THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
When the provisions that the Israelites had gathered for their exodus from Egypt ran out, they began to experience hunger. Then, an extraordinary miracle occurred: instead of food originating from the ground, in accordance with the usual ways, nourishment descended from the heavens like dew.
It is significant to note that after they had crossed the sea and enjoyed refreshing waters, after resting among the springs and palm trees, and after having drunk from the rock, only then was the food from Egypt fully depleted. In their moment of want, when they had exhausted all foreign provisions, sustenance poured down from above. Though it appeared uniform in form, it was diverse in quality, designed to meet the varying desires of each individual.
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This teaches us an important lesson: one must undergo a purification process to rid oneself of the corrupt influences from Egypt, creating a void within the soul devoid of sinful sustenance. Only then can one, with a cleansed spirit, receive the heavenly nourishment that is not produced by agricultural means but is instead the ready-made bread from above, unblemished and unparented, which descends upon the earth.
By understanding the deeper significance of this narrative, one can grasp the true essence of what it means to partake of the bread that 'comes down from heaven' (John 6:33), realizing that it is not merely a spiritual abstraction. How can anything incorporeal provide nourishment to the body? The body of this bread has not been cultivated through plowing or sowing; the earth remains as it is while being filled with this Divine sustenance, available to all who hunger, revealing beforehand the mystery of the Virgin through this miracle. Thus, this unharvested bread represents the Word, which transforms according to the capacities of those who partake of it. It can serve not just as bread, but also as meat, vegetables, and any other nourishment that is fitting and desirable. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in his teachings, offering varied spiritual sustenance, turning his messages into substantial nourishment for the mature, restorative draughts for the weary, and nourishing milk for the infants (1 Corinthians 3:2).