Part 2 Sabbath as progressive revelation
Each mention of Sabbath seems to introduce and develop the concept of Sabbath further. We see at least these top level concepts communicated progressively over time:
The first mention of Sabbath directly to people is Ex 16:23 at the giving of manna. This was both provision and a test of obedience which could result in Israel learning Trust. By experiencing Yahs faithfulness to keep them now that they were delivered from slavery, the foundation can be laid for the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, and the promise of a place to be, provision and blessing to Israel, and then to the rest of the Earth.
Exd 16:23 NKJV – 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.’ “
- By trusting in Yah to provide food for each day, Israel would get trained in faith and obedience. Every day had just enough, and none of it could be gathered and left for more than your need.
- Obedience every day was simple, as the manna rotted. EXCEPT for this special day you couldn’t overcome the inherent limit of provision. By trusting in Yah every 6th day for 2 days worth, it reconnects us to the provision and faithfulness of Yah. Every day is NOT the same.
This is instructive. The limits are self-imposed, and cannot be violated. Manna doesn’t keep except for the Sabbath. The consequences are smelly maggot infested manna, You simply don’t do that twice.
There seems to be a part of this that is implied that you don’t COOK or process it on Sabbath. You eat the left over manna that had been made.