For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. So the sons of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to celebrate the Sabbath throughout their generations as a permanent covenant.’ It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”
God set a blueprint for 6+1 in His creation - six days of work and one day of rest. God rested not because He was tired, but He wanted the best for His people and had set an example for them to follow. His instructions had always been meant for good and blessing for His people. But more often than not, they felt ungrateful about the Sabbath rest. It was on Saturday, the 7th day of the week. Perhaps they worried about "food" for the next day, so they wanted to work. Maybe they got used to be slaves who worked without rest in Egypt. When they were out of Egypt, "Egypt" remains in them. The Sabbath rest in the OT is now fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who was crucified on Friday and risen on Sunday and appeared among God's people, His disciples. So, Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus now congregate to meet on Sunday to praise, worship, hear God's word, fellowship, and to rest totally in Jesus. The Sabbath in the OT has become the Sunday gathering of believers/followers of Jesus. This is a blessing beyond the law in the OT. It is no longer "I have to keep the Sabbath according the Law," but is now "I want to be God's people, Christ's Body, the local church, my spiritual family." Those who understand this will "keep the Sunday gathering" as non-negotiable day, a true blessing from the Lord. Those who don't, they might be saved, "being out of Egypt, but Egypt still sticks with them." As result, they rob themselves of the blessings of the Lord and won't be able to enjoy God's presence through Christ Jesus in His Body--the church. God is gracious and just. He wants every one of us to be blessed. Though He loves us so much, He won't force you to do what you don't want. So the choice is always yours, to be blessed in His presence or to be "slaves in Egypt."
Comments