September 2, 2010 – Exodus 16

First, it appears that this chapter is more of a section about manna and could be placed anywhere.  It does not necessarily appear chronologically.  2 reasons I say this is the end talks about them eating the manna for 40 years.  We haven’t had God tell the people that they will be in the desert 40 years.  So, the author is describing this for us as a past event and assuming we already know what happens after this.  Secondly, they place the urn of manna in front of the ten commandments, which they haven’t been given yet.  Later, the urn will go inside the ark with the ten commandments.

I like how God makes it so that they do not have to do work on the Sabbath.  We often think about not working on the Sabbath as something me must do or choose by forcing ourselves not to do something.  Maybe if we step back and see exactly what God is taking out of our lives or giving to us at other times so that He is making it easier for us to rest.  A silly example, but one that could happen.  You go out to eat Sat. night and the portions are bigger than you thought.  So, you are able to take leftovers home and do not have to make lunch for yourselves Sunday.  If that has ever happened to you, have you ever stopped to thank God for helping you keep your rest on the Sabbath.  With that in mind, try to think what you can do Sat. to make things easier Sunday so that you can better keep the Lord’s Day Holy.