Why the Sabbath is a moral commandment

[DamianWarS]

I am sorry, if its not in Scripture, its not that important to me. I do not think our own reasoning is the same as what God said, God defines what things are not us, so I am going to just agree to disagree.

"The Lord's Day" is a colloquialism where Lord of the Sabbath is a reference of authority over the Sabbath, not a colloquialism. Other references like Is. 58:13 is also not a colloquialism, it is a statement of authority and a call to obedience. Because it is a colloquialism it needs more evidence than similar words to say it is the same meaning. There in fact is no biblical link to this colloquialism to any known day in the bible except we can infer that to John's readers they would have intimate knowledge of the day. The church unbroken since the beginning has always maintained this means the first day of the week. This doesn't change the Sabbath, I'm just saying the Lord's Day and the Sabbath are not the same thing.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

This doesn't change the Sabbath, I'm just saying the Lord's Day and the Sabbath are not the same thing.

Our words are not Scripture. God defines what things are, not us human. God defined the Sabbath and said the "seventh day" is the Sabbath of the Lord Exo 20:10 "My holy day" "the holy day of the Lord" which is the same forwards and backwards. There is no day one as the Lords day- God said all other days are working days Exo 20:9.

We can choose to believe we know better than He or we can choose to put our faith in Jesus who said quoting from the OT when He was tempted by the other spirit to not follow what God said

Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Which of course would include Exo 20:1-17 unedited because this is Gods own Testimony Exo 31:18 and while our opinions and ideas are important to us, we need to remember we are the creation, there is only one Creator, but if we lay aside what God commanded for our own ideas/traditions Jesus said this is not the path back to Him Mat 15:3-14 but we are given free will

Your argument is not with me

 

[Leaf473]

What would be an example of a non-moral commandment?

Jeremiah 35:16
The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me

 

[DamianWarS]

Our words are not Scripture. God defines what things are, not us human. God defined the Sabbath and said the "seventh day" is the Sabbath of the Lord Exo 20:10 "My holy day" "the holy day of the Lord" which is the same forwards and backwards. There is no day one as the Lords day- God said all other days are working days Exo 20:9.

Rev 1:10 still doesn't address the sabbath and there is no biblical reference to connect it to the Sabbath.

The context of Exo 20:10 shows us the rest (sabbath) is to God in terms of worship and dedication. It is God's ownership as we are God's ownership. Since sabbath ultimately is of spiritual rest it is us then that are dedicated to God.

God doesn't keep sabbath (at least not according to the 4th commandment), for one he has no need of rest and the rest isn't for him. Christ says "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27) which makes the Sabbath worship for us to God and it's product of rest also for us and not for God, because we need it, and he doesn't (spiritual or physical) John 5:17 Jesus says "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." God works with purpose and if the purpose is not complete he continues the work, he does not take a rest from it, he is always working.

All of this shows us Sabbath is not innately moral. We have a moral obligation to serventuide towards God and he inturn has a reciprocal promise of Lordship and caregiver towards us. We have a moral obligation to love others around us, show them kindness and be good, God has that same moral obligation, he is not evil he is good, he is not hateful he is love. But God has no moral obligation to keep Sabbath law, he is the giver of rest, not the taker of it. He indeed ushers in the 7th day upon his completion of work, so his obligtion to us is the work, not taking rest, (he gives the rest). He may be finished creation but he is still working and when complete a new Sabbath will be ushered in (Rev 21:1) These are his promises to us and inturn we seek his salvation and his rest which is his completed work in us, we love him and we love others. This is Christ's law.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Rev 1:10 still doesn't address the sabbath and there is no biblical reference to connect it to the Sabbath.

The context of Exo 20:10 shows us the rest (sabbath) is to God in terms of worship and dedication. It is God's ownership as we are God's ownership. Since sabbath ultimately is of spiritual rest it is us then that are dedicated to God.

God doesn't keep sabbath (at least not according to the 4th commandment), for one he has no need of rest and the rest isn't for him. Christ says "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27) which makes the Sabbath worship for us to God and it's product of rest also for us and not for God, because we need it, and he doesn't (spiritual or physical) John 5:17 Jesus says "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." God works with purpose and if the purpose is not complete he continues the work, he does not take a rest from it, he is always working.

All of this shows us Sabbath is not innately moral. We have a moral obligation to serventuide towards God and he inturn has a reciprocal moral obligation of Lordship and caregiver towards us. We have a moral obligation to love others around us, show them kindness and be good, God has that same moral obligation, he is not evil he is good, he is not hateful he is love. But God has no moral obligation to keep Sabbath law, he is the giver of rest, not the taker of it. He indeed ushers in the 7th day upon his completion of work, so his obligtion to us is the work, not the rest, he gives the rest. He may be finished creation but he is still working. These are his promises to us and inturn we seek his rest and his completed work in us.

God commanded us to keep the Sabbath day holy Exo 20:8-11 He said it is doing just and righteousness Isa 56:1-6 which is the foundation of His Throne Psa 89:14 sounds moral to me. Rev 1:10 has been addressed by God because if He deemed the Sabbath is the holy day of the Lord Isa 58:13 the Sabbath is the Lords day because He said all other days are for work and labors Exo 20:9 and if we believed His Words, no one would be confused about Rev 1:10. There is no Sunday sacredness in all of the Bible. Man can't sanctify a day, nor can they sanctify themselves Isa 66:17, God connected both of these with the seventh day Sabbath, thus saith the Lord Gen 2:1-3 Exo 20:11 Eze 20:12

No one receives rest in Christ by being disobedient to His commandments. Isa 48:18 Rev 14:11-12

I know we won't agree, and there's way too much commentary to try to reason with, so I am going to just end it on my side with agree to disagree. Everything will get sorted out soon enough.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

All of this shows us Sabbath is not innately moral. We have a moral obligation to serventuide towards God and he inturn has a reciprocal promise of Lordship and caregiver towards us. We have a moral obligation to love others around us, show them kindness and be good, God has that same moral obligation, he is not evil he is good, he is not hateful he is love. But God has no moral obligation to keep Sabbath law, he is the giver of rest, not the taker of it. He indeed ushers in the 7th day upon his completion of work, so his obligtion to us is the work, not taking rest, (he gives the rest). He may be finished creation but he is still working and when complete a new Sabbath will be ushered in (Rev 21:1) These are his promises to us and inturn we seek his salvation and his rest which is his completed work in us, we love him and we love others. This is Christ's law.

