Keeping the Sabbath Holy

As a child, I memorized the Ten Commandments. But it wasn’t until adulthood that I made connections to why those rules in particular are so important. Last night, I was examining the fourth commandment in particular – the Sabbath Day.

Most of the commands are succint. Exodus 13:13 has three short words, “Do not murder.” But explaining the Sabbath as the fourth command takes up four verses.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: You are to labor six days and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work – you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the foreigner who is within your gates. For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.
– Exodus 20:8-11

I’m going to use a couple passages in Scripture to answer a few key questions about the Sabbath to help us better apply it in our lives.

What is the Sabbath?

The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains that it was “celebrated every seven days and became basic to the recognition and worship of the God of creation and redemption.” It is more than a day of lounging on the couch. It is a day dedicated to worshipping God.

When did the concept of Sabbath rest begin?

God created the Sabbath. Genesis 2:2-3, “By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.”

Is the Sabbath the same in the Old and New Testament?

Traditionally, the Old Testament Jews honored the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week, which would be the equivalent of our Saturday. But the book of Acts shows that, after the resurrection, the disciples began to meet on the first day of the week because that is the day of the week that Jesus was raised from the dead. This is why we traditionally gather together as a church on Sunday rather than Saturday.

Why should I care about the Sabbath?

Because it’s the only day God blessed. Because it is one of the Ten Commandments. Because Jesus observed Sabbath rest. Because the first believers in the book of Acts observed it. Because it is a time to refocus your heart and mind on Christ.

How can I live out the Sabbath?

With your time. Attending church takes time. But it’s about more than attendance. It’s about recharging and resetting our eyes on Christ before the weekly routines begin.

With your money. We tithe at church to remember that everything belongs to God and we are giving a portion back to Him.

With your attention. Sitting in the pew doesn’t refresh and refocus you. We must actively pay attention and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us from the sermon and the lessons we hear.

Here are a few practical suggestions that I’ve implemented in my life: finish all your homework and chores on Saturday. Pray with your family on Sunday. Reread the sermon or Sunday School passage at home. Reflect on the week behind and the week ahead.

How do you honor the Sabbath in your life? I’d love to here from you! Respond to this blog or tweet me @r_adelsberger.