Introduction
The seventh day of the week is the day the Creator set apart and blessed for holy use. It is the Sabbath of the Lord and was made for the good of humanity. The Sabbath is a sign of God’s people, and also shows God as a merciful God who is interested in the freedom of His people. The will of God, therefore, is to make the day a delight, a time of celebration, and a rehearsal of the wonderful future He has for man. In this study, we will be looking at how to keep the Sabbath holy and how to make it a delight.
This study was prepared in form of questions and comments, it is important to study all the scriptural references, make personal notes from them, and then read the comments that followed the question. All scriptural references are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. The keyword or words in the reference verses are highlighted for you to have words to think and meditate upon.
To gain the knowledge God intends, asked Him to open your understanding to the scriptures you read. Remove your mind from any preconceived opinion and focus on what the scriptures say. Be like the Bereans Christians who studied the scriptures to be sure what they heard were true. Believe the Word of God, prove it and hold fast to it, because it is true.
May your heart be blessed as you study diligently.
Contents
1. What does the word Sabbath mean?
2. Why is the Sabbath significant?
3. What does it mean to sanctify?
4. What is the general principle of keeping the Sabbath holy?
5. How do we make the Sabbath a delight and keep it Holy?
6. What is the key to getting ready and organized for the Sabbath?
7. Will God tell people to do what is not possible?
Questions and Comments
1. What does the word Sabbath mean?
See Matthew Henry Concordance H7676 and H7673, and in Greek, see G4521.
Comment
Sabbath, pronounced “Shab-bawth” means to cease labor, or stop from creating, or to rest from labor. Sabbath is from Hebrew origin, and it is a day of weekly repose (rest) from secular avocations (regular occupation, calling, or vocation).
2. Why is the Sabbath significant?
Read Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 31:12-17
Comment
1. It is a sign of who the true God is – The creator of heaven and earth, and the God who has chosen Israel, Exodus 31:12-17
2. The Sabbath is the means by which man’s way of life imitates God’s. God rested and he wants all men to do the same, Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 23:12
3. The Sabbath is a sign between God and the Children of Israel (God’s people), Exodus 31:12-17
4. The Sabbath belongs to God. He says my Sabbath, not Mosses’, Exodus 31:12-17
5. The Sabbath sanctifies (set apart as holy) those who keep it, making them distinct from others, Exodus 31:12-17
6. The Sabbath is a day of delight, to think and enjoy the accomplishments of God. Psalms 92, Isaiah 58:13, Hosea 2:11
7. The Sabbath shows the goodness of God as one who delights in the freedom from of the people he has created from bondage. It shows the ultimate plan of Salvation for man, and a gift from God for people to practice and celebrate rest, that is salvation. Deuteronomy 5:13-15
8. It is a time of public convocation. The time to gather and worship the God who created all things. Which include a time of prayer, meditation, and hearing the law, Leviticus 23:3, Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12, Leviticus 10:11, Deuteronomy 14:29, 33:10
9. Obeying the law brings God’s blessings and keep those who keep it. Deuteronomy 28, Ezekiel 20:11, 13
10. The Sabbath is a memorial of God’s creation, Exodus 20:11, Genesis 2:1,2
11. The Sabbath was made for the good of humanity, Mark 2:27
12. Sabbath is the test commandment of our allegiance and loyalty to God, Exodus 16:4
13. It is a commandment to be kept forever, Exodus 31:16
Scriptural References
Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it, you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
Exodus 31:12-17, “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak also 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 the LORD who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, 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. Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
Exodus 23:12, “Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day, you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.”
3. What does it mean to sanctify?
Read Genesis 2:3, Exodus 20:11
Comment
The Hebrew word translated to sanctified in Genesis chapter 2 verse 3 is “qadash”, pronounced “law-dash”. It means to make clean, to consecrate, to dedicate, to keep holy, to purify, or to hallow. It literally means to separate something from secular, or sinful, or earthly, or common for a sacred, or holy, or heavenly purpose. If we apply this to the Sabbath as a day God sanctified, it means that God separated the Sabbath from common to holy use.
