What does “bread from heaven” taste like? God provided this every day while ancient Israel wandered in the wilderness (Ex. 16:4). Verse 31 explains that “it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” This miraculous substance, also known as manna, was daily proof that their Creator would continue to provide for them.

Yet God also used the sweet bread to teach the Israelites an important lesson about the Sabbath. They were to gather twice their normal daily amount of manna on Fridays (vs. 22). Unlike any other day of the week, manna gathered on the sixth day would remain good for the Sabbath day and not spoil: “And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein” (vs. 24).

What a faith-builder! Their preparation on Friday meant they would have plenty of food on the Sabbath.

God designed it this way to allow Israel to fulfill His Sabbath command. In Exodus 20:8-11, God instructed man to labor for six days and then rest on the seventh, the Sabbath—kept from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Servile work, such as gathering manna, was not allowed. This was a test to see whether they would follow God’s instructions and rely on Him for their needs.

The concept of a preparation day was not just for ancient Israel. Long after the time of manna falling from heaven, the Jews continued to keep it. In John 19:31, in the context of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, it is noted that the Jews removed His body from the stake “because it was the preparation” and that “bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath day.” This same account is also recorded in Mark 15:42 and Luke 23:54.

We live in a drastically different world than the one experienced by the Israelites in the Old Testament. Modern society means most of us cannot dedicate our entire Friday to Sabbath prep. So how can we apply this Bible principle today? What do we need to do to ensure that work, house chores and everyday life does not get in the way of keeping God’s Sabbath?

God says His laws are not burdensome (I John 5:3). Just as God blessed Israel for proper Sabbath preparation, He will do the same for us.

This article is not meant to be a “dos and don’ts” list. Its purpose is to cement in your mind how to prepare for the Sabbath correctly. The benefit to you will be truly making the weekly day of rest a delight for you and your family.

Then vs. Now

Israel’s failure to keep the Sabbath command in the Old Testament is instructive. Despite a clear warning from Moses that there would be no manna to gather on the seventh day, some did not take heed. In Exodus 16:27, they went out “on the seventh day for to gather [manna], and they found none.” Human nature can lead us to not take the Sabbath as seriously as we should.

In Exodus 35:2, Moses warned Israel about proper Sabbath observance: “Whosoever does work therein shall be put to death.” Although the stakes for us are spiritual, this does illustrate how important the Sabbath is in God’s mind.

Numbers 15:32-36 contains another example. A man was found collecting sticks on the Sabbath, and he was punished for it. While we do not know exactly what led him to make this bad decision, it is possible that a lack of preparation made him feel tempted to do something that was outlawed on the Sabbath day.

Again, for us now, setting aside most or all of Friday to prepare does not work. This means we plan further ahead, completing certain tasks earlier in the week to ensure we are ready for the rest day.

A key is to begin thinking about your needs well before Friday sunset arrives. Take account of your work and school schedules, which can complicate the situation. If you are lax in certain areas and do not try to identify and correct challenges, you risk allowing other areas of your spiritual life to slip as well—not just Sabbath-keeping.

The goal is to find a balanced approach. We must not totally forget to do anything to prepare for the Sabbath day until sundown is looming. If this happens, you will find yourself rushing around, causing stress and distraction that could have been avoided. And sometimes your preparations bleed into the Sabbath. This goes contrary to the fact that God designed the Sabbath day to be a delight and something to look forward to.

An opposite extreme, yet less common, is going overboard in our preparation—where multiple days of the week include extensive Sabbath prep. If you find yourself in this situation, you are likely going overboard and inadvertently turning God’s rest day into a burden.

I Corinthians 9:25 says, “Every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things.” The word temperate can mean “to exercise self-restraint.” The dictionary meaning of temperate is to “show moderation.” While there are principles that apply to all of us, the details of how you prepare for the Sabbath is a personal matter—everyone’s circumstances and needs are different. Staying in the middle of the road with our decisions helps us avoid problematic extremes.

