Missing Out on the Promises of God
Exodus 16:27-30: "On the seventh day some of the people went to gather, but they found none. And the Lord said to Moses, 'How long with you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? See! The Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore, on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.' So, the people rested on the seventh day."
The Lord told the nation of Israel that obeying him would lead to their healing (See Exodus 15:26). The Lord's desire was to see his people flourish in the promised land, to live as his chosen people, and to display his glory throughout the world. God's commands were there to instruct the nation of Israel in how to find this life in the promised land. The commands were given to bless and protect the people.
One of the commands the Lord gave to the nation of Israel was to honor the Sabbath day. Every day the Israelites were to gather just enough manna for that one day. On the sixth day, they were to gather enough for two days. While leftover manna would rot any other day of the week, God preserved the manna for the Sabbath day. The Lord taught the Israelites daily dependence. Every day is a gift and a gracious provision.
The Sabbath is God's gift to mankind and a weekly reminder that God is the great provider for his people. Observing the Sabbath is mankind's reception and appreciation of that gift. Why were the Israelites so slow to listen and to obey? Why are we? As we see the struggles of the Israelites, we will see ourselves and our struggles. God is offering us good gifts. Just as he asks the nation of Israel to listen and obey, so he asks us to do the same today.
Reflection:
The Israelites missed the perfect provision of the Lord because of their disobedience. What does that look like in your life today? What would the Lord have you do so that you may experience the fullness of his blessings and protection as a daily dependence on him?
The Lord told the nation of Israel that obeying him would lead to their healing (See Exodus 15:26). The Lord's desire was to see his people flourish in the promised land, to live as his chosen people, and to display his glory throughout the world. God's commands were there to instruct the nation of Israel in how to find this life in the promised land. The commands were given to bless and protect the people.
One of the commands the Lord gave to the nation of Israel was to honor the Sabbath day. Every day the Israelites were to gather just enough manna for that one day. On the sixth day, they were to gather enough for two days. While leftover manna would rot any other day of the week, God preserved the manna for the Sabbath day. The Lord taught the Israelites daily dependence. Every day is a gift and a gracious provision.
The Sabbath is God's gift to mankind and a weekly reminder that God is the great provider for his people. Observing the Sabbath is mankind's reception and appreciation of that gift. Why were the Israelites so slow to listen and to obey? Why are we? As we see the struggles of the Israelites, we will see ourselves and our struggles. God is offering us good gifts. Just as he asks the nation of Israel to listen and obey, so he asks us to do the same today.
Reflection:
The Israelites missed the perfect provision of the Lord because of their disobedience. What does that look like in your life today? What would the Lord have you do so that you may experience the fullness of his blessings and protection as a daily dependence on him?
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