Sabbath
Rest. The seventh and last day of each week.
From the beginning of creation, Yahweh both blessed and set this day apart from every other day.
Here we will look at His view of the Sabbath and whether or not a believer in the "New" Covenant is still to keep this day set apart.
What is the Sabbath day?
When is the Sabbath day?
Why is the Sabbath day important?
How do we keep the Sabbath day?
"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array.
And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day
from all His work which He had made.
And Elohim blessed the seventh day and made it set apart because on it He rested
from all His work which Elohim in creating had made."
- Genesis 2:1-3
From the beginning of creation, Yahweh both blessed and set this day apart from every other day.
Here we will look at His view of the Sabbath and whether or not a believer in the "New" Covenant is still to keep this day set apart.
What is the Sabbath day?
When is the Sabbath day?
Why is the Sabbath day important?
How do we keep the Sabbath day?
"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array.
And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day
from all His work which He had made.
And Elohim blessed the seventh day and made it set apart because on it He rested
from all His work which Elohim in creating had made."
- Genesis 2:1-3
What is the Sabbath day?
The word for Sabbath in Hebrew is 'shabath' meaning, "to rest; desist from exertion; cause to cease, celebrate, keep."
When we read in Genesis 2:2 that Yahweh rested on the seventh day it literally says,
"and He shabath on the seventh day from all His work which He had made."
The Creator of the universe who spoke everything into existence did not need the rest. So why does it say that He did?
Most likely as an example for us.
Messiah said in Mark 2:27,
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."
The Sabbath is a day of rest, for both body and mind. It is a picture of the eternal rest that we have in Him.
It is the day He set aside for us to gather on and meet with Him.
When we read in Genesis 2:2 that Yahweh rested on the seventh day it literally says,
"and He shabath on the seventh day from all His work which He had made."
The Creator of the universe who spoke everything into existence did not need the rest. So why does it say that He did?
Most likely as an example for us.
Messiah said in Mark 2:27,
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."
The Sabbath is a day of rest, for both body and mind. It is a picture of the eternal rest that we have in Him.
It is the day He set aside for us to gather on and meet with Him.
When is the Sabbath day?
As we've already read the Sabbath is the seventh day of each and every week. While that seems pretty cut and dry there are many people who keep other days of the week as sabbath saying they have that "liberty in Christ". Others argue that there's no way to tell when the actual seventh day of the week is because the calendars have changed since the time of the creation week. Let's look at that point first.
Did the changes in the calendar over the centuries actually make it impossible for us to tell when the seventh day of the week, that was given at creation, really is? And what are we talking about with all this calendar changing business?
While the calendars that man has used throughout time have changed, the weekly seven day cycle has not. In the time that Yahshua was here the Julian calendar was in use. The calendar dates back to 45BC, several decades before Messiah walked on earth. As record shows the calendar kept the seven day cycle from the time it began until 1582 when pope Gregory initiated a change. The reason for the change was that the Julian calendar was a quarter hour too long each year. By 1582 there were 10 extra days that had accumulated at the end of each year so Gregory made the change to correct this error in the system.
On October of 1582 the Gregorian calendar took over the Julian. When this happened it changed the dates but not the seven day cycle. In October, 1582, Thursday the 4th was followed by Friday the 15th. The days of the week stayed the same while only the dates changed.
This took place in Italy and a few other countries at the time. Both England and America changed their calendars in 1752 and Russia not until 1914. Once again, though, the days of the week remained the same while only the dates changed.
So even though the number of days and weeks in a month, weeks and months in a year, and the number of days in a year have changed the number of days in a week have never changed.
In fact, the only reason we have a seven day week is because of Yahweh creating that pattern in the very beginning.
The Jewish people have kept the seven day week and the seventh day Sabbath since the time of Moses some 3500 years ago! That alone is historical proof enough of this weekly cycle that we keep today. However, there are hundreds of languages that bear witness to this historical fact. Most of these tongues number the first six days of the week in the same pattern as Elohim created and called them. Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc...
