Dictionary of Bible Themes A day or period of time during which regular work is suspended. In Israel, the Sabbath provided a weekly break from everyday labour, giving opportunity for rest and religious assembly, and was the pattern for set days of rest and annual festivals. The NT records events in the life of Jesus Christ which are marked by Christian holidays. Genesis 2:2-3The Sabbath day See also Exodus 31:13-17Jeremiah 17:24 Mark 2:27 Their observance of the Sabbath marked Israel out as the distinctive people of God Hebrews 4:4Exodus 23:12 The purpose of holidays For rest and refreshment See also Exodus 20:8-11The Sabbath provided a rest period each week. Exodus 34:21pp Dt 5:12-14 Leviticus 25:2-5To restore society Leviticus 25:10The sabbath year allowed the land to be rested Deuteronomy 15:12The restoration of family property in the Year of Jubilee Leviticus 23:3The sabbath year marked the release of Hebrew slaves. To assemble for worship Numbers 29:12See also Release from the ties of everyday labour gives opportunity for the people of God to meet together in worship Leviticus 23:27Deuteronomy 16:8 Isaiah 1:13 pp Nu 29:7 Psalms 42:4See also Psalms 68:24-27; 118:27Deuteronomy 5:15 See also To recall God's deliverance Deuteronomy 16:3,12Hebrews 4:11 Exodus 12:16 Israel's seven annual holidays Leviticus 23:21pp Lev 23:7-8 the first and seventh days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread Leviticus 23:24-25pp Nu 28:26 the day of firstfruits (Pentecost) Leviticus 23:28-32pp Nu 29:1 the Feast of Trumpets Leviticus 23:34-36pp Lev 16:29-31 the Day of Atonement the first and eighth days of the Feast of Tabernacles Acts 20:7Christian holidays linked with the life of Jesus Christ See also The Lord's Day Mark 16:91 Corinthians 16:2 Revelation 1:10 The church meets together on the first day of the week: the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection Luke 2:7See also Christmas Day John 1:14Matthew 2:1-2,9-11 Epiphany Matthew 4:1-2Lent pp Mk 1:12-13 Matthew 27:45-50pp Lk 4:1-2 Good Friday John 19:28-30pp Mk 15:33-37 pp Lk 23:44-46 Mark 16:5-6Easter Sunday pp Mt 28:5-6 See also pp Lk 24:4-6 Luke 24:50-51Ascension Day Acts 1:9Acts 2:1-4 See also Pentecost (Whit Sunday) 1325 God, the Creator5056 rest 5213 assembly 5312 feasting 5385 leisure 5628 work 7354 feasts and festivals 7428 Sabbath 7482 Year of Jubilee 8642 celebration 8670 remembering |
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