Recently I was reading the book Fervent by Priscilla Shirer and she wrote on what we read today. Israel knew only slavery at this point. They took commands and worked all day every day. They did not have an understanding of rest because it wasn’t an option. They were slaves, owned by another and their jobs never ended. In Fervent Priscilla discussed that the idea of a day of rest was a foreign concept to Israel. When the command to rest was given or even to leave the land so that they could worship it was a new thing for Israel. Rest and Sabbath were a new thing God was having to teach Israel. To cease from labor even the gathering of manna seemed foreign to the people. Why could they not gather daily more than one day and yet on the eve before their Sabbath they were instructed to gather enough for two days. Worship and rest were important to God and obedience to instruction even more important. I have always been frustrated with Israel and their disobedience, but today I find more compassion for them because they were learning new disciplines each day. God was preparing them for the battles ahead. This is a great way for us to learn to that God’s plans are not just best, they are for our best. Rest is a necessary gift given to us by our Wise God. So if you are not accustomed to resting on the Sabbath, I challenge you to begin today. Worship this morning but come home and find a place to close you eyes and rest your mind.