Your fathers did eat manna - There was a real miracle performed in their behalf; there was a perpetual interposition of God which showed that they were his chosen people.
And are dead - The bread which they ate could not save them from death. Though God interfered in their behalf, yet they died. We may learn,
- That that is not the most valuable of God’s gifts which merely satisfies the temporal wants.
- That the most distinguished temporal blessings will not save from death. Wealth, friends, food, raiment, will not preserve life.
- There is need of something better than mere earthly blessings; there is need of that bread which cometh down from heaven, and which giveth life to the world.