An Omer of Manna


By: Companion Eric Thiem


In the Select Master Degree, we are informed of items of significance that are placed in the Ark of the Covenant to be discovered by future generations on their return from Babylon; or in the case of York Rite Masonry to be discovered previously in the Royal Arch Degree.

One of those items to be placed in the Ark is an omer of Manna. Doing research; one finds that an omer was an ancient unit of measurement, which is one tenth of an ephah, roughly equivalent to 1.5 to 2 quarts worth. Another definition is the amount of manna it would take to feed one over a period of time, roughly seven weeks or the time between Passover and Shavuot (1) .

The Old Testament describes manna as being a fine flake like bread that tasted like wafers that were made with honey. In Exodus 16:19-20, Moses instructs the Israelites not to keep the manna more than a day and when the Israelites disobeyed Moses and kept it and they discovered the manna to be full of maggots and have a pungent odor the following day.

While thinking about this literally, this would seem to be a strange thing to be preserved for future generations, as it would certainly not last and would likely ruin all other contents inside of the Ark of the Covenant.

Thinking on this, we can likely infer an omer of manna referring to something other than a physical food or grain. An omer of manna placed in the Ark could possibly be God’s way of telling us that we need to set aside a portion of our labors either physical or capital labor for future periods to help ourselves for if or when times become tough. An Omer of could also be a God’s pledge to the Israelites and his believers that he will provide information, relief and comfort to the soul in good times and in bad.

In addition to a pot of manna, God also instructs us in His word to place Aaron’s rod in the Ark of the Covenant during the Select Master Degree. We are introduced to Aaron’s rod in Numbers Chapter 17 when we are informed that the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel placed their staffs in front of the Ark of the Covenant. The day following, Aaron’s rod had budded, blossomed and bore the fruit of Almonds. Aaron’s rod was to be kept and placed inside the Ark of the Covenant as it was a sign from God the Israelites as a sign to the rebellious that they should end their grumbling against God so that they would not die.

Aaron’s rod is likely a symbol of God’s word to his believers and that God’s truth is irrefutable. It can also be inferred that Aaron’s rod is a symbol that faithful reliance on Him, the Ten Commandments and the lessons one can learn in the Bible will always bear the fruit that can nourish the body and the soul. Some believe that Aaron’s rod points Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

We also learn that the Book of the Law is also placed into the Ark of the Covenant as we should never lose sight of God’s covenant with us and that we should always be passing those lessons down to future generations as well as the newest initiates into York Rite Masonry in addition to future initiates.

The key that is inserted into the Book of the Law is a symbolic reminder that we have our own knowledge or “keys” that are known or inherent to us as Masons that the outside world is completely unaware of.

The lessons of the Ark of the Covenant and its contents also teach us about the danger of idolatry and a warning against placing anything or anyone above God, a timeless lesson about misplaced worship. The lessons of the Ark also teach us that holiness demands consequences for sin, especially grievous idolatry as what happened to the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt where they ended up worshiping a golden calf which resulted in the death of the non-believers at the hands of the Levites. The lessons from the Book of Exodus, the Select Master Degree and Royal Master Degree can also show the benefits of saving, or putting aside a portion of our precious resources today for our benefit and the benefit of future generations so that they may have a better life and more opportunities available to them than we had.

Hopefully this information and other information that individuals come up with will help make the Ark of the Covenant scenes in both the Select Master and Royal Arch degrees more relevant and meaningful in the future.

It has been a pleasure to present this article and other articles that I have written throughout the past year to you. Hopefully you have enjoyed them.

Special thanks to Past Grand Illustrious Master Jimmy Turner who provided me the idea for this education presentation and a portion of the material for this education.


Bibliography:

1) https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-count-the-omer/

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