The idea that the Sabbath is not moral but merely instructional is not only incorrect—it directly contradicts the clear teachings of Scripture and the example set by God Himself. The fourth commandment is part of the Ten Commandments, a moral law spoken by God’s own voice, written by His own Finger. It says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and ties this rest directly to the pattern set by God at creation. God didn’t just command rest; He blessed and sanctified the seventh day, which means He set it apart as sacred, not just for Israel, but for all humanity.

When Jesus came, He did not cancel or replace this command. He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law… I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” He called Himself “Lord of the Sabbath” and said it was made for man—not man for the Sabbath. This shows that the Sabbath was a gift, created for our good from the beginning, and Jesus confirmed its value. He never taught that it would end or that a “new Sabbath” would come in the future. In fact, the prophet Isaiah says that from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh will worship before God even in the new heavens and new earth, proving its moral and eternal nature.

The claim that God has no moral obligation to keep the Sabbath ignores the fact that God Himself rested on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but as an example for us. Resting was part of His finished creation. To say He only works until Revelation 21 and then begins a new Sabbath twists the meaning of both Genesis and Revelation. The weekly Sabbath is not a placeholder—it is a holy rhythm that God established, that Jesus honored, and that we are still called to keep.


As for “Christ’s law,” like I explained to you before, there is no such replacement law spoken by Jesus that erases the Ten Commandments. Jesus said all the law hangs on love for God and neighbor, and the Sabbath is part of how we love God. The idea of “Christ’s law” replacing the Ten Commandments is a human invention, often built from the teachings of Paul, not from the words of Jesus or His original disciples. Jesus never taught the Sabbath would be done away with—He deepened its meaning.

To remove the Sabbath from the moral law is to remove a piece of God's own character. It is to deny the authority of His voice at Sinai, the example of His rest at creation, the holiness He placed on the seventh day, the lordship of Jesus over that day, and the eternal worship shown in prophecy. The Sabbath is not only moral—it is a sign of our relationship with the Creator and Redeemer. Those who love God will keep it, just as Jesus did.

 

[Leaf473]

Do the scriptures speak of commandments of God that are not moral?

The Lord's words are flawless words,
as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
7 You will keep them, O Lord
You will preserve them from this generation forever Psalm 12

 

[SabbathBlessings]

The idea that the Sabbath is not moral but merely instructional is not only incorrect—it directly contradicts the clear teachings of Scripture and the example set by God Himself. The fourth commandment is part of the Ten Commandments, a moral law spoken by God’s own voice, written by His own (finger) It says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and ties this rest directly to the pattern set by God at creation. God didn’t just command rest; He blessed and sanctified the seventh day, which means He set it apart as sacred, not just for Israel, but for all humanity.

When Jesus came, He did not cancel or replace this command. He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law… I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” He called Himself “Lord of the Sabbath” and said it was made for man—not man for the Sabbath. This shows that the Sabbath was a gift, created for our good from the beginning, and Jesus confirmed its value. He never taught that it would end or that a “new Sabbath” would come in the future. In fact, the prophet Isaiah says that from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh will worship before God even in the new heavens and new earth, proving its moral and eternal nature.

The claim that God has no moral obligation to keep the Sabbath ignores the fact that God Himself rested on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but as an example for us. Resting was part of His finished creation. To say He only works until Revelation 21 and then begins a new Sabbath twists the meaning of both Genesis and Revelation. The weekly Sabbath is not a placeholder—it is a holy rhythm that God established, that Jesus honored, and that we are still called to keep.


As for “Christ’s law,” like I explained to you before, there is no such replacement law spoken by Jesus that erases the Ten Commandments. Jesus said all the law hangs on love for God and neighbor, and the Sabbath is part of how we love God. The idea of “Christ’s law” replacing the Ten Commandments is a human invention

To remove the Sabbath from the moral law is to remove a piece of God's own character. It is to deny the authority of His voice at Sinai, the example of His rest at creation, the holiness He placed on the seventh day, the lordship of Jesus over that day, and the eternal worship shown in prophecy. The Sabbath is not only moral—it is a sign of our relationship with the Creator and Redeemer. Those who love God will keep it, just as Jesus did.

Amazing post! Thank you!

 

[DamianWarS]

No one receives rest in Christ by being disobedient to His commandments. Isa 48:18 Rev 14:11-12

This is a strawman. No one promoting disobedience.

It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Mt 12:12) ergo we may be aligned to Christ's law without the ceremonial/ritual aspects; our goal may be goodness in service of Christ and be lawful. Christ references it as all the law and the prophets hang upon these two (Mat 22:40) Paul says through it we fulfill the entire law (Gal 5:14) and James says if we aligned ourselves to it "you are doing well" (Jam 2:8). This is NT teaching regarding law. Fulfilled does not mean broken, tossed away, destroyed, abolished, disobedience, or whatever other negating words you want to throw in there. it means what it says. Fulfilled.

 

[DamianWarS]

The idea that the Sabbath is not moral but merely instructional is not only incorrect—it directly contradicts the clear teachings of Scripture and the example set by God Himself. The fourth commandment is part of the Ten Commandments, a moral law spoken by God’s own voice, written by His own Finger. It says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and ties this rest directly to the pattern set by God at creation. God didn’t just command rest; He blessed and sanctified the seventh day, which means He set it apart as sacred, not just for Israel, but for all humanity.

Who told you the ten Commandments was a moral law? Did the bible tell you this? You're calling the 4th moral because of a post-biblical label you've forced on the 10. Christ tells us the most important laws, he does not quote from the 10 are these not moral too? What then is your measure of what is moral and what is not? God speaks without confusion to Abraham, circumcision is a sign of his everlasting covenant with Abraham, meant for him and generations to come. Is circumcision then moral too? if we critically look at moralism, sabbath practice does not fit.

When Jesus came, He did not cancel or replace this command. He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law… I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” He called Himself “Lord of the Sabbath” and said it was made for man—not man for the Sabbath. This shows that the Sabbath was a gift, created for our good from the beginning, and Jesus confirmed its value. He never taught that it would end or that a “new Sabbath” would come in the future. In fact, the prophet Isaiah says that from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh will worship before God even in the new heavens and new earth, proving its moral and eternal nature.

What is the product of a fulfilled law? Is it not a completed law?

Lord of the Sabbath is also a reference to authority over the Sabbath.

Sabbath was indeed made for man so we know it cannot be universally approached because it has a starting point ("made") Morality however doesn't need to be made, it is always there. Goodness and love are immutable characteristics of God, but ritual rest is not, God is rest, and as we keep in step with him, we are recipients of that rest, these are the immutable qualities but a practice of ritual rest is not it. Sabbath is unique for us, but morality is not something that is good for x but not good for y, it is good for all. For example morality is an obligation of angels too but Sabbath was not made for angels so they are unable to participate.

