Once the Israelites had entered the Promised Land, what happened in the days after they had celebrated the Passover?

After the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and celebrated the Passover, they experienced a significant turning point in their journey — God ceased the miraculous supply of manna that had sustained them for forty years in the wilderness. This moment marked not just the end of their desert pilgrimage but also the beginning of a joyful and bountiful new chapter in Israel's history.

Imagine that: after four decades of dealing with daily reliance on a mysterious food, the Israelites finally tasted the fresh fruits and grains of Canaan! They broke bread made from the land’s generous harvest, feeling the earth’s promise come to life through flavors and sustenance. It must’ve been a deeply satisfying moment. The land was fruitful, which echoes the Covenant made with Abraham — a promise of not just a land for the Israelites, but a rich and abundant one.

In terms of trivia, consider that Exodus mentions manna as a unique “heavenly” food, resembling coriander seed and tasting like honey wafers (Exodus 16:31). Transitioning from divine provision to earthly produce connects the Israelites more directly to the land, urging them to cultivate and take part in local agriculture.

Additionally, in the New Testament, this theme of fulfilled provision is paralleled in the bread metaphor used by Jesus, connecting the supernatural sustenance of the past with earthly bread shared at the Last Supper. This continuity in the story speaks to a wider theological significance of commitment and ownership of land and resources, forging an even deeper connection between the people and God’s promise.