It's not rocket science. The Hebrews are to collect one day's worth of manna, and trust that God will provide for the next day. Except on Friday, where they will collect two days worth of manna - because Saturday is a day of rest.
Sabbath means "stop". More specifically, it means to stop work so there is time to play and to be with the people who matter to us.
Rest? What a concept for a people who had only known slavery. What does a slave do on a day of rest? Who tells a slave what to do on a day of rest when there is no man standing over them with a whip?
Understandably, they are confused. Bread from heaven - all-you-can-it is too good to be true. And like us, they try to collect more than they need hoping to tuck some away for a rainy day. And when God gives them a day to rest, they show up for work anyways - perhaps out of habit, perhaps out of fear of punishment.
And apparently, the day of rest was so important to God that he "helps" them rest by not requiring them to gather food for the day. Furthermore, he provides for them the day before so they have everything they need to rest.
So the manna is not just the symbol of the way God takes care of his people, God's fresh provisions everyday . It is also about the way God provides so we can rest, so we can have a work-life balance.
And believing this takes faith - faith that God is not just tricking us, faith that God will supply what we need to skip a day of work, faith that God gives us the gift of a day each week to tend to things that put our bodies and spirits in a better state.
So God ask them to keep a jar of manna as a reminder of reliance, provisions, and rest.
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you experienced the way God supplies you with rest?
in your life presently, how rundown do you feel? In what ways you need rest? How has God provided for you to take rest - beginning with a Sabbath day?
Who do you know needs rest desperately?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the ways you rest. Thank God for the way he sanctions rest.
Pray about your need for rest presently. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to stop and rest - one day a week.
Pray for your friend who needs rest. Ask God to give you the opportunity to support your friend to stop work and worry.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he gives you rest, and time to re-create your body and spirit..