Bread from Heaven—the sabbath
The story of the manna where God feeds the children of Israel in the wilderness, is a story which is often over looked as to its importance. It is not just an enormous event in the biblical history, but it also marks the first official sabbath given to the children of Israel and lays down some of the first sabbath statute laws.
In this scripture we can see a few things regarding the time when this event took place, when it took place during the day, and when it took place regarding other Biblical events past and those that were still to come.
We’re also told something about the geography and names of places. Lastly, we can learn something about the people of Israel and God and His attitude His people.
First read the Scripture.
Exodus 16:1-31 (KJV)
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. [2] And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: [3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of YHWH (the LORD) in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
[4] Then said YHWH (the LORD) unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. [5] And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. [6] And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: [7] And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of YHWH (the LORD); for that he heareth your murmurings against YHWH (the LORD): and what are we, that ye murmur against us? [8] And Moses said, This shall be, when YHWH (the LORD) shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that YHWH (the LORD) heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against YHWH (the LORD).
[9] And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before YHWH (the LORD): for he hath heard your murmurings. [10] And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of YHWH (the LORD) appeared in the cloud.
[11] And YHWH (the LORD) spake unto Moses, saying, [12] I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am YHWH (the LORD) your God. [13] And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. [14] And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. [15] And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which YHWH (the LORD) hath given you to eat.
[16] This is the thing which YHWH (the LORD) hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. [17] And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. [18] And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. [19] And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. [20] Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. [21] And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
[22] And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. [23] And he said unto them, This is that which YHWH (the LORD) hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto YHWH (the LORD): bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. [24] And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. [25] And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto YHWH (the LORD): to day ye shall not find it in the field. [26] Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
[27] And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. [28] And YHWH (the LORD) said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? [29] See, for that YHWH (the LORD) hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. [30] So the people rested on the seventh day. [31] And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
We begin here with direct statement of time and place. It is the 15th day of the Second month from when the children of Israel had left the land of Egypt.
The Scripture states:
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
We know that the "first month of months" was already laid down by YHWH (God).
Exodus 12:2 (KJV)
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Now we also know from a previous study, that the children of Israel left on the day of the Passover or the 14th day of first month.
It’s already been shown that the Lunar phase of the Moon or a physical Hebrew Month was approximately 29 days of a new moon to new moon.
So 29 subtracting 14 gives you 15 days that Israel has traveled until the second month.
From the previous study it was shown how “day one” of the month, or the first new moon crescent sighting, was the first day of the Hebrew month.
Now, exactly fifteen days (including day one) later, Israel arrives at “the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.”
According to the lunar calendar— by the phases of the moon— this exact time is now the 15th day or a mid-part of the full moon phase.
It is also, technically, the first day of the seven day cycle. Or the second first day after the second seventh day of the month —the 14th day.
With this brief background information, let's continue in the scripture.
Exodus 16:1-7 (KJV)
And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. [2] And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: [3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of YHWH (the LORD) in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
[4] Then said YHWH (the LORD) unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. [5] And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. [6] And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: [7] And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
The children of Israel, after being saved, witnessing the mighty works of YHWH, are now mumbling or complaining.
They are saying “we were better off in Egypt than to come out here and die of thirst and hunger.” It would seem as if they have taken the Salvation of YHWH a bit lightly and now are not content enough to be free from Egyptian bondage.
This naturally grieves YHWH, but Yahweh still takes care of the children of Israel. He will rain down food for the children of Israel and lay down some rules to “prove” (prove means test) the children of Israel and their loyalty, obedience, (their love) to YHWH and His Laws and commandments.
Now the timing is very important to note that we are on the 15th day; and remember that the Hebrew Day begins in the evening.
Notice closely what time Moses and Aaron tells the people that YHWH will rain down food.
Exodus 16:6-7
And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that YHWH (the LORD) hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: [7] And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of YHWH (the LORD); for that he heareth your murmurings against YHWH (the LORD): and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
In the beginning we’re told by the Scripture narrative that it was on the 15th day that this murmuring of the people takes place. But it’s extremely possible that we may have only just begun (being the 15th). The day has only just begun.
YAHWEH next lays down some of rules of the Children of Israel concerning this food YHWH will feed them with and to “prove them”.
YHWH tells Moses “I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. [5] And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”
Notice next what Moses tells the children of Israel.
And Moses said, This shall be, when YHWH (the LORD) shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that YHWH (the LORD) heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against YHWH (the LORD).
[9] And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before YHWH (the LORD): for he hath heard your murmurings. [10] And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of YHWH (the LORD) appeared in the cloud.
[11] And YHWH (the LORD) spake unto Moses, saying, [12] I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am YHWH (the LORD) your God. [13] And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.
Look at all the references to “the even,” the “evening” and “at even” as well “the morning.” Remember that “the morning” is always the second late part a Hebrew day, not the first part.
So it is the 15th day at “even” when God first feeds Israel with quails.
Now read on:
[11] And YHWH (the LORD) spake unto Moses, saying, [12] I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am YHWH (the LORD) your God. [13] And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. [14] And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. [15] And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which YHWH (the LORD) hath given you to eat.
