Genesis 2:2
By the seventh day God had completed the work he had been doing, so on the seventh day he stopped working on everything that he had done.
Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word שׁבּת (pronounced: shabbâth) meaning intermission – ‘a pause’ or ‘a break’ from all routine work [Isa 58:13].
On the one hand, continuing to work for individual benefits during the Sabbath is considered profanity [Neh 13:15-18]. On the other hand, imposing with our own opinions hard and fast rules on ourselves and on others about the Sabbath day is not acceptable before the Lord either [Matt 12]. Neither is it apt to opt for a balance of the two; Sabbath is a sign or reminder of God’s relationship to his children [Exo 31:13; Eze 20:12, 20].
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”
Jesus – [Gospel of John 10:27]
That is the sign and reminder! When we take a break to commune with the Lord of the Sabbath [Matt 12:8] and to do good [v. 12], regularly and with an open heart, we come to know more of him and of the tasks or instructions that he gives us, and so work not only for him but also with him.
“There are not three stages in spiritual life – worship, waiting and work. … God’s idea is that the three should go together… [as exemplified by Jesus, who was] unhasting and unresting.”
Oswald Chambers
Therefore, I believe the fourth Commandment – “Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy” [Exo 20:8] – speaks about life in the Spirit daily (so that we live by faith with deeds, remaining in communion with God); it is neither about mere-rituals [Isa 29:13; 1Sam 15:22] nor about weekly hibernations [John 5:17]!
Then, the principle of Sabbath – that is, taking a break for a quality communion and doing good deeds – can be applied in other aspects of life; I must remember to continually apply that principle into my relationship with God as well as with my family, my friend(s), the communities and the Church. This sign/reminder always follows such principle: God is with us, not just me.
I find the Sabbath so important that I believe I should attempt to spend quality time with him (not with ministry or study but with him) and with my family as well as with those around me.
I’m also looking forward to joining any society that reach out to the poor and needy community so that one of the main principle of Sabbath – that is, practising good deeds – can be applied, that I am tutored in the area of extending a helping hand towards the special, torn, oppressed and poor people, as how my pastor described it. I’m still finding out how to start…
[...] me about the importance of the relationships with the people around me. I wrote about that in The Sabbath, a devotional sharing. This post shares an overview on what had happened for my past-one year. Of [...]