What is the purpose of the Sabbath?

[DamianWarS]

God set aside the Sabbath before sin entered the earth so I think He had multiple purposes in creating it. I think His greatest reason was He knew we all, even before sin, need a day to devote exclusively to our relationship with Him for He is, and always has been, our righteousness. None of us have any righteousness outside of Him.

the 7th day is a day of completion. God does not "rest" he ceases work and he ceases work because the work is complete. Without complete work, there is no 7th day which is an important distinction. When we take rest on the 7th day while there is incomplete work it is a pseudo rest, one that can only point to the complete rest but it alone can only achieve physical rest and cannot cross into spiritual. The 7th day itself is the antithesis of before creation contrasting light/darkness, full/empty, complete/incomplete, organized/chaos, etc... When we look at the 7th day and it's goal, it is rest from the darkness, emptiness, incompleteness, chaos, etc... it the answer to the state of things before light is spoken into darkness. "light spoken into darkness" is a powerful spiritual foreshadow and metaphor. applying it to ourselves it is the moment of salvation upon our lives and this is scripturally revealed in 2 Cor 4:6. This is why we are called the "new creation" ( 2 Cor 5:17) as the Gen creation serves as a typology for the new creation in our lives. I'm not challenging the literalness of the account but rather showing the spiritual meaning has greater value and is what we should be looking at, as it is the focus of scripture such as what we see in 2 Cor 4:6. Paul does not dwell on the physical meaning to emphasis or not he directly enters the spiritual meaning, so should we.

The 7th day then is the completed work of Christ within our lives. The 4th commandment echoes this through the physical which testifies the new and is the purpose of the law. to look at the 7th day and only see the 4th commandment is a disservice to the 4th as the 4th points to Christ so we should be looking at Christ not stuck on the 4th. We need to interpret these accounts through a gospel/Christ lens because this is the way that's been revealed to us and we don't need to go back into the shadows stumbling in the darkness. The 7th day testifies the glory of God through the completed works of Christ in us, through him, we are made holy as the 7th day is holy, let's not disappoint and celebrate the 7th charged with this revelation.

 

[pasifika]

the 7th day is a day of completion. God does not "rest" he ceases work and he ceases work because the work is complete. Without complete work, there is no 7th day which is an important distinction. When we take rest on the 7th day while there is incomplete work it is a pseudo rest, one that can only point to the complete rest but it alone can only achieve physical rest and cannot cross into spiritual. The 7th day itself is the antithesis of before creation contrasting light/darkness, full/empty, complete/incomplete, organized/chaos, etc... When we look at the 7th day and it's goal, it is rest from the darkness, emptiness, incompleteness, chaos, etc... it the answer to the state of things before light is spoken into darkness. "light spoken into darkness" is a powerful spiritual foreshadow and metaphor. applying it to ourselves it is the moment of salvation upon our lives and this is scripturally revealed in 2 Cor 4:6. This is why we are called the "new creation" ( 2 Cor 5:17) as the Gen creation serves as a typology for the new creation in our lives. I'm not challenging the literalness of the account but rather showing the spiritual meaning has greater value and is what we should be looking at, as it is the focus of scripture such as what we see in 2 Cor 4:6. Paul does not dwell on the physical meaning to emphasis or not he directly enters the spiritual meaning, so should we.

The 7th day then is the completed work of Christ within our lives. The 4th commandment echoes this through the physical which testifies the new and is the purpose of the law. to look at the 7th day and only see the 4th commandment is a disservice to the 4th as the 4th points to Christ so we should be looking at Christ not stuck on the 4th. We need to interpret these accounts through a gospel/Christ lens because this is the way that's been revealed to us and we don't need to go back into the shadows stumbling in the darkness. The 7th day testifies the glory of God through the completed works of Christ in us, through him, we are made holy as the 7th day is holy, let's not disappoint and celebrate the 7th charged with this revelation.

Amen. The new day is called "Today" as in Hebrews 4. The day we "ceased" from our work (Christ work) in us, just as God did from His work on the 7th day in creation.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Amen. The new day is called "Today" as in Hebrews 4. The day we "ceased" from our work (Christ work) in us, just as God did from His work on the 7th day in creation.

No where does it say “today” is the new Sabbath or the new day of worship or “the new day”. Hebrews 4 says “Today” if you hear His voice don’t harden your heart which is a quote from David Psalms 95:7-8..

