The answer is: God stopped providing manna

Josh 5:12 - Now they enjoyed the produce of the land.

When the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, they transitioned from a life of wandering in the wilderness to one of settling and farming, which was a significant turning point! The cessation of manna signified not just the end of their nomadic lifestyle but also an invitation into abundance. Picture this: 40 years of flaky bread coming down from heaven, now overruled by the hearty grains and fruits of Canaan!

This shift was not merely physical but emblematic of a deeper arrival—God’s promises were being fulfilled, illustrating how health, nourishment, and sustainability came from communion with the land and its Creator. The “produce of the land” includes everything from barley to pomegranates, and it connects to several prophetic visions of prosperity found throughout Scripture, reminding readers of God’s faithfulness.

Jewish tradition also infers that the springtime harvest celebrated during Passover symbolizes new beginnings, much like the freshness of life after winter. This time in Israel also marks alignment with the feasts of the harvest—they weren’t solely leaving captivity; they were stepping into communities that celebrated relationships, food, and nurturing the seeds they planted physically and spiritually.

In understanding that this divine end of manna bolstered their self-sufficiency, one can see a sprinkle of historical echoes in everywhere—from the ninth-century agricultural advancements in the Fertile Crescent to Renaissance revival gardens—manifesting the divine principles honoring the Earth’s bountiful gifts! What a kickoff to a new chapter in faith and cultivation!