REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY

The six days of creation were followed with a day when God ‘rested’, and based on that original pattern He introduced the sabbath for His people Israel. The command was as binding as any other precept and rest from work was for family, servants, animals and strangers. ‘The sabbath was made for man’, Mark 2. 27, an indication that relentless activity is quite unhealthy. A workaholic, who is committed ‘24/7’, endangers the health of mind and body: rest, and a change of routine are scriptural!

Of all the ten commandments this is the only one that is never restated under any guise in the New Testament. That is because it was ‘a sign’ between God and the people of Israel, Exod. 31. 13,17. It was a feature that marked that nation out as being different from others round about and to disregard it was a capital offence. A man who gathered sticks on the sabbath day forfeited his life, Num. 15. 32-36. In Nehemiah’s day, gentile traders loitered outside Jerusalem expecting some business on the sabbath and they were severely threatened, Neh. 13. 21. The distinctiveness of Israel’s religious life had to be maintained.

Sadly, in the days of our Lord, the Pharisees pushed the demands of the commandment beyond what was reasonable and kind, but the Lord Jesus demonstrated regularly that deeds of necessity and mercy were legitimate, even on the sabbath day.

In the New Testament, the emphasis moved from the sab­bath to the first day of the week. It was on the first day of the week that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead: it was on the first day of the week that the Holy Spirit descended. On the first day of the week believers met to break bread, Acts 20. 7, and it was then that they had to ‘lay by (them) in store’ as far as collections were concerned, 1 Cor. 16. 2. For believers, the first day of the week has never carried the same restrictions as the sabbath, but, until now, many generations in the western world have shown respect for the day, regarding it as ‘the Lord’s day’, Rev. 1. 10. Let its hours be used to maximum advantage in His interests, both in worship and in service. Better that than to be involved in the commerce or leisure activities which are now the main features of the day.