Exodus 16-18
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”
Exodus 16:4-5
The LORD’s sending of manna, the bread from heaven, is simultaneously at least three things:
- Provision for the Israelites’ physical needs
- A response to the Israelites’ grumbling
- A test of the Israelites’ obedience
The people of Israel have just left Egypt, and they are on the move. They have livestock with them, but they have no stores of grain and no ongoing agricultural pursuits (obviously), so food is an understandable concern. But do the people contentedly trust that the LORD will provide? No, they grumble against Moses and Aaron — not the first time, and not the last. Their grumbling against Moses is really misdirected; they are really grumbling against the LORD and putting Him to the test.
The LORD, of course, needs no testing. He is faithful. He knows their need and meets it by giving them manna to eat, a fresh provision every day. He gives exactly enough each day, with a double portion on the day before the Sabbath (i.e., on Friday), so that the people can rest on the Sabbath (i.e., on Saturday).
This daily distribution then becomes a test of obedience for the people. There are two basic rules:
- Except on Friday, don’t try to save any manna for the next day (out of fear that the next day’s portion won’t come); instead, eat your fill and be satisfied (even on Friday)
- On the Sabbath, rest; don’t try to gather any manna then
Naturally, the Israelites fail on both counts: they try to keep back a little extra manna “just in case”, which then just rots; and they just can’t seem to rest on the Sabbath. Do the Israelites learn to follow these simple rules after just the first week or two? Perhaps. It doesn’t clearly say. But I doubt it…
Before we all start snickering at the Israelites for failing to follow the simplest of rules for the manna, let me ask just one question: How truly restful is your Sabbath Day each week?
The key factor for obedience in handling the manna is faith. And faith is the key factor for us as well. Do I truly believe that the LORD will do what He says and provide for me daily? Not just today, but tomorrow, too? Do I trust that His provision is sufficient that I can take one day a week off, without worrying about “getting it all done”? And in trusting Him, do I then enjoy his provision, returning thanks to Him for all He gives?