Not keeping God’s commandments is the exact warning of the scripture- we should not harden our hearts in rebellion to God, but instead obey God through faith and love. 1 John 5:3, Romans 3:3, Hebrews 4:9 NIV

 

[DamianWarS]

No where does it say “today” is the new Sabbath or the new day of worship or “the new day”

There is no new Sabbath. It's the same Sabbath and it has never changed. the 7th day points to the completed works of Christ in our life that ushers in rest. The 4th commandment testifies this through the physical. And the new creation implements it. It's all the same Sabbath, what's changed is how we approach it. God works outside of time, Sabbath as a day of the week is arbitrary to God unless it points to something greater, so it must point to something greater.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

There is no new Sabbath. It's the same Sabbath and it has never changed. the 7th day points to the completed works of Christ in our life that ushers in rest. The 4th commandment testifies this through the physical. And the new creation implements it. It's all the same Sabbath, what's change is how we approach it. God works outside of time, Sabbath as a day of the week is arbitrary to God unless it points to something greater.

While our opinions are important to us, following scripture is the only way we know we are safe. Psalms 119:105

There is a lot of your commentary but lack of scripture to back up that the Sabbath changed and we are to approach it differently than God's clear instructions. For me, I am going to stick with the way God wrote and God spoke the Sabbath commandment, my trust is in Him because He knows what is best for us.

 

[DamianWarS]

While our opinions are important to us, following scripture is the only way we know we are safe. Psalms 119:105

There is a lot of your commentary but lack of scripture to back up that the Sabbath changed and we are to approach it differently than God's clear instructions. For me, I am going to stick with the way God wrote and God spoke the Sabbath commandment, my trust is in Him because He knows what is best for us.

Please don't suggest I don't regard scripture with the highest value. Let's respect each other and view each other in the best way possible. The way you've framed Psalms 119:105 is not edifying nor challenging me (I'm welcome either) it is belittling.

I have also explicitly said Sabbath has not changed, the meaning of Sabbath is what I'm referring to. How was Sabbath revealed to Adam? Was it the same way as Moses? One thing Ex 16 shows us is a people unfamiliar with Sabbath law so it would be odd to claim since the beginning Sabbath requirement has been universal since it seems clear the law is first implemented under Moses. Sabbath law itself is an explicit sign of the old covenant, a covenant that was for an ancient people group, not us that testifies to the new.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Please don't suggest I don't regard scripture with the highest value. Let's respect each other and view each other in the best way possible. The way you've framed Psalms 119:105 is not edifying nor challenging me (I'm welcome either) it is belittling.

I have also explicitly said Sabbath has not changed, the meaning of Sabbath is what I'm referring to. How was Sabbath revealed to Adam? Was it the same way as Moses? One thing Ex 16 shows us is a people unfamiliar with Sabbath law so it would be odd to claim since the beginning Sabbath requirement has been universal since it seems clear the law is first implemented under Moses. Sabbath law itself is an explicit sign of the old covenant, a covenant that was for an ancient people group, not us that testifies to the new.

We it's always best to use scripture to help prove our case instead of our words. I have learned you can never reason with someone who doesn't use scripture. There is no scripture that says we need to look at the Sabbath with a different approach than the way God gave it as one of His eternal commandments. Exodus 20:8-11 Isaiah 58:13 We should not change something that is perfect and all of God's law is perfect converting the soul. Psalms 19:7

 

[Gary K]

the 7th day is a day of completion. God does not "rest" he ceases work and he ceases work because the work is complete. Without complete work, there is no 7th day which is an important distinction. When we take rest on the 7th day while there is incomplete work it is a pseudo rest, one that can only point to the complete rest but it alone can only achieve physical rest and cannot cross into spiritual. The 7th day itself is the antithesis of before creation contrasting light/darkness, full/empty, complete/incomplete, organized/chaos, etc... When we look at the 7th day and it's goal, it is rest from the darkness, emptiness, incompleteness, chaos, etc... it the answer to the state of things before light is spoken into darkness. "light spoken into darkness" is a powerful spiritual foreshadow and metaphor. applying it to ourselves it is the moment of salvation upon our lives and this is scripturally revealed in 2 Cor 4:6. This is why we are called the "new creation" ( 2 Cor 5:17) as the Gen creation serves as a typology for the new creation in our lives. I'm not challenging the literalness of the account but rather showing the spiritual meaning has greater value and is what we should be looking at, as it is the focus of scripture such as what we see in 2 Cor 4:6. Paul does not dwell on the physical meaning to emphasis or not he directly enters the spiritual meaning, so should we.

The 7th day then is the completed work of Christ within our lives. The 4th commandment echoes this through the physical which testifies the new and is the purpose of the law. to look at the 7th day and only see the 4th commandment is a disservice to the 4th as the 4th points to Christ so we should be looking at Christ not stuck on the 4th. We need to interpret these accounts through a gospel/Christ lens because this is the way that's been revealed to us and we don't need to go back into the shadows stumbling in the darkness. The 7th day testifies the glory of God through the completed works of Christ in us, through him, we are made holy as the 7th day is holy, let's not disappoint and celebrate the 7th charged with this revelation.