There will, however, be times when you need to do something on the Sabbath that would normally be avoided. In Luke 14, Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. He used this situation to explain the concept of an “ox in a ditch” (vs. 1-6). If an ox gets stuck in a ditch on Saturday morning, would you just leave the animal there until the Sabbath ends? Of course not! Such emergencies need to be handled right away. Jesus’ example also showed it is perfectly acceptable to lend a hand to someone in need on the Sabbath.

A word of caution: We should avoid figuratively pushing the ox in the ditch ourselves—allowing emergencies to pop up because of a lack of foresight. Proverbs 27:12 says, “A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself.”

What to Prepare

Start by working on the areas that trip you up the most. We all have them. For example, you could find yourself forgetting to prepare suits and clothing, fuel up your vehicle, pay bills or buy an important grocery item far enough ahead of the Sabbath. Identifying and addressing challenges can improve your Sabbath preparation. Here are some important areas to think about.

Involve Family Members: Make sure your family is involved in the preparation process. Discuss the importance of the Sabbath and the need for preparation with your children. You could use a mealtime early in the week to discuss needs. Assign specific tasks to your kids. This not only helps distribute the work but also strengthens family bonds and teaches respect for God’s day of rest. Remember Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…”

Transportation: If you are traveling a longer distance to attend services, you should do a basic check of the vehicle before Friday sunset. Check the tire pressure and oil level and fill up your gas tank. Be proactive to prevent last-minute rushes and potential delays on the Sabbath. God blesses those who are prepared: “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness” (Prov. 21:5).

Appointments and Errands: Schedule appointments and run errands earlier in the week as much as possible. Keeping Friday clear will allow you to tackle any last-minute issues that pop up.

Timely Purchases: Ensure that any necessary purchases, such as groceries or Sabbath-specific items, are completed well before sunset on Friday. This avoids the stress of last-minute shopping. Keep in mind that you cannot think of everything every time, and we all have “oops” moments. Stay balanced.

Meal Planning: Consider mapping out your meals for the week each Sunday. This can allow you to think about Sabbath needs well ahead of time. Of course, you may have to rearrange your schedule midweek, but a little organization goes a long way to simplifying things.

Bible Study and Prayer: If you recognize areas that need improvement but have struggled to fix them, take steps to study and pray on the subject. Seek guidance from God. As Isaiah 65:24 assures us, God is ready to help us, even before we ask: “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” The Bible is a source of wisdom and guidance that never runs out, with Psalm 119:105 telling us that God’s “word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Be careful that physical needs do not crowd out important spiritual matters.

This list is by no means exhaustive, be sure to think through the areas unique to you. You will experience a more peaceful and fulfilling Sabbath day if you prepare. Planning ahead will also keep the Sabbath on your mind throughout the week and deepen what it means to you personally.

Always look for areas for improvement. Every week offers another opportunity to better your Sabbath preparations.

Enjoy the Benefits

God wants us to keep the Sabbath day holy and free from unnecessary distractions. A primary purpose of the Sabbath is for us to grow closer to our Creator, achieved through Bible study and prayer, attending weekly Sabbath services and fellowshipping with brethren. It is a day set apart from the other six days of the week, designed for recharging our spiritual batteries.

Preparing more during the week for the Sabbath day has the side benefit of helping you manage your overall time more efficiently. When tasks that were once left until the last minute are done days earlier, it naturally encourages a more organized lifestyle. In Proverbs 16:3, we are instructed, “Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established.” If you are more mindful in your preparations, you can find greater clarity and purpose in all that you do. You will be able to focus more fully on the needs of other brethren and serve in your local congregation.

The Sabbath is a gift from God (Mark 2:27). He established a level of importance by making it the Fourth Commandment. He also instructed that we take our preparations seriously each week. By preparing for this day, we ensure that we can fully experience the joy that comes from keeping the Sabbath day as God intended. Strive to make it a time to step away from the busyness of life and draw nearer to our Creator.

Isaiah 58:13-14 encourages us to “call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words: then shall you delight yourself in the Lord.”

Our goal should be to fully enjoy a day that is free from the usual, everyday concerns that occupy our minds the other six days of the week. By preparing, you honor God’s commandment and create a Sabbath that is truly a delight for yourself and your family.