Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 16:23-24 (New Living Translation)

23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”

24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.

Moses is passing along God’s instructions for the use of the manna. Manna was free food that simply appeared every morning in the wilderness. This is how God fed the people for 40 years.

Leftovers spoiled. If a person gathered too much manna and had leftovers for the next day, the leftovers would be inedible.

Leftovers didn’t spoil one day each week. The people were to gather double manna on the day before the Sabbath or the rest day. They would awaken on the Sabbath to leftovers that were really good. They didn’t even have to walk around and pick up food. It was right there.

Wait. Leftovers spoil six days a week, but are okay on the seventh day. Make sense? No, it didn’t make sense. It was a miracle.

Right there in front of everyone was a miracle on the seventh day of the week; a miracle every week. Wow!

Blah, blah, blah. So what? Same old thing every week for 40 years. So what?

Gosh. How did God tolerate these folks long ago? The miraculous power of God was right in front of them everyday and double every week. How could they act like we act today? Wait, is that right? Yes, we act the same way today.

Everyday the miracles of God are right in front of us. Blah, blah, blah. So what? So this is a big deal. Please God. Help me every morning to awaken with my eyes open to see your miracles and your blessings.