishment for the true Israel, the Church.
Manna was a Gospel shadow, pointing us to the feast of the Lord's Supper.
Jesus' body was broken for the benefit of His people, His bride, the Church.
Just a few paragraphs earlier in the text, God saved Israel by a mighty miracle.
Instead of being grateful, the Israelites continued to grumble against God...after all, they were hungry.
Thank goodness we do not act in such an ungrateful manner, right?
Hangry or not, Israel was never very great at faithfulness.
Do we meditate on the miracle of Christ's work of redemption? Do our hearts bend towards gratitude rather than discontentment?
Manna did not have a very long shelf-life, it would spoil after just one day; meaning, Israel could gather enough manna for just one day at a time.
Jesus is the reality symbolized by the manna in the desert; He is also the daily bread that we are promised.
Jesus' nourishment, once delivered upon the daily dew, was sufficient for the Israelites.
That providential dew ushered us into the morning of Christ's resurrection, where the full glory of Christ's provision was made manifest.
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Table Talk Questions:
How did God provide Israel's manna?
How long would Manna last?
How is Jesus better than Manna?
Meal: Chinese Pineapple Chicken with Rice, Roasted Broccoli, & Pineapple Orange Cake
Recipes:
Chinese Pineapple Chicken
Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour
Serves: 6
Chicken:
3 Chicken Breasts
2 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
1 Egg
¼ teaspoon Pepper
3 Tablespoon Flour
3 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Sauce:
1 cup Pineapple chunks save the juice
Pineapple juice from the can
¼ cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch + 1 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
Instructions:
In a bowl, cut 3 chicken breasts into bite size chunks.
Add soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and egg.
Cover and let marinate in fridge for at least 2 hours.
Add flour and cornstarch to chicken to create a thick batter.
Heat oil in large frying pan on medium high heat.
Add chicken and fry until chicken is browned, turning if necessary.
Remove chicken from oil onto a plate lined with paper towels.
In a medium saucepan, combine pineapples and pineapple juice.
Bring to a boil then add brown sugar, soy sauce, and simmer for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water into a paste. Add it to the sauce and allow the sauce to thicken.
Pour the cooked chicken pieces into saucepan and mix until thoroughly coated with the sauce.
Roasted Broccoli
Prep and Cook Time:30 minutes
Serves 6-8
1-2 Broccoli Crowns chopped
Olive Oil
2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper
Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 450 F.
On a sheet pan, toss broccoli with a drizzle of olive oil. Enough to barely coat the broccoli.
Spread the broccoli evenly on the surface of the pan. Sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper.
Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes and then turn the broccoli. Bake another 10-12 minutes or until the broccoli is starting to brown and get crispy.
Serve Hot.
Pineapple Orange Cake
Prep and Cook Time: about an hour + 1 hour to set
Serves: 12
Cake:
1 Yellow cake mix
11 ounce canned Mandarin Oranges (undrained)
4 egg whites
½ cup Applesauce
½ cup Sour Cream
Frosting:
8 ounce canned Crushed Pineapple (undrained)
1 package Vanilla Instant Pudding mix
8 ounce Cool Whip (thawed)
Instructions:
Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray your cake pans with non stick spray.
In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, oranges, egg whites, applesauce, and sour cream on low speed for two minutes.
Pour into 3- 8 inch cake pans or 9x13 baking dish.
Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool.
Frosting:
In a bowl, combine the pineapple and pudding mix.
Fold in whipped topping and mix well.
Spread over cake, If making layers, be sure to frost between each layer.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.