EXODUS 16
22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23 he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’” 24 So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.”27 On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. 28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 See! The Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. – Exodus 16:22-30
EXODUS 16 ON FOLLOWING THE SABBATH
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
After the Israelites were provided with their bread and meat,
Moses instructed the people not gather manna on the seventh day
The Lord wanted them to set aside the seventh day to rest and honor him
But the Israelites were stubborn and some didn’t stop gathering manna that day
Those who gathered on the seventh day didn’t find any manna
Since they were given extra on the sixth day, they were to rest on the Sabbath.
It amazes me how stubborn and disobedient God’s people were that time. We are no better because some of us also forget to follow and respect the Sabbath. It is a day for us to honor, thank and praise the Lord. He rested from creation on the seventh day and since we were made in his image, he wanted us to emulate what he did. Because of sin, it is hard for humans to give God the glory on our own, but if we walk in the Spirit and obey his commands, he will give us the ability to rest and set aside this one day of the week to praise the Lord who provides for all our needs.
REFLECTION
- Share some challenges you’ve had on respecting and honoring the Sabbath?
- Why do you think God requires this rest from work on this day?