A man by the name of William Jones, a researcher from England who lived some 150 years ago, found many of these languages and their relevance to pointing out the Scriptural Sabbath day as commanded by "God" (Elohim).
Here is a link to a site where you can read some of these weeks and the region they were found.
http://www.angelfire.com/la2/prophet1/sabbath2.html
Both the Scriptural and secular historical accounts validate that the seventh day of the week has remained the same throughout the history of this planet.
Now looking at the first point that people will often make: "I keep my sabbath on another day". Essentially this statement is made because many believe that Messiah changed the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week (sun-day). However, there is no Scriptural account of this change (See our "Sabbath Or Sunday" article for more on this). First of all, if Yahshua did change the Sabbath then He would not be the true Messiah. In Deuteronomy 13 Yahweh tells Moses to teach the children of Israel how to tell a false prophet from a true one. He said that if any prophet or dreamer gives any kind of sign or wonder, and even if the sign or wonder comes true but they entice people to turn from the commandments of Yahweh then that prophet or dreamer is false. They were to be killed. He went on to say that if even a family member entices loved ones to follow after other gods and turn away from the commandments of Yahweh, they too were to be killed so that the evil was put away. Yahweh repeatedly warned His people to keep HIS commandments and listen to His voice.
Later in Deuteronomy 18:18-19 we read of Yahweh telling His people that He would send them a Prophet like Moses. This Prophet would speak only the words of Yahweh and all that He commanded Him. He also says,
"And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him."
Messiah came speaking only the words of Yahweh and nothing more, "Jesus" as many know Him, did not come to change the Law of Yahweh and that includes the Sabbath day. If He had then that would have disqualified Him as the Messiah, that true Prophet Yahweh was sending to His people, and hence our Savior.
"And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!'"
- Luke 9:36
Did the changes in the calendar over the centuries actually make it impossible for us to tell when the seventh day of the week, that was given at creation, really is? And what are we talking about with all this calendar changing business?
While the calendars that man has used throughout time have changed, the weekly seven day cycle has not. In the time that Yahshua was here the Julian calendar was in use. The calendar dates back to 45BC, several decades before Messiah walked on earth. As record shows the calendar kept the seven day cycle from the time it began until 1582 when pope Gregory initiated a change. The reason for the change was that the Julian calendar was a quarter hour too long each year. By 1582 there were 10 extra days that had accumulated at the end of each year so Gregory made the change to correct this error in the system.
On October of 1582 the Gregorian calendar took over the Julian. When this happened it changed the dates but not the seven day cycle. In October, 1582, Thursday the 4th was followed by Friday the 15th. The days of the week stayed the same while only the dates changed.
This took place in Italy and a few other countries at the time. Both England and America changed their calendars in 1752 and Russia not until 1914. Once again, though, the days of the week remained the same while only the dates changed.
So even though the number of days and weeks in a month, weeks and months in a year, and the number of days in a year have changed the number of days in a week have never changed.
In fact, the only reason we have a seven day week is because of Yahweh creating that pattern in the very beginning.
The Jewish people have kept the seven day week and the seventh day Sabbath since the time of Moses some 3500 years ago! That alone is historical proof enough of this weekly cycle that we keep today. However, there are hundreds of languages that bear witness to this historical fact. Most of these tongues number the first six days of the week in the same pattern as Elohim created and called them. Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc...
A man by the name of William Jones, a researcher from England who lived some 150 years ago, found many of these languages and their relevance to pointing out the Scriptural Sabbath day as commanded by "God" (Elohim).
Here is a link to a site where you can read some of these weeks and the region they were found.
http://www.angelfire.com/la2/prophet1/sabbath2.html
Both the Scriptural and secular historical accounts validate that the seventh day of the week has remained the same throughout the history of this planet.