[16] This is the thing which YHWH (the LORD) hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. [17] And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. [18] And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. [19] And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. [20] Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. [21] And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
[22] And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. [23] And he said unto them, This is that which YHWH (the LORD) hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto YHWH (the LORD): bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. [24] And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. [25] And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto YHWH (the LORD): to day ye shall not find it in the field. [26] Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
So God tells Moses and the children of Israel that they will be fed in the evening and morning six days. He states that on the sixth day they shall gather twice as much food (enough food for both the sixth day and the seventh) , but on the seventh day everyone shall cease and no food will be gathered or found. This seventh day is the sabbath.
So what we have is the first day at even came the quails and in morning bread from YHWH.
So if as the Book account states, this began on 15th day —being the first day, and it continued for six days with a double portion on the sixth day.
If we simply count, we count five days from the 15th day to get the sixth day, and count one more day to get the sabbath. Notice the numbers of the dates starting with the 15th as mention in the Bible below:
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
15 + 6 = 21
This brings the first declared Sabbath of YHWH to exactly the 21st day! This meant that the double portion of manna fell on the 20th day of the month.
Again, If we go back to the Hebrew Lunar calendar, the 21st day is not only a lunar phase of the moon, but is exactly 7 days later after the 14th day, and also a number divisible by seven as well as being the third lunar sabbath in a lunar month.
if you recall, there was another such Holy day declared by the Mouth of YHWH that fell on the 21st day. It was in the first month prior.
Exodus 12:18 (KJV)
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
It would be extremely easy to miss this if one did not closely observe when Hebrew day begins (at even), how the Hebrew kept track of days (new moon) , and a brief understanding of lunar cycle.
[22] And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. [23] And he said unto them, This is that which YHWH (the LORD) hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto YHWH (the LORD): bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. [24] And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. [25] And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto YHWH (the LORD): to day ye shall not find it in the field. [26] Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
So we can see that YHWH commanded the children of Israel on the “rest of the holy Sabbath unto YHWH” that they should prepare for and keep what they gathered on the sixth day, but not to do this on the seventh day.
Note YHWH allowed them to eat their bread or left overs. God states that they shall not gather food on the Seventh day.
Some of Israel disobeys or ignores YHWH commandments.
[27] And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. [28] And YHWH (the LORD): said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? [29] See, for that YHWH (the LORD): hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. [30] So the people rested on the seventh day. [31] And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
We can see that the sabbath was most holy to God. It is a day of holy convocation. It was essentially the day the Passover took place. It is the day that God has kept for doing some wondrous things and a day to be used for God and His Glory. The sabbath is a holy day kept apart, and for man to rest from all his labor. It is always the seventh day.
Here God specifically forbids noone to gather on the sabbath. And when some ignored the command YHWH was wroth and angry and He thus destroyed the good that He gave— the manna melted or stunk. Man can often be greedy not honoring God or His laws.
So according to the Scripture, God commanded the children of Israel to rest in their dwellings and not go out.
Isn’t that just like man today —much like then —to want to work or labor on fruitlessly everyday he/she lives.
We don’t ever seem to take a break and rest, the sabbath was not meant to be a burden, but enjoyed for the gift from God it was— a time of rest from our work, refreshing ourselves with His Word and study of God, bringing us to commune with God and fellowship with one another glorifying Him.
What a wonderful study and a great gift God has given man!
Mark 2:27-28 (KJV)
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: [28] Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Luke 6:5-7 (KJV)
And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. [6] And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. [7] And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Luke 13:14-16 (KJV)
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. [15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? [16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Unfortunately several thousand years later, it is not God’s law or YHWH’s calendar we serve, but often that of man’s or our own selfish wants, and it not His time but ours. We reserve a calendar based on a “working week” devised to coordinate “our job” often not in tune or aligned to God’s awesome holy ordained schedule. Perhaps one glorious day we well all be realigned to worship God in the truth in love and in fear and holiness in his proper ordained times.
We should remember that God is all merciful and willing to forgive (should we repent and Seek HIS face) but we should try to our best to understand the sabbath and work toward keeping it as best we can.
But thanks be to God who has given us a Victory in our Lord Jesus Christ—our Mercy Seat and our propitiation who rests over the Law of YHWH and give us access to Almighty God and can have mercy upon our pathetic souls as almost all sadly cannot or do not keep God Biblical Sabbaths today.
Colossians 2:6-19 (KJV)
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: [7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: [11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. [16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. [18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
This author is fairly confident that that these bible studies on the Sabbath will reveal a way to reach back to the roots and Biblical origins of understanding the sabbath and hopefully will excite you more about God’s awesome Word.
John 6:32-34 (KJV)
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. [34] Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
John 6:35-40 (KJV)
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. [36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. [37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. [38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. [39] And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. [40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:43-51 (KJV)
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. [44] No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. [45] It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. [46] Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. [47] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. [48] I am that bread of life. [49] Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. [50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. [51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
We can see that JESUS is the bread of Life and He is Lord of the Sabbath.
1st Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
While one should not judge another for not keeping the Sabbath, in it's true biblical ordinance, one assuredly will be blessed abundantly by God for keeping a biblical Sabbath. Especially if one uses such a Holy Day of God, doing God's Holy Will.
I pray you have been most blessed by this study as you go back into the Word of God yourself and Study to see if the things I mention here be so.
Next article: The Sabbath--through the Seventh Month