How to Honor the Sabbath
Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. Exodus 31:14 NASB
Work – In an internet article titled “How to Honor the Sabbath” we find the following claim: “The Sabbath is, above all, a day of complete rest both from our occupation in earning a living and from any activity that would cause physical exertion and draw us away from the purpose of this day. It is a day to be spent exclusively honoring Yahweh and His Son.”[1] Biblical references for this claim include the passage from Exodus 31, Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:8-11. Of course, we can see that the author has extended the original meaning of the Exodus passage by including a reference to the Messiah, but the intention is appropriate. The Sabbath is a day of rest. The only question is this, “What does rest mean?”
You will notice that the author claims rest is the equivalent of ceasing from any activity “that would cause physical exertion.” But reflection on this broad definition quickly demonstrates its fallacy. Anything that causes physical exertion would include opening your eyes upon waking, getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, urinating, getting dressed or any number of ordinary necessary daily actions. Even if these were exempted, the list doesn’t stop there. Reading God’s Word takes physical exertion (turning a page, for example). Praying takes physical exertion. Singing psalms takes physical exertion. Obviously, the author did not intend to exclude these actions. Nevertheless, he does so by overstating the prohibition of work. The overstated command offers the same opening provided by Havvah’s overstatement in Genesis 3. Just like Adam (or Havvah), building a fence around the Torah mitzvah can actually diminish or even destroy the credibility of the instruction. Imagine trying to explain to someone who is not Torah-observant that the prohibition of work on the Sabbath includes all physical exertion. The ridiculous nature of such a command removes the credibility of God’s word by making God’s commandment a farce. Lesson Number One: state what God requires precisely, no more, no less.
We recently investigated the fact that the word translated “work” in this verse and in the related verses about prohibitions on the Sabbath is not avodah, the usual word for physical exertion (work), nor is it the contrasting ‘amal or yaga’ (toil). It is mela’ka, from the assumed root l’k, the same root that produces mal’ak (messenger) and mal’akut (message) and is often used to describe angels as messengers. Mela’ka is not any physical exertion, but rather those actions that are involved in creative projects, particularly those requiring skills and benefits. God ceased from His craftsmanship on the seventh day. He ceased bringing something new into existence by fashioning prior substances. He rested from creativity that had benefit. Sabbath is a day of rest from creative activity in order to honor God’s finished creative work. By ceasing to produce whatever is newly fashioned on this day, we acknowledge the sovereignty of the Creator who brought all that is into existence. It is ultimately all His work even if we are involved in fashioning it.
Of course, there are other more specific prohibitions. But we should not extend these ideas to include more than what is commanded. To do so casts God’s word in bad light and allows His word to be challenged. We do what He says. That’s all. That’s enough. If we wish to extend the range of the mitzvah so that we find application in our particular circumstances, then let us do so with caution and tolerance for the extension is opinion, not text. To honor the Sabbath with more than the exact meaning of the word requires a consensual, communal agreement that we will follow while acknowledging that it really is more. In other words, more is still good as long as we understand what we are doing and agree to it.
Topical Index: Shabbat, rest, work, Exodus 31:14, mela’ka
[1] Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry
The Rest of the Story
What is the Sabbath day? (not “when!”) ~ Six days shall you labor ~ (Now let me see, 40hrs divided by six days =). ~ But on the seventh day God (Himself) rested/ceased from all his labors.~ God (Himself) “took a day off!” He “recreated.”
I, the frail, fragile human creature, am not a machine. Even though an “ex-Marine,” – the (once) lean green machine, (lol!)- I am (along with MLK) a “man.” A man who needs rest. “Get some rest, Pam, -you look tired!” What? U2?
Life, in very simple and basic terms, is a three-legged stool. Diet, exercise and?.. Rest.
~ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them,
~ Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest ~ (Mark 6.31)
How grateful I am for these, His words. And how grateful I am for the rest He has promised to the “people of God..”
~ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God ~ (Hebrews 4.9 KJV)
Even greater than this wonderful “day” of rest.. is this “rest that remains!” Down periscope, -it is time to dive into this! What is this “rest that remains?”- and NEVER goes away?
It is joy “in the midst” of sorrow, it is healing “in the midst” of pain, it is peace “in the midst” of the storm, it is love where love does not exist, it is “a table prepared for me “in the midst” of mine enemies, – it is the “cup that overflows!” In short (?) it is our Bible-based foundational “assurance” or confidence in the promises of God. God cannot (ever) lie! (Numbers 23.19) His Word (both written and Living!) is true and tested and sure. A sure foundation. This “rest” is based upon these three (most happy) words: “it is written!” and a Name which is above all names! This Name is “Faithful and True!” -(Semper Fi- “Always Faithful!”) And dear ones, He has been faithful to me!