Now looking at the first point that people will often make: "I keep my sabbath on another day". Essentially this statement is made because many believe that Messiah changed the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week (sun-day). However, there is no Scriptural account of this change (See our "Sabbath Or Sunday" article for more on this). First of all, if Yahshua did change the Sabbath then He would not be the true Messiah. In Deuteronomy 13 Yahweh tells Moses to teach the children of Israel how to tell a false prophet from a true one. He said that if any prophet or dreamer gives any kind of sign or wonder, and even if the sign or wonder comes true but they entice people to turn from the commandments of Yahweh then that prophet or dreamer is false. They were to be killed. He went on to say that if even a family member entices loved ones to follow after other gods and turn away from the commandments of Yahweh, they too were to be killed so that the evil was put away. Yahweh repeatedly warned His people to keep HIS commandments and listen to His voice.
Later in Deuteronomy 18:18-19 we read of Yahweh telling His people that He would send them a Prophet like Moses. This Prophet would speak only the words of Yahweh and all that He commanded Him. He also says,
"And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him."
Messiah came speaking only the words of Yahweh and nothing more, "Jesus" as many know Him, did not come to change the Law of Yahweh and that includes the Sabbath day. If He had then that would have disqualified Him as the Messiah, that true Prophet Yahweh was sending to His people, and hence our Savior.
"And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!'"
- Luke 9:36
Why is the Sabbath day Important?
Since the seventh day of each week was made for us to rest on we inevitably have to look at "why". However, the answer is in the question: it's simply because our Creator made it for us and says to keep it. That is very important!
We have to realize that when Yahweh says to do something we have the choice of whether or not we will obey. Of course, if we choose to disobey this results in cursing (Deuteronomy 28) which is a natural result of sin. Our heavenly Father knows what's best for us and what can do us harm.
We know from common sense and countless scientific studies that our bodies and brains need rest. There has also been mounting evidence that our physical bodies as well as our minds specifically benefit from resting one day out of every seven. However, based off this premise alone people choose to rest on any day they like, when He specifically says the "seventh day" of each week. Everything our Creator tells us to do is for our good.
So while we can see the importance of resting our bodies one day of the week what about our minds?
Since the mind of our flesh is in constant rebellion to Elohim we must realize that resting on the Sabbath is about more than just our bodies. Our spirits need rest as well. A retreat from the cares of this world, so-to-speak. The commandment says that we have six days in which to do all our work but the seventh day is a day of rest. Six days of not only physical work, but what about all the stress, demands, and obstacles that come our way throughout the week? These can be quite taxing on our minds and hearts. Certainly there are some issues that we must deal with, even on the Sabbath, but for the most part we have been given a day every week to set aside the troubles of this world and rehearse for the Day we will be with our Savior.
Okay, so the benefits of resting on the Sabbath are many, but is rest the only reason for Him giving us this day?
"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep,
for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations,
that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you."
- Exodus 31:13
Clearly Yah is giving His people a commandment here that the Sabbath is about far more than physical or mental rest.
The Sabbath is a sign between Him and His people. A reminder that HE is the One who cleanses us from our lawless deeds.
Unlike the nations who war against Him, His people are to submit to His ways, rulings, statutes, and commandments.
Making the distinction between the ways of our King and the ways of this world is what we are to be about in our walk.
We have to realize that when Yahweh says to do something we have the choice of whether or not we will obey. Of course, if we choose to disobey this results in cursing (Deuteronomy 28) which is a natural result of sin. Our heavenly Father knows what's best for us and what can do us harm.
We know from common sense and countless scientific studies that our bodies and brains need rest. There has also been mounting evidence that our physical bodies as well as our minds specifically benefit from resting one day out of every seven. However, based off this premise alone people choose to rest on any day they like, when He specifically says the "seventh day" of each week. Everything our Creator tells us to do is for our good.
So while we can see the importance of resting our bodies one day of the week what about our minds?
Since the mind of our flesh is in constant rebellion to Elohim we must realize that resting on the Sabbath is about more than just our bodies. Our spirits need rest as well. A retreat from the cares of this world, so-to-speak. The commandment says that we have six days in which to do all our work but the seventh day is a day of rest. Six days of not only physical work, but what about all the stress, demands, and obstacles that come our way throughout the week? These can be quite taxing on our minds and hearts. Certainly there are some issues that we must deal with, even on the Sabbath, but for the most part we have been given a day every week to set aside the troubles of this world and rehearse for the Day we will be with our Savior.
