Good Morning.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. (Exodus 16:4-5)
On the sixth day — our Friday — the people of Israel were to gather twice as much of the manna as other days meaning they were given a double portion. In Hebrew this double portion of bread is known as lechem mishnah and is commemorated every Friday night when Jewish families gather for a meal. Typically, the Shabbat meal begins with partaking of special bread called challah which is baked especially for the occasion. In fact, two loaves are placed on the table so all will remember that, on the sixth day in the wilderness, the children of Israel were given bread for two days.
The Creator of the Universe supplied for them in this way so that they would not find it necessary to search for bread on the Sabbath. If He commanded that they were to abstain from labor on the Sabbath, then it was just and right to supply them their daily bread beforehand. Rabbinically, this is interpreted to say that God demonstrated to them and to future generations that observance of Shabbat does not impede a livelihood. In other words, He knows that we need to eat and make a living, and so, supplies our needs so that we will be sustained during the day we are commanded to rest.
Looking ahead prophetically, this double portion also hints at what will happen just before the Seventh Day which is to say, the Millennial Kingdom. Just before the Great Shabbat begins, should we not expect a double portion to rain down from Heaven? Should we not expect that our Father will give us the Word and measure of His Spirit we need to endure these last days just before the Messiah returns? If God saw to the needs of those in the past, which allowed for them to walk in obedience to Him, we can be confident that we will do the same for us. Let us then prepare ourselves for this greater outpouring and be committed to do what He has ordained for these last days.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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