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There’s a long tradition of inviting the pastor to Sunday dinner. Whether a pot roast or fried chicken are waiting at home, or whether the pastor is treated to a meal at a restaurant, providing a meal is a way members can honor the service and ministry of the pastor.

We continue to study the bread of the Presence, and we see that God used this holy bread as a way to provide for the priests. They would have many daily responsibilities of service before the Lord, including maintaining the sacrifices, caring for the tabernacle, and ministering among the people. They would not have the same opportunity to farm or raise livestock. Therefore, in keeping with His character and His promises of provision, God made a way that the priests would still be nourished and fed.

This food was available only to the priests, however. This point is important: this was food that had been offered to God, and therefore it was sacred. Only the priests, who had undergone purification rituals and been set apart for holy service for the Lord, were permitted to eat the holy food (v. 33). God did not restrict this food because the priests were better than everyone else or because they somehow deserved better treats than the rest of the people. It was God’s recognition that the offerings were given to Him; He accepted them, which made them holy. Only His designated servants, therefore, could eat the offerings while also preserving their sacred honor.

God wanted the provision of bread for the priests to instill trust and faith. Just as the manna was not to be kept overnight, so also the bread offerings should not be kept overnight. When you serve Jehovah-Jireh, the Provider, you don’t need to hoard yesterday’s blessing.