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Today has been such a great day spent resting, reading and reflecting on God's Word. Today was the Sabbath day, yes, the seventh day that God established from the beginning to be a day of rest.
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." ~ Genesis 2:3
For a long time I've wondered about the fourth commandment. When I would think about it, it didn't seem right that it is largely ignored. Do we not hold the Ten Commandments as the foundation of all laws, to honor God and benefit mankind? How is it that we have forgotten the one commandment which begins with, "Remember"?
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." ~ Exodus 20:8-11
I've heard a few explanations why this one commandment no longer applies to us, or that the Sabbath day was shifted from the seventh day to the first day of the week, and yet I see no mandate in Scripture to make any such change. On the contrary, it was given as a perpetual sign of God's covenant with His people. Are you one of His?
"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed." ~ Exodus 31:16-17
And, yes, it's even for those who are not born Israelites..
"Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;" ~ Isaiah 56:6
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." ~ Galatians 3:29
The Sabbath is not a hard commandment to keep, but it is a pleasure! And it brings God's blessings on the ones who observe it.
"Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." ~ Isaiah 56:2
I hope that you observe God's day of rest, too. After all, it was made for your benefit!
"The sabbath was made for man..." ~ Mark 2:27
7 comments:
Thank you for sharing this! It needs to be shared!
Shalom!
Kathy
I too have wondered about that commandment and of course have heard preachers say it doesn't apply to us today and was done away with as ceremonial law. I do not know how it would be moved to the first day of the week - at least not for those in the ministry. Don't you feel you have worked on Sunday? Serving and caring for others is work. It may be a joy and create rewards in having but they don't call it good WORKS for nothing! On the other hand, there were very specific mandates about the Sabbath to the Jews other than just resting. It even went so far as to prepare extra on the day before the Sabbath so as not to do any work on the Sabbath. - even cooking from what I've studied. I think we might have a hard time having a complete Sabbath day today.
I agree, Tammy, Sundays are work-days, especially for those in the ministry!
I used to have those same feelings about the Sabbath being difficult to keep nowadays. But since we started attempting to do it, we've found it's really not that hard. Cooking ahead of time is the best part - No cooking for 24 hours. Woot! ;o)
This is such an encouraging site sister! My husband and I have been "re-learning" everything we were taught as Christians. There are so many things that we need to go back to God's Word on and not rely on what other "Christians" do. I expect a difficult Christmas season this year as we have decided not to celebrate. And it will only be difficult because of what other people who proclaim Christ as their savior will think about us--especially our families. It will be a lonely time, but I'm so excited to worship God correctly and according to His Word and to not follow man's vain traditions which the rest of the world follows ironically enough. I want to be separated from the world!
We too have also decided to take the forth commandment more seriously and stick to the biblical sabbath. I have often asked myself why is this ignored so easily when the other nine are not?
I look forward to your future posts. Thank you for using scripture as your anchor!!! Praise the Lord!!!!
Thanks for sharing some of your findings Tammy! I've been waiting :o)
Lovely blog, Tammy. The musis is so peaceful and soothing as I read through yours posts. Great job sharing biblical truths. May you and your family be blessed!
Great post sister Tammy! I hadn't got to visit your blog for a while, so glad I stopped by today. I love the Sabbath, and love having a 24 hour period when I feel I have God's permission to rest. Having a husband who pastor's a church eliminates the so called Sunday day of rest!
Lord bless you dear sister, and I always enjoy your blog.
Blessings,
Pam
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