15.2 Beside Restful Waters

Exodus 16.1 What is it?

The Israelites murmur once again against Moses and in their hunger and murmuring God provides the manna; but what is it? We look to the Psalms, Wisdom and the Fathers to gain insight into what this manna or manhu (Hb.) actually is. Lastly we look to the Gospel of John as Jesus tells us exactly what the manna was and is.

Matthew 15.2 Stomach or Heart?

Jesus explains what defiles a man and it is not what enters, but what comes out of man's mouth as that reveals what resides in his heart. We hear from St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome. We also look to Genesis and Acts of the Apostles in unpacking this saying to the Pharisees and Scribes who are offended by Jesus' speech. Jesus cautions the multitude about following those that are blind (do not understand) the Law of God.

15.2 Beside Restful Waters

The Song of Miriam is still echoing in the heads of the Hebrews, just after God rescues them from the Egyptian Army, so that Egypt never again threatens them again, and three days later, they murmur against Moses and God; again, now for the second time. They reach an oasis, but the waters are bitter and not drinkable. Moses cries to God and is shown a tree which Moses throws into the water to make it sweet. What are we to make of this? We hear from St. Ambrose, Tertullian, Origen, St. Jerome and Cyril of Alexandria for insight into these events.

Matthew 15.1 Jesus Closes a Loophole

Jesus heals the sick not just at Gennesaret, but the town's people brought others as well. We see from Jerome and Chrysostom that Jesus fame has spread to the surrounding area and apparently heard about the woman who was healed by simply touching the hem (fringe) of his garment. But as Jesus' fame is being spread to the surrounding area, His fame has apparently reached Jerusalem, for, "Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem..." They find the perverbale speck in the eye of the disciples, (not washing their hands) meanwhile transgressing the 4th commandment and thus missing the log in their own eye! Their duplicity of honoring God in their lips, while their deeds are full of malice.

Exodus 15.1 Hallelujah Yesuah!

The Israelites have crossed the Sea of Reeds and the Egyptian army is destroyed and seeing the enemies of Israel destroyed, compose a song of praise to God. We look at the original Hebrew language of key words to gain insight into the song itself. If we read this through the lens of the Church Fathers, we won't be surprised.