start the reader on the right path as he carries his investigation further

into the question, 'What is man?'

Manna.  The naturalistic explanation of the manna that fell in the wilderness

refers it to an exudation from a tamarisk tree indigenous to Sinai.  These

trees exude a peculiar resinous secretion which is about the same shape and

size as a coriander seed.  Over against this 'explanation' of the miracle of

the manna recorded in Exodus 16, we give the comments of a learned and most

judicious Jewish interpreter, Abarbinel:

The natural manna was never found in the desert where this fell -

- where the common manna does fall, it is only in the spring time, in

March and April, whereas this fell throughout all the months of the

The ordinary manna does not melt in the sun, as this did.

It does not stink and breed worms, as this did, when kept till

the morning.

It cannot be ground, or beaten in a mortar, so as to make cakes,

as this was.

The common manna is medicinal and purgative, and cannot be used

for food and nutriment, as this was.

This fell in double proportions on the sixth day, and not on the

sabbath, as it certainly would have done had it fallen naturally.

It followed them in all their journeys, wherever they pitched

their tents.

And it ceased at the very time of the year when the other falls,

namely in March, when Israel were come to Gilgal.

Whatever this substance was, it does not appear to have been

common to the wilderness.  From Deuteronomy 8:3,16, it is evident that

the Israelites never saw it before, and from a pot of it being

preserved, it is certain that nothing of the kind ever appeared again

(Treasury of Scripture knowledge, S. Bagster and Sons Ltd.).

'There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ

Jesus' (1 Tim. 2:5).

The unity of the Godhead is a fundamental doctrine of all Scripture,

and is in nowise disturbed or invalidated by the revelation that the selfsame

Scriptures teach that both the Father and the Son in their own right have

full title to the name 'God'.  The doctrine 'there is one God' is never

discussed or enlarged upon in the New Testament.  Where the theme is

introduced, it is brought to confirm some argument that is in process of

development, but the doctrine itself is never made a subject of revelation.

There are seven such passages in the epistles, two in the Gospel of Mark, and

one all covering reference in John.  It will clear the way for fuller

understanding if these ten references are considered.