What's the Difference?

As they wander through the wilderness, deprived of normal sources of water and food, the Israelites continue wrestling with God and His plan for them. This is not the liberated existence they envisioned. Feeling the frailty of their bodies and the uncertainty of their future, they repeatedly grumble and complain against Moses and against the Lord. And God repeatedly and distinctly provides for them. He gives them miraculous bread from heaven and sanctified rest from labor. He prescribes Sabbath rest whereby they are to do no work on the last day of the week but are simply to rest and receive from the provisions of the previous day. It will be a holy, set apart day for them to reflect on the difference of living life by the provisions of God alone rather than by their own efforts. Once again, it all points forward to the ultimate provision of God through Christ, from whom we receive for our souls, both bread, spiritual sustenance (Jn 6) and relief, spiritual rest (Heb 4) for our souls.