Scriptural References
Genesis 2:3, “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”
Exodus 20:11, “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
4. What is the general principle of keeping the Sabbath holy?
Read Isaiah 58:13
Comment
The general principle of keeping the Sabbath holy is refraining from doing our own pleasures (desires). It involves “not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them” as Complete Jewish Bible puts it. The Sabbath is God’s holy time and should be used for His glory.
Scriptural references
Isaiah 58:13, “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,”
Yesha ‘yahu (Isa) 58:13 CJB, “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.”
5. How do we make the Sabbath a delight and keep it Holy?
Read Isaiah 58:13
Comment
The observance of the Sabbath is not about the do’s and don’ts but having the desire to please your Maker. God does not want us to obey him out of fear or compulsion, but out of love for him. The bible says if we love him, we will obey him. The following are what we are commanded to do to make the Sabbath a delight. Again, the general rule is refraining from doing your own pleasures or desires, and your attention should be focused on the Lord. Let your attitude be like that of Mary the sister Martha in Luke 10:38-42. It reads “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
I. Cease all regular work.
The Sabbath is God’s holy day and he commanded that all regular occupation, calling, or vocation should cease, therefore all business meetings should stop. The Sabbath is not a day for buying and selling, so it is not for grocery shopping. It is not the time to engage in the household laundry, cleaning, repair, petty renovation, gardening, or sporting activities. This rule applies to your household, workers, or the visitors in your house. Doing work on the Sabbath profanes it. Read Exodus 20:8-10, Deuteronomy 5:12-14, Leviticus 23:3, Jeremiah 17:21-22, Nehemiah 10:31, Nehemiah 13:15-20,
Scriptural references
Exodus 20:8-10, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it, you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.”
Deuteronomy 5:12-14, “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.”
Leviticus 23:3, “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”
Jeremiah 17:21-22, “Thus says the LORD: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”
Nehemiah 10:31, “if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.”
Nehemiah 13:15-20, “In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.” So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.”
II. Assemble with other believers to worship God
The Sabbath is a time of holy convocation. The Hebrew word translated convocation is “Miqra”, pronounced mik-raw, meaning a public meeting, rehearsal, or assembly. So, the Sabbath is the time to gather publicly to worship the God who created all things. The public assembly includes time of prayer, reading, and hearing the word of God.
And when you come to meet your maker, let it with the mind to worship Him alone, and bless Him with your substance according to how He has blessed you. Put on your best, but with modesty, knowing that you are coming before the creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe. Avoid revealing dresses, come to His presence with dresses that will glorify Him and not pointing unnecessary attention to you and causing a distraction in the place of worship. Let your adornment be in the inside. Read Leviticus 23:3, Hebrews 10:25, H4744.
Scriptural references
Leviticus 23:3, “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”
I Timothy 2:9, “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,”
I Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Mark 1:21-22, “Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Mark 6:2, “And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!”
Luke 4:16, “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.”
Luke 4:31, “Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.”
Luke 6:6, “Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.”
Luke 13:10, “Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.”
Acts 13:14-15, “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
Acts 17:1-3, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went into them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
Acts 18:4, “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.”
III. Create time for Personal devotion
The Sabbath a good for time for personal devotion, meditation, and study of God’s word. Take time to pray and study, ask God questions and let His Spirit lead you into the truth. Read books and listen to audio or video messages. Have a personal fellowship with your maker.
IV. Make it a Family time of fellowship
The Sabbath makes it possible for the family to come together for fellowship. So, the Sabbath should a time of family devotion. It a wonderful opportunity to teach and train your child in God’s way as He commanded. It a wonderful time to Let your child know why you keep the Sabbath and how this relates to the coming kingdom of God. A time to Teach them the commandments of God, pray with them, and bless them. It gives the children the opportunity to practice prayer, meditation, Bible reading, singing of hymns and learning new ones. Read Proverbs 22:6, Genesis 18: 18-19, Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
Scriptural references
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
V. Do good, have mercy, and set free as opportunities present.
The Sabbath is a day to do good as the Messiah demonstrated to us. The attitude is not that you are going about looking for someone to help, but as the opportunity presents itself. Let take for example, you are on your way to the Sabbath service on a snowy day, and you come across someone whose car was stuck in the snow and needed help to push the car out, or someone needing help with a flat tire, or someone needing direction to a place, or calling the police to an accident or incident you happen to first come across. Visit the sick brethren, encourage brethren facing a difficult moment and the like. Read John 9:14-16
Scriptural references
Matthew 12:11-12, “Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Mark 3:4-5, “Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.”
