What Is the Sabbath?

2016-02-15

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What Is the Sabbath? What Is the Sabbath? The Sabbath is more than just a day off from work; it represents something much bigger in our lives. Many people have a general idea that the Sabbath is a day to abstain from work, but this teaching will explore the deeper meaning and significance of the Sabbath from a Hebrew Roots perspective. This understanding goes beyond simply not working and enters into the realms of rest, redemption, and kingdom anticipation. The Ten Commandments and the Sabbath The Ten...

What Is the Sabbath? What Is the Sabbath?

The Sabbath is more than just a day off from work; it represents something much bigger in our lives. Many people have a general idea that the Sabbath is a day to abstain from work, but this teaching will explore the deeper meaning and significance of the Sabbath from a Hebrew Roots perspective. This understanding goes beyond simply not working and enters into the realms of rest, redemption, and kingdom anticipation.

The Ten Commandments and the Sabbath

The Ten Commandments are a foundational element in both Christianity and Judaism. While some denominations believe the Ten Commandments no longer apply, most Christians recognize their importance. In Judaism, these are viewed as ten statements from God, beginning with "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." The fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy," highlights the Sabbath's importance.

The Sabbath is elevated in importance, as it is mentioned alongside commandments like "Do not murder" and "Do not commit adultery." This placement prompts the question of how to apply the Sabbath to our lives, why Yeshua (Jesus) kept the Sabbath, and what it truly represents.

The Creation Account and God's Rest

The first instance of the Sabbath is found in Genesis 2:1-3, where God rested on the seventh day after completing creation. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because He rested from His work. This raises questions about how God spent His Sabbath and how we should model our Sabbath after Him.

The creation account can be understood with God creating His throne room during the six days of creation. On the seventh day, He sat down in His creation as God over it. Just as President's Day is a day to honor the leaders of the country, the Sabbath is a day to acknowledge God's creation and redemption.

The Sabbath as a Blessing and a Sign

God blessed the Sabbath day, along with living creatures and mankind, expressing His total blessing over His creation. By blessing the Sabbath, God promised to be man's benefactor throughout history. In Deuteronomy 5, the Sabbath commandment is connected to the redemption from slavery in Egypt, emphasizing that the Sabbath is a reminder of God's liberation.

Hans Walter Wolff, a professor of Old Testament, notes that on every Sabbath, Israel is to remember that God is her liberator. A.N. DuBois, a Catholic preacher, adds that the Sabbath is not just a simple souvenir but a constant renewal of the initial benefit of salvation. The Sabbath provides a weekly rest from life's hardships, a remembrance of salvation, and a glimpse into the future redemption in the Messianic Kingdom.

Yeshua and the Sabbath

Yeshua kept the Sabbath, as it was His custom. In Luke 4:14-21, Yeshua inaugurated His ministry in the synagogue on the Sabbath, reading from Isaiah 61 and proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor, which is associated with the Jubilee year. This passage speaks of liberating the poor, captives, blind, and oppressed.

Yeshua's ministry focused on this concept of freedom and redemption, mirroring the sabbatical year where debts were remitted, slaves were emancipated, and land was returned to its original owners. The Sabbath, therefore, is not just a day of rest but a reminder of the freedom from physical and spiritual oppression.

The Sabbath and Compassion

Yeshua often faced conflict with the Pharisees over Sabbath observance. The Pharisees had added 1,520 regulations to the Sabbath, making it more about rules than about God. Yeshua, however, emphasized compassion and love for one's neighbor as the true essence of the Sabbath.

In Mark 3:1-6, Yeshua healed a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the law. He argued that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, highlighting that the Sabbath was meant to show compassion to the defenseless and needy, such as slaves, servants, and aliens.

The Sabbath and the Messianic Kingdom

The Sabbath is not merely a day of rest but also an anticipation of the Messianic Kingdom. Isaiah 66 speaks of all mankind coming to worship God every Sabbath in the Messianic Kingdom. Rabbi Theodore Friedman notes that Isaiah uses the words "delight" (oneg) and "honor" (kavad) to describe both the Sabbath and the end days.

According to rabbinic Judaism, keeping the Sabbath allows one to experience a fraction of the Messianic age every week. The Sabbath is a day to experience what the world will be like when Messiah is ruling and reigning. Yeshua claimed to fulfill these Messianic expectations through His Sabbath observance, offering salvation and rest to those who come to Him.

The Meaning of Holiness and the Sabbath Bubble

Ezekiel 20:12 states that God gave the Sabbaths as a sign between Him and the Israelites, signifying that He sanctifies them. The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant, much like a wedding ring. It is a remembrance of creation, redemption, and the future kingdom, as well as the ministry of Matthew Vander Els.

The Sabbath is the only day called holy, creating a "bubble" of holiness that defines the day. This holiness is not just about being set apart but also about entering into a dimension of status and experiencing God's presence. Matthew Vander Els encourages believers to maintain excitement and anticipation for the Sabbath, recognizing it as a benefit and a sign of God's kingdom.

Practical Applications for Everyday Life

Prioritize Rest: Use the Sabbath as a time to disconnect from work and the usual stresses of life, focusing on physical and mental rest.
Remember Redemption: Reflect on God's liberation from slavery and sin, recognizing the Sabbath as a weekly reminder of this freedom.
Show Compassion: Emulate Yeshua's compassion by helping those in need and ensuring that those under your care also experience rest.
Anticipate the Kingdom: Use the Sabbath as a glimpse into the future Messianic Kingdom, a time of peace, restoration, and freedom from oppression.
Honor God's Creation: Acknowledge and appreciate God's creation, spending time in nature or reflecting on the beauty and order of the universe.
Focus on Relationships: Spend quality time with family and loved ones, strengthening bonds and enjoying fellowship.
Engage in Worship: Participate in worship and prayer, connecting with God and His community.
Avoid Unnecessary Work: Be mindful of the types of activities engaged in, ensuring they align with the spirit of rest and reflection.