““…They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.””  - Exodus 16:29

When crisis hits, time stops. The few times our family has been walloped by life I’ve been in awe of the way we have to move our calendar to day-by-day survival and, for a bit anyway, put long-term plans on hold.

The Israelites lived that exhausting short-term lifestyle for 40 years. By Exodus chapter 16, the Israelites had been saved from slavery by God and had experienced several miracles. However, now they were hungry! God heard their cry and agreed to supply food for the people via a bread-like substance that rained from the sky called manna. The stipulation was they were only to gather enough food for one day and trust that there would be a repeat miracle the next morning, with one manna-round up exception. On the sixth day of the week, they were allowed to gather enough food for that day AND the seventh. 

Put yourself in their sandals for a minute. Every morning the Israelites had to gather their daily portion, and every night they went to bed with an empty pantry. Imagine if your bank account was completely empty every night, with an envelope in the morning informing you of a deposit containing the exact amount you’d need for that day. This was hardcore dependance.

The Israelites were literally living hand-to-mouth every day. Every day except one, that is. On Saturday night they went to bed with a full cupboard, knowing there was food ready for the next day. One night, as a gift, the food would be there for them in advance.

The God of creation had it covered.

This Sabbath command to rest, to not gather manna, would continue into the Israelite’s future with the fourth commandment. Sabbath wasn’t just about manna. It was about honoring God as provider. This was about remembering who’s in charge. 

We have understood this rest thing wrong, friends. If you’re like me, taking a “sabbath” involves intentionally leaving work alone and maybe even a holy nap. Unfortunately, though, this becomes a ritual or a habit without meaning or consequence.

For me to follow a made-up rest-rule and then proceed to fret about my kids/work/relationships/money… I’m missing the point of Sabbath. My worries speak volumes about who is on the throne in my life.

Instead, what if on Sunday morning we breathed deep knowing the provisions we need for all our concerns were already in the pantry? What if we joyfully praised God on the throne for mercifully taking care of His people? What if we rested our hearts and not just our bodies?

Because nothing has changed. God really does have it covered.