I do not want to appear to be short or crass, but allow me, if you will, this attempt to illustrate..
The people of God have a problem. There is no water or no food or the dark, threatening enemy approaches. There is a problem and a crisis. (Too much month at the end of the money?) The children are ill or the wife is not feeling well? Some form of storm.. A crisis, or a trauma or some “drama!” I am (please) NOT attempting to trivialize the very real problems of people, for He has promised, (the ONE who never lies!), ~ in this world, (the one we ALL live in)- you (sir or m’am) will (WILL) have tribulation! ~
Therefore, we may EXPECT trouble. We may EXPECT to be “tribulated.” We (as in all of us) may expect to be tried and tested. It IS going to happen! None, that are born of woman, are exempt. From the uttermost to the guttermost, sorrow,pain and affliction are part of the equation… BUT!!…
May I? I don’t usually do this, BUT!!- sometimes you just gotta say it loud and say it clear- (you can listen as well as you hear..) NOW HEAR THIS!! (again, -for the first time..)
*BUT*!! ~ Be of good cheer, (huh?)- I have already overcome the world.. ~(John 16.33) This, dear friends, IS the “Rest of the story!!”
Christ, our Messiah.. Christ the Anointed, Christ our Redeemer and the Lamb sent from God has (already) overcome! V is for Victory!- It is ours through Christ our LORD!
Sin? Defeated. Satan? Defeated. Sorrow? Defeated. Death? Dethroned. Victorious Warrior! Master and Commander – our Sovereign saving “seeing” (El Roi) Savior, and my Deliverer! My LORD and my God!
Oh, the gospel (good news) that is ours! Please be patient!- God is not finished with me yet!- (But!..)
~ Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ~ (Philippians 1.6)
Let us remember and review Hebrews chapter 11. Here we find the Hebrew hall of fame. (Will my name or yours also be listed among these luminaries?)
How did they do it? How did they “conquer?” How did they “make it” to the other side? How did they “enter in?” – You already know it!- and so do I..
“by faith.”
~ For we (now, today) live by faith and NOT by sight.. ~ (2 Corinthians 5.7)
~ I (too) have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer “I” who live, (goodbye “self”..) but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me ~ (Galatians 2.20)
Resting in my Savior as my all in all..(and)
Standing on the promises of God
Be still, my soul: the LORD is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the LORD.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy LORD on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
I appreciate your insights about the 7th day Sabbath. What do you do with other scriptures about the 7th day Sabbath such as Ex. 16:22-27 (do we then cook enough on Friday for both the 6th and 7th day in preparation for Sabbath and not cook on the Sabbath?); Numbers 15:32-34 (should we be gathering provisions on the Sabbath such as shopping); Ex. 20:10 (is it ok to pay someone else to work for you on the Sabbath such as restaurant workers?); Neh.10:32 (was Nehemiah understanding more about what to do or not do from the scriptures than we do today about buying on the Sabbath or was he adding to YHVH’s instructions or “building a fence”?).
Sincerely,
Nita
Carl – “what is the Sabbath day – not ‘when?'”
When is not in question as the DAY is clearly defined as the 7th day — the only day with a name. All other times that you choose to rest you may refer to as “resting in God” but they cannot — by definition — be the Shabbat.
“If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call Shabbat a delight, Adonai’s holy day, worth honoring; then honor it by not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them. If you do, you will find delight in Adonai — I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Ya`akov, for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14 CJB)
What is the Sabbath day? (not “when!”)
Another attempt to redefine, add, and adjust things to man’s viewpoint?
So I guess, also, that one particular dietary law didn’t mean DON’T eat the pig, just I’d RATHER you not?
Havvah said, “Don’t even TOUCH THAT tree?” Really?
As we read and study the entire Torah our understanding of Shabbat will be more defined. Year after year, Abba will work with us to mature our understanding. Isa. 58:13-14 is an important promise to those who honor His Word concerning the Shabbat in particular, but clearly ALL of His Word is in view(Good reference, Suzanne!). Shabbat is a sign between us and Him in a similar manner as our wedding rings are a sign to our spouse and are the readily seen evidence that we honor the whole of the marriage covenant.
More good stuff Skip, toda.