Sabbath to Sabbath is a reference of time in context anf carries a meaning of continual worship. The context is not there to isolate the Sabbath law and call it universal but rather the opposite, to release it's time boundaries. Sabbath has a spiritual meaning to it, this is the universal aspect. this is why it is made for us as God has made spiritual rest unique for us, which is his salvation through Christ and restore relationship with him. The spiritual meaning is of spiritual rest from salvation through Christ that we cannot take ourselves and it needs to be given to us. This is universal because it is meant for all time, not just a specific day of the week. We should practice the salvation we have through Christ in every moment. This is the conflict inherent in sabbath law because we cannot physically rest all the time, nor can we physically work all the time but a completed work is the goal and an everlasting rest is also the goal. Both of those goals can only be accomplished through Christ who completed the work, he said so himself "it is finished" releasing the rest and obtainable for all moments. Our goal is not ritual physical rest, instead perpetual spiritual rest through Christ. This is the new creation. If it is said there is a new creation that is us, then is there also not a new sabbath in us as well?

The claim that God has no moral obligation to keep the Sabbath ignores the fact that God Himself rested on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but as an example for us. Resting was part of His finished creation. To say He only works until Revelation 21 and then begins a new Sabbath twists the meaning of both Genesis and Revelation. The weekly Sabbath is not a placeholder—it is a holy rhythm that God established, that Jesus honored, and that we are still called to keep.

He rested from his works (because he completed them) but this is not the 4th commandment. The 4th is a commandment for ritual physical rest to mimic the 7th day and God does not participate in this aspect. Thus the 4th does not describe moral action. I don't see why this is hard to understand, the 4th law has nothing to do with morality; why fight this? It's fairly clear just by reading its instructions that it is not of moral quality. Why is ritual rest moral on x day but not on another day? this does not describe morality; the moral component is only obedience (which is innate in all laws), but the action of ceasing work is not of moral quality.

I also didn't say God only works until x time, I said he always works, thus does not participate in the 4th commandment (it wasn't made for him). God always has purpose and that purpose is never rested.

As for “Christ’s law,” like I explained to you before, there is no such replacement law spoken by Jesus that erases the Ten Commandments. Jesus said all the law hangs on love for God and neighbor, and the Sabbath is part of how we love God. The idea of “Christ’s law” replacing the Ten Commandments is a human invention, often built from the teachings of Paul, not from the words of Jesus or His original disciples. Jesus never taught the Sabbath would be done away with—He deepened its meaning.

Nothing is being erased. With the Sabbath, Christ says that goodness is lawful ergo if all we did was goodness then the ritual rest part wouldn't need to be considered without actually breaking any laws. An obvious challenge in there is why not just always do good? Should that not be our motivation anyway? If I am practicing good my action as a result of that goodness inherits lawfulness (even if its work). Goodness itself here is shown as a mechanism of lawful action. This again shows how sabbath is not of moral action when an undisputed moral action (like goodness) may be practiced on the Sabbath even if it involves work but it still remains lawful. That doesn't work in reverse, rest does not sanctify my ceasing of goodness. So it is always better to do good over doing ritual rest and if my actions were always good they are always better.

If Sabbath was of moral substance, then something else shouldn't trump it. If it is good, it is always good, and this is why goodness may be practiced indiscriminately of work action yet still be lawful because goodness is still good on the Sabbath. Sabbath is not erased, it is magnified. (Neither is the commandment to not murder not erased, it too is magnified. neither is the commandment for circumcision erased, it is magnified too) So what remains? The net result is a continual practice of goodness which happens to align perfectly with Christ's law and NT teaching. This is not arbitrarily true, it is logically true. Even without Christ's words, it is a natural conclusion of law that law is not based on arbitrary do's and dont's, it has a purpose that extends beyond the letter and is universal in nature, this purpose is written upon our hearts by the spirit not in stone (which would be counter-spirit) and we align to it by walking in the spirit, not in the flesh (or in stone). In stone is of fleshly quality, but the heart is of spiritual quality.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

Who told you the ten Commandments was a moral law? Did the bible tell you this? You're calling the 4th moral because of a post-biblical label you've forced on the 10. Christ tells us the most important laws, he does not quote from the 10 are these not moral too? What then is your measure of what is moral and what is not? God speaks without confusion to Abraham, circumcision is a sign of his everlasting covenant with Abraham, meant for him and generations to come. Is circumcision then moral too? if we critically look at moralism, sabbath practice does not fit.

What is the product of a fulfilled law? Is it not a completed law?

Lord of the Sabbath is also a reference to authority over the Sabbath.

Sabbath was indeed made for man so we know it cannot be universally approached because it has a starting point ("made") Morality however doesn't need to be made, it is always there. Goodness and love are immutable characteristics of God, but ritual rest is not, God is rest, and as we keep in step with him, we are recipients of that rest, these are the immutable qualities but a practice of ritual rest is not it. Sabbath is unique for us, but morality is not something that is good for x but not good for y, it is good for all. For example morality is an obligation of angels too but Sabbath was not made for angels so they are unable to participate.

Sabbath to Sabbath is a reference of time in context anf carries a meaning of continual worship. The context is not there to isolate the Sabbath law and call it universal but rather the opposite, to release it's time boundaries. Sabbath has a spiritual meaning to it, this is the universal aspect. this is why it is made for us as God has made spiritual rest unique for us, which is his salvation through Christ and restore relationship with him. The spiritual meaning is of spiritual rest from salvation through Christ that we cannot take ourselves and it needs to be given to us. This is universal because it is meant for all time, not just a specific day of the week. We should practice the salvation we have through Christ in every moment. This is the conflict inherent in sabbath law because we cannot physically rest all the time, nor can we physically work all the time but a completed work is the goal and an everlasting rest is also the goal. Both of those goals can only be accomplished through Christ who completed the work, he said so himself "it is finished" releasing the rest and obtainable for all moments. Our goal is not ritual physical rest, instead perpetual spiritual rest through Christ. This is the new creation. If it is said there is a new creation that is us, then is there also not a new sabbath in us as well?

He rested from his works (because he completed them) but this is not the 4th commandment. The 4th is a commandment for ritual physical rest to mimic the 7th day and God does not participate in this aspect. Thus the 4th does not describe moral action. I don't see why this is hard to understand, the 4th law has nothing to do with morality; why fight this? It's fairly clear just by reading its instructions that it is not of moral quality. Why is ritual rest moral on x day but not on another day? this does not describe morality; the moral component is only obedience (which is innate in all laws), but the action of ceasing work is not of moral quality.