What do you do with texts such as 1Corinthians 1:30 and some from the OT such as Ezekiel 36: 26. 27?

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

 

[Clare73]

Sabbath points to the completed work of Christ in us

Yes, Christ is the NT Sabbath rest, from our own work to save ourselves, and in his work which completely saves.

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

 

[Gary K]

It’s an older thread and I remember saying more on this subject so not sure what context this exact reply is about without going back and rereading, but will pass on that.

That said, yes the commandment is to Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8-11 and the purpose of the Sabbath is the day to honor God. Isaiah 58:13

There are many gods that people have, but there is only one true God who made the heavens and earth and all that is in them. When we keep the Sabbath day holy it shows we worship the one true God and the Sabbath is a memorial for his creative and redemptive power. Keeping the Sabbath is trusting Christ and being in full submission to Him and showing our allegiance is to the the one true God. It’s also the day to commune with Christ on the day He set aside for holy use to spend time with us. If you have more to add feel free to do so.

But you have still avoided the question as to why Jesus gave us the Sabbath. Why did He see a need for the Sabbath before sin entered the earth, and don't say He did so because He knew Adam would sin? He gave the Sabbath before Adam sinned and if Adam hadn't sinned earth's Sabbath would still have existed forever.

It’s an older thread and I remember saying more on this subject so not sure what context this exact reply is about without going back and rereading, but will pass on that.

That said, yes the commandment is to Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8-11 and the purpose of the Sabbath is the day to honor God. Isaiah 58:13

There are many gods that people have, but there is only one true God who made the heavens and earth and all that is in them. When we keep the Sabbath day holy it shows we worship the one true God and the Sabbath is a memorial for his creative and redemptive power. Keeping the Sabbath is trusting Christ and being in full submission to Him and showing our allegiance is to the the one true God. It’s also the day to commune with Christ on the day He set aside for holy use to spend time with us. If you have more to add feel free to do so.

You still avoided the main reason this thread was created. Why did Jesus think Adam needed the Sabbath before he sinned. Why do the unfallen angels need the Sabbath? Same question just different beings.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

But you have still avoided the question as to why Jesus gave us the Sabbath. Why did He see a need for the Sabbath before sin entered the earth, and don't say He did so because He knew Adam would sin? He gave the Sabbath before Adam sinned and if Adam hadn't sinned earth's Sabbath would still have existed forever.

You still avoided the main reason this thread was created. Why did Jesus think Adam needed the Sabbath before he sinned. Why do the unfallen angels need the Sabbath? Same question just different beings.

Why don't you just give us your answer

 

[pasifika]

No where does it say “today” is the new Sabbath or the new day of worship or “the new day”. Hebrews 4 says “Today” if you hear His voice don’t harden your heart which is a quote from David Psalms 95:7-8..

Not keeping God’s commandments is the exact warning of the scripture- we should not harden our hearts in rebellion to God, but instead obey God through faith and love. 1 John 5:3, Romans 3:3, Hebrews 4:9 NIV

Hi, We have been on this several times.. Hebrews 4:6.."Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that "rest"...v7.. God again set a "certain day" Calling it "today"..

V8.."For if Joshua had given them "rest", God would Not have spoken later about "another day"..

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Hi, We have been on this several times.. Hebrews 4:6.."Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that "rest"...v7.. God again set a "certain day" Calling it "today"..

V8.."For if Joshua had given them "rest", God would Not have spoken later about "another day"..

You’re changing the meaning….the day he designates is Today to hear His voice- don’t procrastinate in obeying God, we know not what tomorrow brings.

I’ll quote it….

Hebrews4:7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

This is a quote from David, the verbiage is almost identical

Psalms 95:7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion

It does not say Today is a new day, a new Sabbath or a new day of worship. The Spirit is calling us TODAY if you hear His voice do not harden our hearts in rebellion.

Those in rebellion do not received God’s rest. Hebrews 4:6 Hebrews 4:11. Rebellion is disobeying God in anything He asks including the Sabbath commandment. Rest means there is peace and these is no unrest when we are in Christ just peace.

How many warnings do we need - we should trust God- He gave us His commandments for our own good, including the Sabbath commandment because He wants to spend time with us on the day He set aside to be sanctified for holy use, because we cannot sanctify ourselves Eze 20:12

Isaiah 48:18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea. The Sabbath is a commandment of God and remains for God’s people Hebrews 4:9 NIV

Which is why God pleas with us- Today if you hear His voice- do not harden your hearts. We should listen.