Luke 13:15-16, “The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
Luke 14:3-6, “And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” And they could not answer Him regarding these things.”
VI. Take time to rest
The Sabbath is a day to physically and mentally rest, therefore take time to rest. Relax, have a nap if you need to. Do not allow your mind to worry or wonder about the affairs of this life, give all your burdens to the Lord. Avoid the use of social media and unnecessary phone calls. Avoid murmuring, and clock watching.
Scriptural references
Leviticus 23:3
“Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”
Jeremiah 17:21-22
“Thus says the LORD: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”
VII. Rejoice and be glad in it.
The Sabbath is a day to think, enjoy, and rejoice in the accomplishments of God. Sing songs or listen to music and praise God from a grateful heart. Enjoy a good meal and create a celebration atmosphere in your home. It is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24, Psalms 92, Isaiah 58:13, Psalms 9:1-2, Philippians 4:4
Scriptural references
Psalms 118:24, “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 40:16, “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!”
Psalms 9:1-2, “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalms 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Psalms 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
I Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always,”
Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Deuteronomy 16:14, “And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.”
Deuteronomy 26:11, “So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.”
6. What is the key to getting ready and organized for the Sabbath?
Read Exodus 16:23, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54
Comment
The main key to get organized for the Sabbath is preparing yourself ahead of time. Friday before sunset is called the preparation day and is the time to think and plan ahead before the Sabbath. Buy what you need to buy before sundown on Friday. Plan your meals ahead, get your dress ready, and make sure your vehicle in good conditions if you will be driving to the Sabbath service.
Scriptural references
Exodus 16:23, “Then he said to them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.”
Mark 15:42, “Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,”
Luke 23:54, “That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.”
7. Will God tell people to do what is not possible?
Read 1 John 5:3, Romans 7:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 11:30, Philippians 4:13
Comment
God will never tell you to do what He knows you can’t do because He is your maker. The moment you don’t trust in your own understanding, and by faith, you go to Him for help, He will help you. The Sabbath command is a test command on whom your allegiance is, whether is to God, the Creator or to man, the created.
Scriptural references
I John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
Romans 7:12, “Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.”
I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Matthew 11:30, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;”
Psalms 118:8, “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.”
Conclusion
The Sabbath sanctifies those who keep it. It set apart (separate) God’s people from the rest of the world and identifies them as people who belong to the Almighty Creator of the universe. At the time God gave his commandments to Israel, they are the only nation God had revealed Himself. So, it was either Israel, God’s nation, or the Gentile nations (strangers or aliens as the scriptures put it). God choose Israel as His first-born nation to show to the Gentiles nations (whom He will call later) His ways and commandments, and that through Israel all nations of the earth will know Him. And at that time, there will be one law, including the Sabbath commandment, guiding all nations of the earth. God wants all believers to have the same mind, believe and speak same things. And obviously, from the scripture observe the same day. God is not an author of confusion. Please read the following scriptures – Exodus 31:12-13, 17; Ezekiel 20:12, 20, Exodus 4:22, Isaiah 60:3, Exodus 12:49, Numbers 15:15-16, John 17: 20-21.
The Sabbath is a weekly shadow (rehearsal) and a reminder of what God’s plan of peace for this World that has not known true peace and rest for almost six thousand years. The millennial reign of Christ is the beginning of the seventh day of God where true peace will eventually come to the earth and continue until God eventually come to live with humans in the New heaven and earth. It is the will of God for us to practice and enter His rest. The whole counsel of God has been declared to you, and if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them, John 13:17.
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