I also didn't say God only works until x time, I said he always works, thus does not participate in the 4th commandment (it wasn't made for him). God always has purpose and that purpose is never rested.

Nothing is being erased. With the Sabbath, Christ says that goodness is lawful ergo if all we did was goodness then the ritual rest part wouldn't need to be considered without actually breaking any laws. An obvious challenge in there is why not just always do good? Should that not be our motivation anyway? If I am practicing good my action as a result of that goodness inherits lawfulness (even if its work). Goodness itself here is shown as a mechanism of lawful action. This again shows how sabbath is not of moral action when an undisputed moral action (like goodness) may be practiced on the Sabbath even if it involves work but it still remains lawful. That doesn't work in reverse, rest does not sanctify my ceasing of goodness. So it is always better to do good over doing ritual rest and if my actions were always good they are always better.

If Sabbath was of moral substance, then something else shouldn't trump it. If it is good, it is always good, and this is why goodness may be practiced indiscriminately of work action yet still be lawful because goodness is still good on the Sabbath. Sabbath is not erased, it is magnified. (Neither is the commandment to not murder not erased, it too is magnified. neither is the commandment for circumcision erased, it is magnified too) So what remains? The net result is a continual practice of goodness which happens to align perfectly with Christ's law and NT teaching. This is not arbitrarily true, it is logically true. Even without Christ's words, it is a natural conclusion of law that law is not based on arbitrary do's and dont's, it has a purpose that extends beyond the letter and is universal in nature, this purpose is written upon our hearts by the spirit not in stone (which would be counter-spirit) and we align to it by walking in the spirit, not in the flesh (or in stone). In stone is of fleshly quality, but the heart is of spiritual quality.

Well I guess we do not have the same appreciation of God's laws which you seem to criticize constantly and certainly not the same definition of Morality. we seem to be repeating the same discussions, I do not see why we should continue discussing this topic. Take example on Abraham who obeyed GOD willingly and trusted in Him completely and see what happened to Abraham.

Have a good day.

 

[Leaf473]

Well I guess we do not have the same appreciation of God's laws which you seem to criticize constantly...

...and certainly not the same definition of Morality.

The translation of the Bible that you use, does it have the words Moral or Morality in it?

The one that I use does, but only twice. Here's one example

1 Corinthians 15:33
Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

we seem to be repeating the same discussions, I do not see why we should continue discussing this topic. Take example on Abraham who obeyed GOD willingly and trusted in Him completely and see what happened to Abraham.

Have a good day.

 

[DamianWarS]

not the same definition of Morality

What then is that definition because I'm cofused where to draw the line?

Regardless of arbitrary labels we superimposed on law Christ's tells us our focus should be first love to God then love to each other.

If we call sabbath love to God ask yourself what quality of it is of love? Obedience would certainly be one, but this isn't unique to the Sabbath as obedience may be our motivation for all laws (even the ones we don't keep), obedience can also be the product of wrongful action. Obedience can be described as moral in some sense but this doesn't make the action moral, it just means our motivation may be from a moral base or love base. So then it is of love? Well no more than any other law, and Christ's statements are inclusive all the law and the prophets (he meant the whole thing) Drawing our motivation to love from the 10 would be arbitrarily alienating the rest of the law.

In order to obey the Sabbath it's instructions needs to be told first. Without the instruction then Sabbath observance will not naturally take place. Sure we will naturally rest, maybe even come to natural rhythms of some sort of reoccuring rest that follows our own patterns. But the specific instruction to cease work on the Sabbath cannot be naturally concluded, the days of the week as a 7 count doesn't even follow a natural rhythm. This is unlike any other commandment in the 10 where all others are very naturally concluded even if their weren't etched in stone. If we call the sabbath moral or of love we do so arbitrarily which then calls to question our methodology and motivation behind this 10-commandment-centric thinking.

 

[Leaf473]

What then is that definition because I'm cofused where to draw the line?

You may have had or read about discussions with atheists who say that there is no objective morality. There is only individual opinions or the consensus within society that determines morality. An objective morality would require an objective moral-giver, i.e. God

But Christians generally take the view that there is an objective morality, and it's based on God's instructions. What God says to do is right, what he says not to do is wrong.

I find it very strange to have a thread talking about a particular commandment being moral... Aren't they all moral?

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

What then is that definition because I'm cofused where to draw the line?

Regardless of arbitrary labels we superimposed on law Christ's tells us our focus should be first love to God then love to each other.

If we call sabbath love to God ask yourself what quality of it is of love? Obedience would certainly be one, but this isn't unique to the Sabbath as obedience may be our motivation for all laws (even the ones we don't keep), obedience can also be the product of wrongful action. Obedience can be described as moral in some sense but this doesn't make the action moral, it just means our motivation may be from a moral base or love base. So then it is of love? Well no more than any other law, and Christ's statements are inclusive all the law and the prophets (he meant the whole thing) Drawing our motivation to love from the 10 would be arbitrarily alienating the rest of the law.

In order to obey the Sabbath it's instructions needs to be told first. Without the instruction then Sabbath observance will not naturally take place. Sure we will naturally rest, maybe even come to natural rhythms of some sort of reoccuring rest that follows our own patterns. But the specific instruction to cease work on the Sabbath cannot be naturally concluded, the days of the week as a 7 count doesn't even follow a natural rhythm. This is unlike any other commandment in the 10 where all others are very naturally concluded even if their weren't etched in stone. If we call the sabbath moral or of love we do so arbitrarily which then calls to question our methodology and motivation behind this 10-commandment-centric thinking.

Your desire to understand the foundation of morality is understandable, and Scripture provides a clear and enduring framework for moral living. However, there are several key misunderstandings in your statement that deserve careful correction—not from personal opinion, but from the word of God itself, especially the words of Jesus and the Old Testament writings that shaped His teachings.

First, it must be affirmed that the Ten Commandments are not arbitrary or merely a subset of the broader law. They were spoken directly by God Himself to the people of Israel, not through a prophet or intermediary. This sets them apart in both origin and authority. In Deuteronomy 4:13, it is written, "And He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone." These words were written by the very finger of God (Exodus 31:18), setting them apart from the rest of the law delivered through Moses. The Almighty Himself—infinitely Wise, Holy, and beyond our comprehension—chose to inscribe these Commandments, showing their unique place in divine revelation. As Psalm 19:7 affirms, "The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." God’s law is not merely instructional—it is transformative, flowing from His perfect nature. To disregard the centrality of the Ten Commandments is to miss what God Himself has elevated above all human standards of morality.

