It was on this day that Israel collected a lechem mishnah or “double portion” for the first time, as recorded in Exodus 16:
And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’” So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it.
They had been told beforehand that if they collected more than what could be eaten in a day, it would stink and produce worms. On this particular day – the sixth day – they were promised a double portion because, on the next day – the Shabbat – there would be no manna. In this, we see the provision and care that the Creator provides for His people. He realizes that men need their daily bread but, also, having instructed them to rest on the Shabbat, He provides for them in a way that they might obey His instructions. He provided the double portion so that on the seventh day they wouldn’t have to worry themselves with anything except resting in Him.
This is somewhat reminiscent of the way things were in the garden. Before the fall of man, Adam did not have to toil in order to eat; he freely ate of all that the Creator had provided for food. Considering that Adam was told to work in the Garden and, yet, could freely eat, what did his work consist of? If you consider the possibility that the Garden of Eden may have been the first earthly sanctuary, it would infer that Adam functioned in the role of a priest. In other words, his work in the Garden was not to toil in order that he might eat. His work was to minister unto the Creator as His servant and priest.
Likewise, the priests that served in the Sanctuary didn’t labor in the fields in order to eat; they could freely eat of the portions God provided for them with the offerings that were brought by the people. As a kingdom of priests, Israel was called to be set apart unto God and so, accordingly, God gave them manna that they might freely eat. With the double portion on the sixth day, He made it possible for them to obey His instructions and still receive their daily bread.
What does this have to do with you and me? First of all, prophetically speaking, we’re living in the sixth day, that is to say, just before the seventh millennia. If so, that means He wants us to be more concerned about performing His will than about worrying where our next meal is coming from. If we work toward leading an obedient lifestyle and doing what He has set before us to do, then we, too, should expect a double portion on the days we need it. He can and will provide for our physical needs – our daily bread. Furthermore, He will give us twice as much on the “sixth day” as we need it so that we can continue to walk in obedience to Him. More importantly, He wants to give us a double portion of the bread that comes from heaven, personified in Messiah, so that in the days ahead, we can endure every trial.
He doesn’t give us a double portion so that we can consume twice as much, but so that we will have enough to take us through that time we’re supposed to find rest in Him.
Shalom.
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