 

[pasifika]

You’re changing the meaning….the day he designates is Today to hear His voice- don’t procrastinate in obeying God, we know not what tomorrow brings.

I’ll quote it….

Hebrews4:7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

This is a quote from David, the verbiage is almost identical

Psalms 95:7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion

It does not say Today is a new day, a new Sabbath or a new day of worship. The Spirit is calling us TODAY if you hear His voice do not harden our hearts in rebellion.

Those in rebellion do not received God’s rest. Hebrews 4:6 Hebrews 4:11. Rebellion is disobeying God in anything He asks including the Sabbath commandment. Rest means there is peace and these is no unrest when we are in Christ just peace.

How many warnings do we need - we should trust God- He gave us His commandments for our own good, including the Sabbath commandment because He wants to spend time with us on the day He set aside to be sanctified for holy use, because we cannot sanctify ourselves Eze 20:12

Isaiah 48:18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea. The Sabbath is a commandment of God and remains for God’s people Hebrews 4:9 NIV

Which is why God pleas with us- Today if you hear His voice- do not harden your hearts. We should listen.

not changing anything, read the passage in a spiritual lense.

Hebrews 4:7..certain day calling it "today"
Hebrews 3:13..but encourage one another daily as long as it called "today"

Hebrews 4:8..if Joshua had given them rest God would not have spoken about "another day"

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What is the purpose of the Sabbath?

It was to give guys married to the Marthas of the world a break, because some people regardless of gender refuse to take a break. However, by the time of Jesus, the old men's club had defined work so specifically, it stopped being an occasion for rest.

Jesus said it well, Sabbath was made for man. God rested so we would.

For people who are depressed and cannot rest within themselves, the sabbath is the peace that surpasses all understanding.

For people who are living in countries where you'd be lucky to get a day off once a month, it sounds like a revolutionary idea.

Since we get a Jewish day off and a Catholic day off (giving credit where it is due) in North America, it's easy to take for granted the need for rest.

How many people use a day of rest to engross themselves in special projects, but never really end up resting?

God set an example of rest, so we would rest, and find rest in our souls.

This is the purpose of the Sabbath, so we would embody this aspect of God's personality along with the lessons learned from the other six days of creation.

 

[Gary K]

Why don't you just give us your answer

I have. God gave us the Sabbath to enable us to set aside an entire day of the week for strengthening our relationship with Him. His entire creation needs it as the law of God is followed everywhere but here on earth.

 

[DamianWarS]

What do you do with texts such as 1Corinthians 1:30 and some from the OT such as Ezekiel 36: 26. 27?

Could you unpack that more, I'm not certain exactly what you're asking

 

[SabbathBlessings]

not changing anything, read the passage in a spiritual lense.

Hebrews 4:7..certain day calling it "today"
Hebrews 3:13..but encourage one another daily as long as it called "today"

Hebrews 4:8..if Joshua had given them rest God would not have spoken about "another day"

And none of those verse say “today” is now the new Sabbath or new day of rest. You also cut of half the verse which removes the context.

Hebrews4:7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

This is a quote from David, the verbiage is almost identical

Psalms 95:7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion

The context is “today if you hear His voice”. Not “today” is the Sabbath. That is adding to what’s not there.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I have. God gave us the Sabbath to enable us to set aside an entire day of the week for strengthening our relationship with Him. His entire creation needs it as the law of God is followed everywhere but here on earth.

I’m not sure how that is so different than what I stated…

SB wrote:
It’s also the day to commune with Christ on the day He set aside for holy use to spend time with us.

Is that not strengthening our relationship by spending time in communion with him. Not sure what you’re disagreeing with exactly.

 

[pasifika]

And none of those verse say “today” is now the new Sabbath or new day of rest. You also cut of half the verse which removes the context.

Hebrews4:7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

This is a quote from David, the verbiage is almost identical

Psalms 95:7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you will hear His voice:
8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion

The context is “today if you hear His voice”. Not “today” is the Sabbath. That is adding to what’s not there.

Read Hebrews 4 as a whole in context don't look for a specific verse to directly mention a new Sabbath day. But it's there! You have to be open and not be blinded guide by doctrine made by someone else.

This is what happened to the 7th day Sabbath rest in regards to those who think they can keep it..

Hebrews 4:5.."They shall NEVER ENTER my REST! (Psalm 95:11)

Who is "they" in the above verse? Is to those in the wilderness since it was them whom Moses gave the law to keep including "10 commandments" as a covenant law..

So why did the writer of Hebrews use it in the NT? This is to make a point that the Sabbath Rest cannot be anymore obtained by keeping the 7th day as commanded in the Old covenant..