You also suggest that the Sabbath commandment is less "natural" than the others and therefore less moral. But the standard for righteousness is not what we can discover by intuition or nature—it is what God has revealed. In Genesis 2:3, it is written, "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." The Sabbath is the only commandment rooted in creation itself, long before the Law was given at Sinai. Its observance is not a matter of practicality or intuition, but of obedience to God's own example and command.

Moreover, Jesus—our Lord and example—affirmed the Sabbath's place. He said in Mark 2:27–28, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Christ did not abolish the Sabbath or diminish its moral weight. Rather, He restored its original intent: a day of rest, holiness, and mercy, not bondage. His statement emphasizes that the Sabbath was given for humanity’s benefit, not as a burden. It is not about legalism but about honoring the Creator’s will for rest and reflection.

You are also right to mention that Christ summed up the law in terms of love—love for God and love for our neighbor. But these commandments, as mentioned before are not replacements for the Ten Commandments; they are the foundation of them all. In Matthew 22:40, Jesus states, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." To love God with all your heart includes the first four commandments, especially the Sabbath, which is a sign of our covenant loyalty to God (Exodus 31:13). Love is not undefined emotion—it is demonstrated by obedience. As Deuteronomy 6:5 teaches, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength,” and as 1 John 5:3 reminds us, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

It is spiritually dangerous to weigh commandments based on how "natural" or intuitive they seem. God's ways are far above our own. As Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." When we judge one commandment (like the Sabbath) to be less relevant because it doesn’t align with human instinct, we exalt human logic above divine wisdom. This is the root of spiritual pride and moral confusion.

The Ten Commandments—summarized in love to God and neighbor—are not arbitrary laws. They are the expression of God's own holiness and justice, revealed clearly and permanently. They are not to be weighed against each other, but to be upheld together. As Psalm 119:142 declares, "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth." And in Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." We must not alienate the Ten Commandments or the Sabbath from the life of faith, but rather see them as a divine gift, a path to peace, and a light to our path, as Psalm 119:105 reminds us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, as One, are indeed the highest moral authority in the created universe. The Ten Commandments were given to us to reflect this divine authority, and as such, they should be appreciated and obeyed without question, for they are the very expression of God's perfect will for His people.

Of possible interest to you, I include an interesting article from pubmed;

Seven-day human biological rhythms: An expedition in search of their origin, synchronization, functional advantage, adaptive value and clinical relevance ​

 

[Leaf473]

Your desire to understand the foundation of morality is understandable, and Scripture provides a clear and enduring framework for moral living. However, there are several key misunderstandings in your statement that deserve careful correction—not from personal opinion, but from the word of God itself, especially the words of Jesus and the Old Testament writings that shaped His teachings.

First, it must be affirmed that the Ten Commandments are not arbitrary or merely a subset of the broader law. They were spoken directly by God Himself to the people of Israel, not through a prophet or intermediary.

This sets them apart in both origin and authority.

JFF, my man, this sounds like the Ten Commandments are greater than the first and second greatest Commandments

In Deuteronomy 4:13, it is written, "And He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone." These words were written by the very finger of God (Exodus 31:18), setting them apart from the rest of the law delivered through Moses. The Almighty Himself—infinitely Wise, Holy, and beyond our comprehension—chose to inscribe these Commandments, showing their unique place in divine revelation. As Psalm 19:7 affirms, "The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." God’s law is not merely instructional—it is transformative, flowing from His perfect nature. To disregard the centrality of the Ten Commandments is to miss what God Himself has elevated above all human standards of morality.

You also suggest that the Sabbath commandment is less "natural" than the others and therefore less moral. But the standard for righteousness is not what we can discover by intuition or nature—it is what God has revealed. In Genesis 2:3, it is written, "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." The Sabbath is the only commandment rooted in creation itself, long before the Law was given at Sinai. Its observance is not a matter of practicality or intuition, but of obedience to God's own example and command.

Moreover, Jesus—our Lord and example—affirmed the Sabbath's place. He said in Mark 2:27–28, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Christ did not abolish the Sabbath or diminish its moral weight. Rather, He restored its original intent: a day of rest, holiness, and mercy, not bondage. His statement emphasizes that the Sabbath was given for humanity’s benefit, not as a burden. It is not about legalism but about honoring the Creator’s will for rest and reflection.

You are also right to mention that Christ summed up the law in terms of love—love for God and love for our neighbor. But these commandments, as mentioned before are not replacements for the Ten Commandments; they are the foundation of them all. In Matthew 22:40, Jesus states, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." To love God with all your heart includes the first four commandments, especially the Sabbath, which is a sign of our covenant loyalty to God (Exodus 31:13). Love is not undefined emotion—it is demonstrated by obedience. As Deuteronomy 6:5 teaches, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength,” and as 1 John 5:3 reminds us, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

It is spiritually dangerous to weigh commandments based on how "natural" or intuitive they seem. God's ways are far above our own. As Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." When we judge one commandment (like the Sabbath) to be less relevant because it doesn’t align with human instinct, we exalt human logic above divine wisdom. This is the root of spiritual pride and moral confusion.

The Ten Commandments—summarized in love to God and neighbor—are not arbitrary laws. They are the expression of God's own holiness and justice, revealed clearly and permanently. They are not to be weighed against each other, but to be upheld together. As Psalm 119:142 declares, "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth." And in Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." We must not alienate the Ten Commandments or the Sabbath from the life of faith, but rather see them as a divine gift, a path to peace, and a light to our path, as Psalm 119:105 reminds us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, as One, are indeed the highest moral authority in the created universe. The Ten Commandments were given to us to reflect this divine authority, and as such, they should be appreciated and obeyed without question, for they are the very expression of God's perfect will for His people.

Of possible interest to you, I include an interesting article from pubmed;

Seven-day human biological rhythms: An expedition in search of their origin, synchronization, functional advantage, adaptive value and clinical relevance ​

 

[DamianWarS]

You may have had or read about discussions with atheists who say that there is no objective morality. There is only individual opinions or the consensus within society that determines morality. An objective morality would require an objective moral-giver, i.e. God

But Christians generally take the view that there is an objective morality, and it's based on God's instructions. What God says to do is right, what he says not to do is wrong.

I find it very strange to have a thread talking about a particular commandment being moral... Aren't they all moral?

Morality can be somewhat subjective although people of faith would agree it exists. I would agree that anything of God is moral (and I think it's safe to assume we all agree that here too) but there is this camp of thinking that uses the label of morality to isolate the 10 which I find inconsistent with scripture and it arbitrarily alienates the rest of law.

If we define morality as anything of God then all the law is moral and any motivation to separate the 10 because of their moral qualities is meaningless, because it's all moral and our net result is all the law.

If we call the 10 this ideal moral code thst actually defines morality there is not logic to it because the laws motivation differ. No heuristic can be developed from this so that we understand morality itself, instead it's more of a "because the 10 said so" sentiment.

I'm looking for a definition of morality that if we thrown all the law into it, the 10 comes as the best match everytime. But the only way to capture this by asking "is it the 10? yes or no" if yes, then keep it, if no then you don't need to keep it.

But the 10 are not a very complete moral code, sure it's good not too murder but let's be honest we can do better then simply resisting to kill each other. I would say they act more like larger offence laws to keep civil order. So I cannot rightly say the 10 are our best example or moral code because of the large gaps I see in it not to mention the motivation of keeping it seems to be more 10-commandments-centric than it is morally driven. I don't want to have a tension in me about doing good on the Sabbath because I'm too afraid of breaking rest. That should not be a reason to resist doing good.

 

[DamianWarS]

First, it must be affirmed that the Ten Commandments are not arbitrary or merely a subset of the broader law. They were spoken directly by God Himself to the people of Israel, not through a prophet or intermediary. This sets them apart in both origin and authority. In Deuteronomy 4:13, it is written, "And He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone." These words were written by the very finger of God (Exodus 31:18), setting them apart from the rest of the law delivered through Moses. The Almighty Himself—infinitely Wise, Holy, and beyond our comprehension—chose to inscribe these Commandments, showing their unique place in divine revelation. As Psalm 19:7 affirms, "The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." God’s law is not merely instructional—it is transformative, flowing from His perfect nature. To disregard the centrality of the Ten Commandments is to miss what God Himself has elevated above all human standards of morality.

the 10 commandments are not arbitrary. I never said that. they are deep with meaning and purpose. However the way we (humans, traditions, etc..) label them may be arbitrary because a forced agenda. the 10 doesn't give us a good measure to define things like morality with a logical bases, except so long as it's the 10, then it's moral which is not critically looking at it. I want a heuristic to universally apply to all things to determine an outcome of morality... Jesus gives us that heuristic in Christ's law and ironically is able to signal out the 4th and says it applies in Mat 12:12.

You also suggest that the Sabbath commandment is less "natural" than the others and therefore less moral. But the standard for righteousness is not what we can discover by intuition or nature—it is what God has revealed. In Genesis 2:3, it is written, "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." The Sabbath is the only commandment rooted in creation itself, long before the Law was given at Sinai. Its observance is not a matter of practicality or intuition, but of obedience to God's own example and command.

that is incorrect. the Sabbath is the only one of the 10 that is rooted in creation the commandment to multiply predates Sabbath itself. Goodness (light over darkness) is also a dominate theme albeit not specifically a commandment. These are the problems of looking at a 10 in a vacuum, you end up seeing the 10 under every rock but missing a lot of other things. Creation teaches a lot about the gospel, sabbath is not the only thing. try re-reading the account without a 10 commandment agenda.

Moreover, Jesus—our Lord and example—affirmed the Sabbath's place. He said in Mark 2:27–28, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Christ did not abolish the Sabbath or diminish its moral weight. Rather, He restored its original intent: a day of rest, holiness, and mercy, not bondage. His statement emphasizes that the Sabbath was given for humanity’s benefit, not as a burden. It is not about legalism but about honoring the Creator’s will for rest and reflection.

he does not abolish the sabbath, I've asked you to stop using this language but I can still see it's how you still approach this. Fulfillment is a better word to use, I have never said Christ abolished anything. Christ said he did not come to destroy/abolish the law and the prophets (don't forget "and the prophets") he came to fulfill them. We know, however there are laws in a fulfilled state we are not under obligation to keep, sacrificial laws would be the clearest, others may be various separation laws, ceremonial aspects, things like circumcision etc.... Regardless of what we agree on there are at least some we can agree they are no longer practiced. In this space where Christ can complete a law so that it's requirement is no longer upon us, is this called abolished or fulfilled? of course fulfilled, but if we already accept this, then why is it good only for a some laws and not good for other laws. this is where the arbitrary definitions come into play, trying to elevate the 10 as somehow resistant to this fulfillment process that clearly some laws undergo.

The rationale comes from this moral definition, which then begs the question, what is moral? and the answer comes back to the 10 and things like "finger of God" used as support. But it's just circular reasoning and it's not being critically approach, the motivation is only that which sees the 10 continue and we bend and warp the verse to suit that need. if it is good for x law, it is good for y law. Christ even tells us what the best laws are and he does not quote the 10 yet still it comes back as "what he really meant was the 10 commandments" I cannot condone this blatantly bias treatment of Christ's words especially when he addresses all the law, not just the 10, all this to maintain a post-biblical and traditional label of the 10 commandments.

You are also right to mention that Christ summed up the law in terms of love—love for God and love for our neighbor. But these commandments, as mentioned before are not replacements for the Ten Commandments; they are the foundation of them all. In Matthew 22:40, Jesus states, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." To love God with all your heart includes the first four commandments, especially the Sabbath, which is a sign of our covenant loyalty to God (Exodus 31:13). Love is not undefined emotion—it is demonstrated by obedience. As Deuteronomy 6:5 teaches, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength,” and as 1 John 5:3 reminds us, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

I didn't use the word sum. they are indeed foundational, the commandments are built off of them. If we build off of Christ's law, which is the foundation, without any prior knowledge of Torah what conclusions would we have? Probably something very similar to the 10 (just more love focused) with the exception of the 4th. This is why it is critical the 4th has its meaning through a spiritual focus over a physical focus because the spiritual focus is a natural conclusion (our need to complete the work, our need for spiritual rest, etc...) but the ceremony used to reflect this may be fluid, the ritual in itself is not really not the point, the message is the spiritual focus.

Christ says "the law the prophets" so this is not just as it relates to the 10, it is as it relates to all the law and the prophets. this includes all the ceremonial, sacrificial, shadow or whatever other labels you want to throw in. It also includes things like circumcision. We cannot use Christ's words to isolate the 10 here.

