Topical Bible: The Sabbath: God: Sanctified

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The concept of the Sabbath is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, serving as a day of rest and worship. It is a divinely instituted ordinance that holds significant theological and practical implications within the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Sabbath is first introduced in the creation account and is later codified in the Mosaic Law, underscoring its enduring importance.

Creation and Sanctification

The origin of the Sabbath is found in the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day, setting a precedent for the Sabbath. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." Here, the sanctification of the Sabbath is established by God Himself, marking it as a holy day set apart from the rest of the week.

The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments

The Sabbath is further emphasized in the Ten Commandments, where it is enshrined as a perpetual covenant between God and His people. Exodus 20:8-11 commands, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy." This commandment not only reiterates the sanctity of the Sabbath but also provides a model for human rest and worship.

Theological Significance

The Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as articulated in Exodus 31:13 : "You are to speak to the Israelites and say, 'You must observe My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.'" The Sabbath is thus a reminder of God's creative power and His role as the sanctifier of His people.

Sabbath Observance in Israel

In ancient Israel, Sabbath observance was a central aspect of religious life. It was a day dedicated to rest, worship, and reflection, free from the labors of the week. The prohibition of work extended to all members of the community, emphasizing the communal nature of the Sabbath. Violations of the Sabbath were taken seriously, as seen in various Old Testament passages, highlighting the importance of adhering to this divine command.

The Sabbath in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings and actions regarding the Sabbath provide further insight into its purpose and observance. While Jesus upheld the significance of the Sabbath, He also challenged legalistic interpretations that overshadowed its intended purpose. In Mark 2:27-28 , Jesus declares, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." This statement underscores the Sabbath's role as a gift to humanity, intended for rest and spiritual renewal, rather than a burdensome obligation.

Conclusion

The Sabbath remains a profound symbol of God's creative authority and His desire for His people to experience rest and sanctification. Its observance is a testament to the enduring relationship between God and His followers, serving as a weekly reminder of His provision and holiness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 2:3
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 31:15
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whoever does any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Observance of the Sabbath.
... For the Jews say, that from the beginning God sanctified the seventh day, by ... we
(Christians) understand that we still more ought to observe a sabbath from all ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iv of the observance of.htm

Third Day. Holiness and Creation.
... 1. God sanctified the Sabbath day. ... God sanctified the Sabbath day. The word can teach
us what the nature is of the work God does when He makes holy. ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/third day holiness and creation.htm

The False and the True Sabbath.
... my mercy to rest upon them." [1656] The Sabbath is mentioned ... beginning of the creation
[thus]: "And God made in ... day, and rested on it, and sanctified it." [1657 ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter xv the false and the.htm

Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ...
... is, to cease working], or heiligen Abend geben [sanctify the Sabbath]. ... that without
it no holy day can be sanctified, we must know that God insists upon a ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt sanctify the holy.htm

How is the Sabbath to be Sanctified?
... A60: The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a ... are lawful on other days; and spending
the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster shorter catechism/question 60 0 0 how is the.htm

How is the Sabbath or the Lord's Day to be Sanctified?
... Answer: The sabbath or Lord's day is to be sanctified by an ... up in works of necessity
and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God's worship: and ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 117 0 0 how is the.htm

Of the Eternal Felicity of the City of God, and of the Perpetual ...
... the psalm, "Be still, and know that I am God." [1695] There shall be the great Sabbath
which has ... And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 30 of the eternal felicity.htm

The Sabbath
... Because He had rested upon the Sabbath, "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified
it,""set it apart to a holy use. He gave it to Adam as a day of rest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 29 the sabbath.htm

Fifth Day. Holiness and Redemption.
... God has made holy. God sanctified the Sabbath day: man has to sanctify it,
that is, to keep it holy. God sanctified the first-born ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/fifth day holiness and redemption.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... of the day which God had sanctified. They could find no evidence in the Scriptures
that the fourth commandment had been abolished, or that the Sabbath had been ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm