The Sabbath Observed
On the sixth day the doubled gathering leads the leaders to Moses, who explains that the next day is a holy Sabbath. The extra food is to be prepared and kept overnight, and this time it remains good because the Lord has set the day apart.
O22n the sixth day, they gathered twice as much food — two omers per person — and all the leaders of the congregation came and reported this to Moses. 23He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’” 24So they set it aside until morning as Moses had commanded, and it did not smell or contain any maggots. 25“Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. Today you will not find anything in the field. 26For six days you may gather, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, it will not be there.”
Some still go out on the seventh day and find nothing, and the Lord rebukes their refusal to keep his commands. He explains that the Sabbath itself is his gift, marked by bread enough for two days and by staying at rest on the seventh.
27Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find anything. 28Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and instructions? 29Understand that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day He will give you bread for two days. On the seventh day, everyone must stay where he is; no one may leave his place.” 30So the people rested on the seventh day.