In our Wednesday Bible study, we have been looking at the book of Exodus. As we have studied, I have been surprised by how often the subject of Sabbath comes up in the book, and how seriously God takes it.
It comes up first in the provision of manna in the wilderness. The people are given what they need each day, but on the sixth day, they are to collect a double portion of manna, so that they do not “work” on the Sabbath day.
Then it appears in the Ten Commandments that God gives to Moses on the mountain, where it is included in the group of commandments dealing with how we relate to God. “Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it holy,” God says.
And then the subject comes up again, just as Moses is preparing to head down the mountain and deliver the Law to the people. God is much more serious in this mention: “Whoever profanes it shall be put to death, and whoever does any work on it shall be cut off from among the people.” These are strong words when compared with Jesus, who often seemed to do what was considered to be “work” on the Sabbath, but they emphasize what even Jesus would acknowledge: Making Sabbath time, and making it holy, is important to us.
It reminds us that we (and our selfishness) are not the center of the universe, and that if we are going to claim to be God’s children, then we must set aside time to know God as Parent.
Creating Sabbath in our lives, in my opinion, does not necessarily mean taking an entire day, nor does it have to be on a particular day each week, but doing so allows us to recognize what is important about Sabbath: that setting aside time to be with God, to worship God, to know God and be known by God, is a discipline that is good for our soul.
So whether today is your Sabbath, or another time in your week is your Sabbath, make it Holy, for it is God’s time.
Blessings, and may worship touch you today through God’s Spirit at work.
Blessings, Sonny