The Fourth Commandment

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [Exodus 20.8-11]

As I read through the Ten Commandments today, It occurred to me just how brilliant they are. Not that I am qualified to judge the Ten Commandments, but I believe I am privileged to behold their depth and insight.

The Ten Commandments are profoundly simple, and yet, are capable of dealing with the most complex situations.

The Fourth Commandment above is an example of both depth and simplicity. In simplicity, it lays out one day, out of seven, that is to be observed as a day of rest. In complexity, it deals with all the societal intricacies of so doing.

The Fourth Commandment seems unobtainable. Mankind has so bent the scope of the Fourth Commandment that most who read it nowadays simply breeze right on past it as if it is antiquated and no longer valid. We read it as if God knows we cannot keep it and so it really doesn't apply to us. But is that so?

One might argue that our entire society would need an overhaul to comply with the Fourth Commandment! Who's fault is that?

Do we really think we can choose which of these Ten Commandments we will comply with and which we will not?

Even if we decided to fully comply with the Fourth Commandment, what would that look like today?

I don't know about anyone reading this post, but, I for one, am attracted to the idea of a day of complete rest. Our society is so complex in its workings that we not only have jobs to take care of, but we also have houses and personal things to take care of too. How in the world do we take care of both if we have to take a full day of rest (one out of every seven)? To me, there is a definite attraction to a simpler life. In days gone by (and a few self-employed occupations today) the lines between personal and occupational were (or are) non-existent. If a cobbler, who worked from home, sprang a leak in his roof, it was as much a part of his day's work to repair his own roof as it was to repair shoes for others.

For most Christians, we want to please God. But how do we so ignore the Fourth Commandment and think all is, and will be, well?

Father, I obviously have more contemplation to do over this question. Help me to take a hard look at myself and the society in which I am part of. Help me to respond to You in the way that most pleases You.