Gathering a "Double Portion" on the 6th Day

The WORDview Quiet Time method is built upon reading plans of five daily readings a week. However, we encourage participants to use the sixth day each week for “gathering a double portion.”  This means to use the sixth day to go back and review the previous week’s readings for possible scripture memory, further meditation, or deeper study.

This concept is based on an Old Testament passage and how Jesus applied it in His own life in Matthew 4.  When tempted by Satan not to trust God, and thus live life on His own, Christ responded by quoting Deut. 8:3, “It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"  (Matt. 4:4; NIV).

It is important to note that the passage Jesus quoted from (Deuteronomy 8) is referring to God’s provision of “manna” (physical bread as food) from heaven for the children of Israel as they traveled to their Promised Land.  They were instructed by God through Moses to gather the manna daily, each morning, and only enough for each day, one day at a time.  On the sixth day they were instructed to gather a double portion, two day’s worth so that they could rest on the Sabbath.

The lesson the Israelites were to learn was that God could be trusted to meet all their daily needs.  However, it is also clear that this “object lesson” was about more than just physical food.  It was also intended to teach them to lean in humble daily dependence on God’s faithfulness to meet all their needs, especially their spiritual needs.

Paul, referring specifically to the Israelite’s Promised Land journey, made it clear in 1 Cor. 10:11 that, “…these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction…”

In Jesus’ use of this passage in Matt. 4, He is clearly referring to spiritual sustenance, not just physical, and how important it is daily to be feeding on God’s Word as our “spiritual manna” in order to defeat Satan’s temptations. The implication is that we too are to be gathering our “daily manna,” our “spiritual nutrition,” each morning to give us the spiritual sustenance we will need to live that day, one day at a time for Christ.  And we should consider gathering a “double portion” of “spiritual manna” on the sixth day.

So, give it a try!  On the sixth day of each week go back and review your previous week’s quiet times. Perhaps there is a certain verse you would like to memorize, or a theme you would like to explore, or a passage you would like to dig into for deeper study.  Or perhaps you just need to catch up on a day or two you missed.  Whatever the case we believe you will find some rich “spiritual manna” as a “double portion” to sustain you on your journey to the Promised Land blessings of the abundant life available to us in Christ.