I agree love and obedience go hand and hand. but again the context is not the 10, so if our obligation is to obey the 10 under the scope of love for God, then our obligation is also to obey every other commandment under the scope of love for God. if we are to say "but those commandments are completed by Christ" then why can't the 10 also be completed by Christ in the same way? morality is not affected, what is moral is still moral, the laws are not abolished, they are fulfilled which is a completely different meaning. our motivation is not of the law which is more resisting evil driven. Christ reveals a new motivation of love which the 10 do not show even if they are based on them, they would be like a shadow of Christ's law. This is also not lawlessness. Christ's law is still law, it is not lawlessness (for example read 1 Cor 9:19-23 to see the distinction)

It is spiritually dangerous to weigh commandments based on how "natural" or intuitive they seem. God's ways are far above our own. As Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." When we judge one commandment (like the Sabbath) to be less relevant because it doesn’t align with human instinct, we exalt human logic above divine wisdom. This is the root of spiritual pride and moral confusion.

you've thrown in morality into the conversation as a measure of what we should keep of not keep from the old. I reject this as our motivation to justify dissecting law. Law is important, all of it, I keep it how Christ tells me to. but if we are to use morality I reject the 4th is best put into that category when it better fits a ceremonial aspect. certainly all law could broadly fit into morality, but if we are to call some moral, some ceremonial, and some sacrificial or other names (which I don't use for doctrinal purposes), then the sabbath best fits ceremonial because that's what it is. read it, it's a ritual to remember the sabbath day, this draws on ceremonial aspects over moral.

The Ten Commandments—summarized in love to God and neighbor—are not arbitrary laws. They are the expression of God's own holiness and justice, revealed clearly and permanently. They are not to be weighed against each other, but to be upheld together. As Psalm 119:142 declares, "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth." And in Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." We must not alienate the Ten Commandments or the Sabbath from the life of faith, but rather see them as a divine gift, a path to peace, and a light to our path, as Psalm 119:105 reminds us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

summarize is the word Paul uses in 1 verse in Romans. you've have exploded this word to explain every use of Christ's law in the NT. Why didn't you use Christ's words of "hang upon" or Pauls others words in Galatians "fulfilled" (which he also uses in romans) why not James words "you are doing right". You are choosng the language that best fits your position which shows a bias without qualifying the other language used. If we are to critically look at this, the message is not about a quick summary of the 10 commandments; we must lean on Christ's words as you quoted too "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Paul's use of fulfilled and summarize a small written set inherits the meaning of Christ, it is not there in conflict of Christ's words. That meaning is the law and the prophets and that means is consistent with "hang upon" You lean on a nuance meaning of a single word, I look at the whole and lean on the words Christ uses.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, as One, are indeed the highest moral authority in the created universe. The Ten Commandments were given to us to reflect this divine authority, and as such, they should be appreciated and obeyed without question, for they are the very expression of God's perfect will for His people.

Of possible interest to you, I include an interesting article from pubmed;

i have already read that article and it's conclusion would not come to an exact outcome of 7 days and its more of an approximation. social constructs are 7 day based, even rest within that 7 days Saturday and Sunday are the most common. we can develop natural routines from a product of these social patterns which has a social bias to it, but even then, they are not exact and do not produce the requirement that the law demands. Whereas the commandment not to murder is exact, we naturally come to conclusions that murdering is wrong and resist doing it, which is all the commandment requires of us. This is not the same for Sabbath. A lunar month can be broken in 4 parts, which can be approximately 7 days/1 week and we may have natural rhythms based on lunar activity. That's not an issue, the issue is if we calibrate ourselves to lunar activity, we will lose alignment with the sabbath requirement. The expressions "it's not horseshoes and hand grenades", or "the devil's in the details" apply here. The sabbath requirement is specific and requires specific actions and an approximation doesn't meet sabbath demand. This cannot be said about the other laws of the 10 commandments, where natural calibration is possible without being told but the 4th is unique, that you need explicit instruction in order to follow it correctly, and even then relies on a 7 day count of the week so it's based on layers of information that not natural. (You can research where the 7 day week come from, it doesn't come off well for the Hebrews). otherwise it would be only an approximation and eventually be so far off the mark it would no longer be an approximation but quite distant from the law.

 

[Leaf473]

Morality can be somewhat subjective although people of faith would agree it exists. I would agree that anything of God is moral (and I think it's safe to assume we all agree that here too)...

...but there is this camp of thinking that uses the label of morality to isolate the 10 which I find inconsistent with scripture and it arbitrarily alienates the rest of law.

Yes. The idea is often presented that the 10 were inside the ark, and the rest on the outside.

This is a separation, but there is no scripture that says that things inside the ark are moral, while things outside are not moral.

The situation is compounded when seventh day observers keep some of the commandments on the outside of the ark. This seems to acknowledge that there is no inherent moral quality to being inside the ark.

I like to end with a song, hynm, or spiritual song
Psalm 144:9
I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you

If we define morality as anything of God then all the law is moral and any motivation to separate the 10 because of their moral qualities is meaningless, because it's all moral and our net result is all the law.

If we call the 10 this ideal moral code thst actually defines morality there is not logic to it because the laws motivation differ. No heuristic can be developed from this so that we understand morality itself, instead it's more of a "because the 10 said so" sentiment.

I'm looking for a definition of morality that if we thrown all the law into it, the 10 comes as the best match everytime. But the only way to capture this by asking "is it the 10? yes or no" if yes, then keep it, if no then you don't need to keep it.

But the 10 are not a very complete moral code, sure it's good not too murder but let's be honest we can do better then simply resisting to kill each other. I would say they act more like larger offence laws to keep civil order. So I cannot rightly say the 10 are our best example or moral code because of the large gaps I see in it not to mention the motivation of keeping it seems to be more 10-commandments-centric than it is morally driven. I don't want to have a tension in me about doing good on the Sabbath because I'm too afraid of breaking rest. That should not be a reason to resist doing good.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

Morality can be somewhat subjective although people of faith would agree it exists. I would agree that anything of God is moral (and I think it's safe to assume we all agree that here too) but there is this camp of thinking that uses the label of morality to isolate the 10 which I find inconsistent with scripture and it arbitrarily alienates the rest of law.

If we define morality as anything of God then all the law is moral and any motivation to separate the 10 because of their moral qualities is meaningless, because it's all moral and our net result is all the law.

If we call the 10 this ideal moral code thst actually defines morality there is not logic to it because the laws motivation differ. No heuristic can be developed from this so that we understand morality itself, instead it's more of a "because the 10 said so" sentiment.

I'm looking for a definition of morality that if we thrown all the law into it, the 10 comes as the best match everytime. But the only way to capture this by asking "is it the 10? yes or no" if yes, then keep it, if no then you don't need to keep it.

