Remember the Sabbath Day

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work…” (Exodus 20:8-9).

The word “sabbath” means “rest, ceasing from labor.” For Israel, the setting aside of the seventh day of the week as a day of rest honored both God’s rest from creation and His deliverance of them from Egypt (Exodus 20:11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15). The Hebrews first observed this holy day in the wilderness en route to Mt. Sinai (Exodus 16:22-30). Throughout Jewish history the sabbath was a day for rest, worship, and meditation on God and His word.

In addition to the sabbath day, the Law provided for a sabbath year every seven years. In that year the Jews were not to farm their land and were to forgive the debts owed to them (Leviticus 25:1-7; Deuteronomy 15:1-11). Furthermore, every seventh sabbath year was followed by a year of Jubilee, in which Hebrew slaves were freed and lands were returned to the families who had originally owned them (Leviticus 25:23-34, 39-41; 27:24). Feast days (Passover, Pentecost, Atonement, etc.) were also treated as sabbaths, regardless of the day of the week (Leviticus 23:23-36).

All of these sabbaths served to promote the welfare of the people and remind them that everything and everyone ultimately belonged to God. The sabbath was given not only to honor God, but to benefit man. The restrictions of the sabbath were meant to be a blessing, not a burden. As if to underscore this point, Jesus often healed the sick on the sabbath (Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17). This was much to the shock of the scribes and Pharisees, whose traditions regarding the sabbath were so restrictive that one was almost left with no reason to get out of bed that day. Responding to one of their silly sabbath traditions, Jesus observed, “The sabbath was made for man’s sake, and not man for the sabbath’s sake” (Mark 2:27).

No Longer in Force

Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant (Matthew 5:17). His death took that Law away and established His New Covenant (see Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-14; Galatians 2:23-25; Hebrews 8:13; 9:13-17). Because it has been replaced with “the perfect law of liberty” (James 2:25), the Mosaic Law no longer has authority over men.

While the New Covenant of Christ repeats the rest of the Ten Commandments, it contains not a word to enjoin sabbath observance on God's people. In fact, Paul listed sabbath days among “things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ,” and said, “Let no one act as your judge” in regard to these things (Colossians 2:16-17). This makes it clear that sabbath keeping is not part of the New Covenant — on Saturday, Sunday, or any other day.

Timeless Lessons

Even though the sabbath is no longer in force, that doesn’t make the commandment pointless. Its principles should not be lost on us. The sabbath provided for things that man needed: rest from busy secular activities; reflection on God’s law; worship; and a reminder that we and our possessions really belong to God. Do we need these things any less today?

We need to rest. Jesus himself sometimes sought peace in solitude after a strenuous round of work. He encouraged the disciples to do likewise (see John 6:30-32). Human beings sometimes need to relax and refresh themselves. The hectic pace of our society makes it difficult, but all the more needful.

We need to reflect on God’s word. “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). Because the inspired Scriptures will equip us for every good work, we should give diligence to knowing them (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2:15). Every day is a good day to dive into the word of God.

We need to worship. Worship glorifies God and strengthens us. It is nothing but selfishness that keeps many of us from being present at the assemblies, especially on Sunday when most of us are off from work (see Hebrews 10:25). The first day of the week is a special day of worship for Christians (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). It is evidently this day that John called “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10). Yet our worship need not be limited to one day, or to the assemblies of the church. Times of family worship at home, gatherings in the homes of others for praise or prayer — in all these things God’s name is lifted up and we are built up.

The sabbaths emphasized God’s ownership of all things and His provision for His people. We need to remember that, too. We should give cheerfully, knowing that our material blessings are from a God who will provide all we need (2 Corinthians 9:6f). We should live in purity, knowing that even our bodies are not really ours (1 Corinthians 6:19). We should serve diligently, knowing that our abilities are, to borrow a phrase, “talent on loan from God” (see Matthew 25:14-30).

Conclusion

Like other aspects of Moses’ Law, the sabbath is a “type” or “shadow” of the greater reality in the New Covenant. It foreshadows the eternal day of rest and worship in heaven.“There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.…Let us be diligent to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:9,11).