Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 16:29 (New Living Translation)

29 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.”

The people of the LORD were stuck out in a wilderness. There were a million of them (a low estimate) and they needed food. God put food on the ground every morning. On the sixth day of the week, God put double on the ground. They people were to pick up enough for the sixth day and also the seventh day. On the seventh day, they didn’t have to gather food. They could sleep in. They could sleep it!

Yet, large numbers of them rose on the seventh day and went out to pick up food.

God’s gift was one day of the week where the people could rest. The people tried to work that day. Hey, this is free day. Relax. Yet, the people couldn’t relax. They needed to set aside something for a rainy day. That makes sense, right? Nope. Wrong. God told them that they wouldn’t have a rainy day as long as they were faithful to God.

Hmm. Be faithful. No rainy days. Doesn’t make sense. Much of following God and the workings of God doesn’t make much sense to me. It makes sense to God, but not to me. That is difficult for me to accept. Please God, help me in my unbelief.