But the 10 are not a very complete moral code, sure it's good not too murder but let's be honest we can do better then simply resisting to kill each other. I would say they act more like larger offence laws to keep civil order. So I cannot rightly say the 10 are our best example or moral code because of the large gaps I see in it not to mention the motivation of keeping it seems to be more 10-commandments-centric than it is morally driven. I don't want to have a tension in me about doing good on the Sabbath because I'm too afraid of breaking rest. That should not be a reason to resist doing good.

I would like to respond by grounding the discussion in Scripture, highlighting that God’s law, including the Ten Commandments, is not simply a set of moral guidelines or civil laws but reflects the infinite wisdom of God and is integral to His holy and righteous nature.

First, it’s important to clarify that morality, as we understand it theologically, is not merely subjective or based on human preference. True morality is rooted in the nature and character of God. God is the standard of all that is good, righteous and perfect. Morality is not something that changes with human opinion or societal context. It is a reflection of God’s immutable nature, which is perfect, just, and Holy.

In this sense, all of God's commands—whether in the Ten Commandments or the broader Law of Moses—are expressions of His moral will. To speak of the Ten Commandments as more moral than other laws, or to isolate them as a separate category of morality, is problematic because it suggests that God’s law can be divided into moral and non-moral categories. All of God's law is moral because it reflects His perfect wisdom, justice, and holiness.

You mentioned the tendency to separate the Ten Commandments from the rest of the law, calling them a moral code while possibly dismissing other laws as less relevant. The Ten Commandments are foundational, yes, but they do not exist in isolation from the rest of God’s law. When God gave these commandments to Israel, He did not do so arbitrarily. These commandments are a part of the broader covenant law that governs the people of Israel in all aspects of life. The Ten Commandments reflect core moral principles of God's law, but they should not be seen as the full expression of God's moral will.

The moral law of God is not restricted to the Ten Commandments alone. In fact, the entirety of the Mosaic Law is moral because it all reflects God's will for His people. Whether it’s laws about justice, purity, compassion, or holiness, each command given by God reflects His perfect moral standard. Thus, to separate the Ten Commandments from the rest of the law would be to misunderstand the unity of God’s will. As we read in Psalm 119:172, “All Your commandments are righteousness.” This suggests that all of God’s commandments—whether found in the Ten Commandments or the Book of the Law—reflect His perfect and unchanging standard of morality.

Your point about the Ten Commandments not being a "complete moral code" is insightful. While the Ten Commandments are foundational to understanding God’s moral will, they are not an exhaustive treatment of morality. For example, the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) teaches respect for life, but it does not address more subtle moral questions, like hatred or unforgiveness (which Jesus elaborates upon in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:21-22). Similarly, the commandment to honor the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) teaches us to rest and keep the day holy, but it doesn’t address the nuances of how to care for others on the Sabbath—something Jesus Himself clarified (e.g., Matthew 12:9-14).

In this sense, the Ten Commandments are a starting point—a moral foundation—but they are not a comprehensive moral code. They establish fundamental principles that help define what is right and just, but they need to be interpreted in light of God’s fuller revelation of His will, especially as expressed through the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles.

Some commandments, such as the one found in Deuteronomy 21:18-21—which prescribes the death penalty for a rebellious child who does not honor his father and mother—may seem harsh or even morally questionable by contemporary standards. However, these laws must be understood within the context of ancient Israel and the specific circumstances of the Israelite journey through the wilderness. At that time, the Israelites were a newly formed nation under God’s direct governance, called to be holy and set apart as a people reflecting His justice and authority.

The morality behind such commandments was not arbitrary but served as a safeguard against rebellion and disorder within the community. In an environment where Israel was forming its identity and God’s holiness was being established as the central value, obedience to authority was essential. In this specific situation, a disrespect for parental authority symbolized a deeper rebellion against the very structure of society and divine order. The law, in this case, was not merely about punishment but about preserving the moral and social fabric of the nation. If respect for parental authority could not be established, it was feared that the nation would descend into chaos and lawlessness, undermining its covenant with God and its future. We must not forget that God knows the hearts of men and, in His infinite wisdom, gave the Law of Moses in accordance with the unique spiritual and social needs of the Israelites at that time. The law was designed not only to guide them morally but also to shape their hearts and behavior, preparing them to be a Holy nation set apart for His purposes. While some aspects of the law may seem harsh or difficult to understand today, they were given by God to address the specific challenges faced by the Israelites as they wandered in the desert and formed their identity as God’s covenant people.

I understand your concern about the motivation behind keeping the commandments, particularly in the context of the Sabbath. If one is obeying the command to rest simply out of fear of breaking the law, this is indeed an imperfect motivation. God’s laws, including the commandment to rest on the Sabbath, were never meant to be burdensome or joyless, Instead, the motivation for obeying God's commands should come from love for God and a desire to honor His holiness. Jesus clarified this deeper moral motivation when He spoke of the great commandment:
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV):
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

The heart of the law is love—love for God and love for others. If we are motivated by a heart of love and devotion to God, then keeping His commands is not a burden but a joy. The Sabbath, for example, is meant to be a blessing for us, a time to rest in God’s presence and reflect on His goodness. God’s wisdom in commanding us to rest is for our good and His glory and also instructs us to remember his Holiness and How he provides for us..

Jeremiah’s prophecy of the New Covenant speaks of God’s transformative work: "I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Jeremiah 31:33). This promise finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who came to inaugurate the New Covenant. First, He removed the penalty of sin, for God's people which was incurred by breaking the commandments. Then, He taught how to live according to God's commands, not just outwardly, but from the heart—emphasizing that true obedience stems from a transformed mind and spirit. Jesus showed us how to internalize the law, keeping it always in our hearts and minds, and living it out as a reflection of our intimate relationship with God.

Morality is not subjective, but is rooted in the infinite wisdom of God. The Ten Commandments are part of His moral will, but they are not the complete expression of that will. All of God’s law—whether it’s the Ten Commandments or the rest of the Mosaic Law—reflects God’s perfect and unchanging nature and in part His plans for humanity The moral code established by God in the Scriptures is a holistic and integrated reflection of His character, designed to guide His people in living according to His perfect will.

Ultimately, the fulfillment of the law is not found in merely following rules, but in living in a relationship with God that is characterized by love, humility, and obedience. The Sabbath, the moral commandments, and every other aspect of the law point us to God’s holiness and His desire for us to reflect His character in all aspects of our lives. We are called to live in a way that honors Him, and this will be marked by a moral life that reflects His love, justice, and mercy. God’s wisdom, as revealed in His law, shows us the path to true righteousness and life.