Biblical Context:
The gathering and storing of manna is a significant event in the history of the Israelites during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. This miraculous provision from God is detailed primarily in the book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 16. Manna served as the primary sustenance for the Israelites during their 40-year sojourn in the desert.

Description of Manna:
Manna is described in the Bible as a small, round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. It appeared each morning after the dew evaporated. The Israelites were instructed to gather it daily, with specific guidelines provided by God through Moses. The appearance and taste of manna are further described in Exodus 16:31: "Now the house of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey" .

Instructions for Gathering:
God commanded the Israelites to gather an omer per person each day, ensuring that everyone had enough to eat. The gathering of manna was a test of obedience and trust in God's provision. Exodus 16:16-18 states: "This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’ So the Israelites did this. Some gathered more, and some less. When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. Each one gathered as much as he needed" .

Prohibition Against Hoarding:
The Israelites were instructed not to keep any manna until the next morning, except on the sixth day. Any attempt to hoard manna resulted in it becoming foul and filled with maggots, as described in Exodus 16:19-20: "Then Moses said to them, 'No one may keep any of it until morning.' But they did not listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it became full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them" .

Sabbath Observance:
A unique aspect of manna gathering was the preparation for the Sabbath. On the sixth day, the Israelites were instructed to gather twice as much, as no manna would appear on the seventh day, the Sabbath. This instruction emphasized the importance of rest and reliance on God's provision. Exodus 16:23-24 records: "He told them, 'This is what the LORD has said: “Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil, then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.”' So they set it aside until morning as Moses had commanded, and it did not smell or contain any maggots" .

Symbolism and Significance:
Manna is often seen as a symbol of God's faithfulness and provision. It taught the Israelites to depend on God daily and trust in His timing and methods. The daily gathering of manna was a tangible reminder of God's presence and care. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "bread of life," drawing a parallel between the manna provided in the wilderness and His own role as the spiritual sustenance for believers (John 6:31-35).

Preservation of Manna:
As a testimony to future generations, God commanded that an omer of manna be kept in a jar and placed before the Testimony. This was to remind the Israelites of God's provision during their journey. Exodus 16:32-34 states: "Moses said, 'This is what the LORD has commanded: “Keep an omer of manna for the generations to come, so that they may see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.”' So Moses told Aaron, 'Take a jar and fill it with an omer of manna. Then place it before the LORD to be preserved for the generations to come.' And Aaron placed it in front of the Testimony, to be preserved, just as the LORD had commanded Moses" .