Okay, so the benefits of resting on the Sabbath are many, but is rest the only reason for Him giving us this day?
"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep,
for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations,
that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you."
- Exodus 31:13
Clearly Yah is giving His people a commandment here that the Sabbath is about far more than physical or mental rest.
The Sabbath is a sign between Him and His people. A reminder that HE is the One who cleanses us from our lawless deeds.
Unlike the nations who war against Him, His people are to submit to His ways, rulings, statutes, and commandments.
Making the distinction between the ways of our King and the ways of this world is what we are to be about in our walk.
How Do We Keep the Sabbath Day?
So how do we keep such a day as unto the Master?
Physical rest is an obvious conclusion, and so is setting aside the mental challenges of work. However, there is so much more.
The Sabbath day that Yahweh gives us is about far more than just laying around and sleeping. The eternal rest that we have in Messiah must echo throughout our lives especially on His Sabbath day.
The question we must ask is, "How did Messiah keep the Sabbath day?"
Looking at the examples we find in Scripture Messiah kept the Sabbath as was originally intended. He did no work on that day (as in laborious work) and He constantly taught the truth to those who held on to their traditions and commandments that either added to or took away from His Word. Many times we find Yahshua confronting the religious leaders of the day about their doctrines which opposed the teachings of Yahweh.
We also find that He healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed many other miracles. The religious leaders thought that He was breaking the Torah and Sabbath because they considered the things He was doing as "work". In reality, yes, the very miracles and healings that Messiah performed were work! However, it was the work of the Father and not weekly, laborious work as the Commandment says to abstain from on the Sabbath, that Messiah was about doing. The Pharisees, scribes and others were in delusion because they had added to and taken away from the very Scriptures they were all too familiar with. The living Word, who stood in front of them, could not be seen by them because of their blindness in disobedience to Yahweh's Torah. Their additions and subtractions were a perversion of the pure Torah of Yahweh.
So again, how do we keep the Sabbath? By walking as Messiah walked, looking unto Him as our example. We are to cease from our labors and rest. We are to gather with fellow believers because the Sabbath is an appointed time by Yahweh. We are also to be about His work in the lives of those who need to see and hear Him.
By constantly holding what we do and say up to the light of our Creator's word we will see more clearly how to keep His ways and walk in His paths, being thankful that we can rest in Him.
Physical rest is an obvious conclusion, and so is setting aside the mental challenges of work. However, there is so much more.
The Sabbath day that Yahweh gives us is about far more than just laying around and sleeping. The eternal rest that we have in Messiah must echo throughout our lives especially on His Sabbath day.
The question we must ask is, "How did Messiah keep the Sabbath day?"
Looking at the examples we find in Scripture Messiah kept the Sabbath as was originally intended. He did no work on that day (as in laborious work) and He constantly taught the truth to those who held on to their traditions and commandments that either added to or took away from His Word. Many times we find Yahshua confronting the religious leaders of the day about their doctrines which opposed the teachings of Yahweh.
We also find that He healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed many other miracles. The religious leaders thought that He was breaking the Torah and Sabbath because they considered the things He was doing as "work". In reality, yes, the very miracles and healings that Messiah performed were work! However, it was the work of the Father and not weekly, laborious work as the Commandment says to abstain from on the Sabbath, that Messiah was about doing. The Pharisees, scribes and others were in delusion because they had added to and taken away from the very Scriptures they were all too familiar with. The living Word, who stood in front of them, could not be seen by them because of their blindness in disobedience to Yahweh's Torah. Their additions and subtractions were a perversion of the pure Torah of Yahweh.
So again, how do we keep the Sabbath? By walking as Messiah walked, looking unto Him as our example. We are to cease from our labors and rest. We are to gather with fellow believers because the Sabbath is an appointed time by Yahweh. We are also to be about His work in the lives of those who need to see and hear Him.
By constantly holding what we do and say up to the light of our Creator's word we will see more clearly how to keep His ways and walk in His paths, being thankful that we can rest in Him.