The Same Heavens That Burned Sodom Rained Manna on Israel

"And the LORD said to Moses: Behold, I will rain down bread for you from the heavens" (Exodus 16:4). This is what Scripture says: "For by them He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance" (Job 36:31). These heavens — by them He judges the nations of the world. Know this for yourself: when the generation of the Flood sinned, He judged them by them, as it is said, "He will rain down snares upon the wicked" (Psalms 11:6). Thus, "For by them He judges the peoples." The men of Sodom, when they sinned, He judged them by the heavens, as it is said, "And the LORD rained down upon Sodom" (Genesis 19:24). Sisera too, when he sinned, He judged him by the heavens, as it is said, "From the heavens they fought" (Judges 5:20). By the heavens He judges the peoples. "He gives food in abundance" — from them He gave sustenance to Israel. To what is the matter comparable? To a baker who was standing at the oven. His enemy entered, and he raked out coals and placed them upon his head. His beloved one entered; he drew out hot bread and gave it to him — the coals and the bread, both of them came forth from the oven. So too the Holy One, blessed be He, brought fire down upon the Sodomites and burned them, and from the heavens He brought down manna for Israel, as it is said, "Behold, I will rain down bread for you" (Exodus 16:4).