The answer is: God stopped providing manna

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

After the Israelites crossed into Canaan, it was a monumental moment that marked a transition from reliance on divine provision to a new era of settlement. The text in Joshua 5:12 is particularly revealing: once they celebrated Passover, they began to eat the locally grown food—an important shift as it underscored their arrival in the land flowing with milk and honey. Gone were the days of wandering and receiving manna—a miraculous bread from heaven.

It's fascinating to note that this wasn’t just about food; it symbolized their new identity. Manna had served them for 40 years while they wandered in the desert, but now they were called to cultivate and nurture their own crops and herds in this abundant land. This can be seen as an echo of the journey from dependence to autonomy—a theme found throughout the scriptures that encourages people to take responsibility and embrace their future.

Trivia time! The production of food in the land also resonated within Israelite agriculture—an engagement with Earth that was vital to their survival and culture. In fact, the Israelites divided the land portions among tribes, showing sociopolitical organization. Moreover, this moment set a precedent for thanksgiving and observing feasts in agriculture—a tradition that would carry into later cultures and spiritual practices.

This shift away from divine manna invites reflection on the continuity of spiritual sustenance: what we rely on shifts, but growth often requires us to actively engage with our surroundings and society. Life, much like farming, takes work, and it's what we glean from our experiences in community that truly sustains us.