# Exodus Chapter 16
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## Summarrium
The people of God set out from Elim and come to the wilderness of sin where they grumble against Moses and Aaron due to the lack of food. Moses advises them that the Lord would rain bread from heaven and provide meat (quail). This indeed happens and the people gather what the Lord has provided. Despite being told not to some keep more than needed and this stinks and breeds worms.

This happens everyday with the exception of the Sabbath whereby the Lord proclaims a day of rest indicating that the people should not go out to gather food. Some fail to listen and the Lord is angry with them pointing out the Sabbath is given to men by the Lord.

## Meditatio

Rest remains an important feature of Biblical living. It is a pattern woven throughout Creation, the Law, the Prophets, the life of Jesus, and the Christian understanding of eternal rest. God the Father rests during the genesis account[^1], Jesus speaks much of the Sabbath and it's significance for man[^2] and the Lord makes clear through his prophets his desire that in rest we delight in the Lord[^3].

Rest is something clearly mandated as a way to pace life and permit it's living in a long term fashion. As demonstrated expertly here by the people of God we are terrible at taking directions or advice. The Lord indicates we shouldn't keep food beyond the day and we do it despite his warning, he advises us to take the day off and we still go out looking for food. This of course is indicative of the wider issue, namely that Humans can't take directives.

I feel a kinship with the people here. I dislike being out of control. I probably would have found myself amongst those who doing 'due diligence' (read lack of faith) kept food back or went out on the Sabbath. It's easy to stand in judgement over the Israelites here but in reality could we be assured we would not do the same? If it was your kids that might otherwise go hungry.

This is not a lads weekend out in the wilderness this is the mass migration of an entire people with all the men, women, children and chaos that family brings. Perhaps life needs a new rhythm. Something manageable. Given my absence since the 06/02 I am beginning to wonder what I can remove from my diary rather than add to it.

I need to learn to Sabbath better.

[^1]: See [Genesis 2:2-3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202%3A2-3&version=ESV)
[^2]: See [Mark 2:27–28](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012%3A1%E2%80%9314&version=ESV), [Matthew 12:1–14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202%3A27%E2%80%9328&version=ESV), [Matthew 12:1–14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012%3A1%E2%80%9314&version=ESV)
[^3]: See [Isaiah 58:13–14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2058%3A13%E2%80%9314&version=ESV)