Topical Encyclopedia The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, is a divinely instituted ordinance that reflects God's considerate kindness towards humanity. It is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing rest, reflection, and reverence for God. The Sabbath is first introduced in the creation narrative, where God Himself sets the precedent for rest.Creation and the Sabbath In Genesis 2:2-3 , the Sabbath is established as God completes His work of creation: "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, God's rest is not due to fatigue but serves as a model for humanity, highlighting the importance of rest and sanctity. The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments The Sabbath is enshrined in the Ten Commandments, underscoring its significance in the moral and spiritual life of God's 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 livestock, 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 reveals God's considerate kindness by providing a day of rest not only for individuals but also for families, servants, and even animals, ensuring a rhythm of work and rest that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The Sabbath as a Covenant Sign The Sabbath also serves as a sign of the covenant between God and His people. In Exodus 31:16-17 , it is written, "The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it as a lasting covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed." This covenantal aspect highlights the special relationship between God and His people, with the Sabbath as a perpetual reminder of His creative power and sustaining grace. Jesus and the Sabbath In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the Sabbath's purpose, emphasizing mercy and compassion. 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." Here, Jesus underscores the Sabbath's role in serving humanity's needs, rather than being a burdensome legalistic requirement. His lordship over the Sabbath further illustrates God's kindness in providing rest and spiritual renewal. The Sabbath as a Foreshadowing of Rest The Sabbath also foreshadows the ultimate rest found in Christ. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His." This passage points to the spiritual rest and peace believers find in Jesus, who fulfills the Sabbath's promise of restoration and communion with God. In summary, the Sabbath is a testament to God's considerate kindness, offering a divinely appointed time for rest, worship, and reflection. It serves as a reminder of God's creative work, His covenantal relationship with His people, and the ultimate rest found in Christ. Through the Sabbath, God provides a rhythm of life that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, reflecting His love and care for all creation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 23:12Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest: that your ox and your ass may rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources Why does Exodus 35:2 require the death penalty for working on the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy? | GotQuestions.org Is Sunday the Christian Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org Sabbath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sabbath Day's Journey: About Two-Thousand Paces Sabbath: Observance of by John Sabbath: Observance of by Moses Sabbath: Observance of by Nehemiah Sabbath: Observance of by Paul Sabbath: Observance of by the Disciples Sabbath: Observance of by the Women Preparing to Embalm the Corpse of Jesus Sabbath: Religious Usages on The Sabbath: Signifying a Period of Rest Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sabbath: Violations of Gathering Manna Sabbath: Violations of Gathering Sticks Sabbath: Violations of Men of Tyre Sabbath: Violations of The Inhabitants of Jerusalem The Sabbath: A Sign of the Covenant The Sabbath: A Type of the Heavenly Rest The Sabbath: Blessedness of Honoring The Sabbath: Blessedness of Keeping The Sabbath: Called: God's Holy Day The Sabbath: Called: The Lord's Day The Sabbath: Called: The Rest of the Holy Sabbath The Sabbath: Called: The Sabbath of Rest The Sabbath: Called: The Sabbath of the Lord The Sabbath: Christ is Lord of The Sabbath: Christ was Accustomed to Observe The Sabbath: Christ: Taught On The Sabbath: Denunciations Against Those Who Profane The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Gatherers of Manna The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Gatherers of Sticks The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Inhabitants of Jerusalem The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Men of Tyre The Sabbath: Divine Worship to be Celebrated On The Sabbath: First Day of the Week Kept As, by the Church The Sabbath: God: Commanded to be Sanctified The Sabbath: God: Commanded, to be Kept The Sabbath: God: Shows Considerate Kindness in Appointing The Sabbath: God: Shows Favour in Appointing The Sabbath: God: Will Have his Goodness Commemorated in the Observance of The Sabbath: Grounds of Its Institution The Sabbath: Honoring of Disciples The Sabbath: Honoring of Moses The Sabbath: Honoring of Nehemiah The Sabbath: Honoring of The Women The Sabbath: Instituted by God The Sabbath: Necessary Wants May be Supplied The Sabbath: No Burdens to be Carried On The Sabbath: No Manner of Work to be Done On The Sabbath: No Purchases to be Made On The Sabbath: Observance of, to be Perpetual The Sabbath: Punishment of Those Who Profane The Sabbath: Saints: Honor God in Observing The Sabbath: Saints: Rejoice In The Sabbath: Saints: Testify Against Those Who Desecrate The Sabbath: Servants and Cattle should be Allowed to Rest Upon The Sabbath: The Scriptures to be Read On The Sabbath: The Seventh Day Observed As The Sabbath: The Wicked: Bear Burdens On The Sabbath: The Wicked: do Their own Pleasure On The Sabbath: The Wicked: Hide Their Eyes From The Sabbath: The Wicked: May be Judicially Deprived of The Sabbath: The Wicked: Mock At The Sabbath: The Wicked: Pollute The Sabbath: The Wicked: Profane The Sabbath: The Wicked: Sometimes Pretend to Zealous For The Sabbath: The Wicked: Traffic On The Sabbath: The Wicked: Wearied By The Sabbath: The Wicked: Work On The Sabbath: The Word of God to be Preached On The Sabbath: Works Connected With Religious Service Lawful On The Sabbath: Works of Mercy Lawful On Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |