The Sabbath

“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]

Commandment number 4.

You know what it interesting about this commandment? It was only first introduced in Exodus 16 in regard to the daily collection of manna!

He told them, “This is what the LORD commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the LORD. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” [Exodus 16.23]

Okay, so, here we go. I know a lot of folks have a lot of varying ideas about the Sabbath. I have my own as well. However, should we not treat the Sabbath just like every other topic in the Bible? Should we not at least consider the context in which it was introduced? I think so.

While most all agree that the Sabbath is a day of rest, I think few give consideration that the Sabbath, in its context, is also a day of provision! As long as Israel was in their wilderness journey, they had manna. As long as they were in the wilderness and had manna, they could gather a double portion every sixth day without it spoiling overnight. Every seventh day, Israel witnessed a miracle of God's provision FOR FORTY YEARS!

"Rest" is only part of the Sabbath's meaning! It was not meant to simply be seen as a day of taking naps! The Sabbath was very much a day of "resting" from human effort in order to NOT FORGET that God Provides!

We all need to be reminded that God alone is the giver of all good gifts. God alone is Provider. God alone sustains us. Sure, we do our work. But we must have a regular reminder that even with all our labor, it is God Who Provides!

Israel was not taught to work all week to build up supplies for the Sabbath! Instead, they were taught to make enough 'work' each day to eat that day (if they gathered too much manna, it spoiled overnight). Then, on the sixth day, they were indeed to gather twice as much and it miraculously did not spoil overnight. Every seven days, they experienced this same miracle - a miracle from God the Provider! Every seven days, they were reminded that it was God Who cared for them, and not their own efforts.

So, the meaning of "rest" on the Sabbath is more than just "renewing one's energy." It is about renewing one's faith in God Who Provides!

How does the Sabbath apply to us today? Simple: exactly like it applied for ancient Israel - we need to cease from our own efforts and SEE THE PROVISION OF OUR PROVIDER ...on purpose.

Admittedly, I don't know what that really looks like in our modern society. But shouldn't we seek to know? I am guessing a serious effort on our part to understand that our efforts are not what sustain us is the key.

Father, You are Provider! Thank You for the Sabbath and all it teaches us today.