THERE was a most remarkable feature connected with the gathering of the manna. While it must be gathered fresh each day, and any leftover would breed worms, so that they would be glad to throw away what might not be eaten, yet when the sixth day came they gathered a double portion, and on the seventh day they found it sweet and good; and not only so, but on the seventh day there was no manna to be found in the field. The reason was very simple and distinct; the Lord had marked that day as a Sabbath unto Himself, and they were to keep it in quietness and holiness. But how perverse is the heart of man! Although God was so gracious as to provide in this way a rest for the people, giving on the sixth day a double portion of the manna, and keeping it sweet for them that they might not have to gather on the seventh day, yet some of them refused to hearken, and went out to gather, but found no bread there. Then God told them, through Moses, that every man must stay in his place and none go out. From that time the Sabbath was rigidly kept by God’s people of old. Death was the penalty for the gathering of sticks to make a fire, or other work done on that day.
The seventh day was the day on which God rested “from all His work which He had made;” and it is a type of the eternal rest that awaits the people of God. But sin came in and spoiled God’s rest, and we get no mention of the Sabbath again until we find it here in the wilderness where Israel is brought into relationship with God, and now put on the ground of responsibility. The Lord spoke from heaven and made known His holy Sabbath to the people (Neh. 9:13, 1413Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: 14And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant: (Nehemiah 9:13‑14).) And He gave it to be a sign between Him and them, showing that He had set this people apart for Himself. (Ez. 20:12.)
Shall we, like God’s ancient people, be cursed if we do any work on the Sabbath day? No! we are not under the law, and do not therefore come under the curse of a broken law. “Christ bath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” (Gal. 3:10-1310For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:10‑13).) The day and dispensation in which we live are different from the day and dispensation in which Israel lived. But let us remember that we have greater light and more truth than they had, and our responsibility is correspondingly greater than theirs. As to one day in seven, there is an obligation resting upon us, even as there was upon them; but with us it is as to the first—not the seventh day of the week. It was on the first day of the week that Jesus arose from the dead; and this day speaks to us of the glorious resurrection morn that awaits the redeemed. It was on the first day of the week that Jesus met with His disciples, and that again and again; and on that day they continued to meet about His blessed person to remember Him in the breaking of bread. This first day of the week is called in the Scriptures, The Lord’s day. Does this title, which God gives to it, give it any sacredness in our eyes? Surely it should, for it is the one day of the week which the Lord claims as His own. And since He calls the first day His, it becomes His people to leave that day free in a very special way for Himself.
Consider a moment; would we treat the Lord’s table as we do our own table every day at home? No! this would be abhorrent to us—it would be sacrilege. There is a sacredness connected with the Lord’s table which we own with adoring hearts; and this same feeling of sacredness should be manifest in connection with the Lord’s day. But alas! alas! how greatly the Lord is dishonored by His people on this, His day. Many, yes most of people, put aside their regular business, or the daily duties which fall to their lot, on that day, and think perhaps that is all that is necessary; then the day, or part of it, at least, is given up to visiting, or mayhap, letter writing; or, as the case may be, some little extras that have been crowded out in the busy days of the week. Others take the day for riding, walking, or even sleeping. Where is service to the Lord in all this! In what is there learning of Him! Wherein is He honored!
May grace be given to all who are His to set the day apart for Him, and to use it in a, special way for His glory!
ML 03/29/1903