Why the Sabbath is a moral commandment

[DamianWarS]

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.

Yes I agree, a 10 commandment vacuum was never the intent plus in practice our motivations go well beyond the 10 (as they should). I feel like often a call to the 10 is more about highlighting the sabbath (and for something reason dietary laws)

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

Taking time to pause and reflect is always beneficial and I appreciate the focus. I've been listening to a new song by river valley worship called "Testify". It's catchy and easy to listen to but I've been pulled in my the lyrics. chorus is:

"For all my days I'll sing Your praise as a testament to Your faithfulness

"For all my life I'll lift you high
Your the one who brought me back to life

 

[Leaf473]

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,

I'm not aware of a scripture that says this

Blessings!

...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.

@Bob S This text replies in part to one of your last post to me regarding the "613" items of the law.

 

[DamianWarS]

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.

It's the "including the 10 commandments" parts that have historically been loaded in these discussions and carries a meaning closer to a 10 commandments vacuum. The 10 are a part of the torah. The Torah as a whole, and not an isolated part, reflects the nature of God.

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....

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.

It indeed is problematic. The 10 commandments inherit the implicit morality of God which is the same for all laws so there is no cause to isolate the 10 by looking through this morality. This moral framework needs to be taken in context, some are universally moral and don't need a written law to be known. In contrast, others have deeper meaning, and their surface components do not describe moral action but need revelation to understand their role within a moral framework.

Laws of ceremonial, ritual, symbolic, etc.. in natural need further unpacking to understand their deeper meanings, where alone their moral counterpart is hidden. For example, separation laws like not mixing grains or threads or not breeding different species (like a horse or a donkey to make a mule). These do not involve moral action and if I take two grains and mix them together it is not a moral failing. Laws like this have purpose in a grander plan of salvation and a call for holiness. (but God doesn't actually care about mixing grains) If we put a blanket statement over all law and call it moral then this doesn't help to articulate morality well and is a non-critical way of approaching the subject because it doesn't qualify moral behaviour vs something like ritual or ceremonial acts.

The act of the ceremony or ritual do not describe moral action innately, they are deep with meaning and they point to something bigger with a moral base. Sabbath is such a law since ritual rest is not of moral action which is why the Sabbath must be understood spiritually to understand it's universal aspect and role in a larger plan.

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. ...

I'm not trying to trap you but earlier you stated "But these commandments, as mentioned before are not replacements for the Ten Commandments; they are the foundation of them all." So, which is the foundation of which? Christ's says the law and the prophets hang upon these two commandments (Christ's law) and by these words I see Christ's law as foundational to all law even to the 10 commandments.

You're taking "arbitrarily" out of context (if it's a comment on my use of the word). God doesn't do anything arbitrarily, but we do all the time. The way we approach law may miss the point and not be aligned with God purpose. We may interpret arbitrary action or definition out of law that does not reflect its intent but is more agenda-driven.

The moral role of the 10 I would suggest is more driven at depaganising Israel by establishing core monotheistic principles and worldviews that align with God's character that were otherwise inconsistent with surronding cultures; it's a polemic to the surrounding cultural laws of the day. Moses essentially christens the 10 by destroying it in rage against violators of it. Christ, however wasn't trying to depaganize Israel, they were vehemently monotheistic by that time, but suffered from legalism and lost focus of the spirit of the law. Christ's law in its simplicity and heuristic approach can be a polemic to legalism and a return to core values of love and sacrifice. He does not highlight the 10 here and we should take pause at that, he instead indiscriminately lumps it together without hierarchy and says it all "hang upon these two commandments".

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. ...

I sense a "but" here...

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 ...

Christ law operates at a deeper foundation than the 10 do (by explicit definition) and they are more exhaustive than the 10 from their heuristic approach (the 10 are not a heuristic, it is black and white do or don't). Although the 10 might have been foundational to the Hebrews it is not to us, as we have deeper foundational revelation from Christ and it is the deeper that is better.

Christ speaks of the abstract of goodness as lawful action on the Sabbath. He could have said something more limiting like saving a life or healing (which is often the interpretation) but he chose an example of saving sheep that can have intentional wide application both physical and spiritual. Rescuing sheep is a major flag that we should recognize instantly as not about sheep but about people, and not about their physical state but their spiritual state. He calls it out himself saying "how much more valuable are people". I'll connect the dots... how much more valuable is the spiritual state than the physical too?

Sabbath rest is counter-productive when we hoard it, inbeded in the commandment is ensure all those under your care have rest. Christ took a localised expression of "neighbour" and essentially turn it into a meaning for all. When keeping Christ's law, we are not just concerned about our inner circle but should be concerned for those as wide and far as possible as to how we are called. A better goal is to share sabbath than to hoard it which is inline with NT teaching (even if it involves work). I'm not talking about physical rest, I'm talking about spiritual rest. Goodness is mechanism of lawful action that we cannot merely sweep under a rug. Trapped sheep is a metaphor for the lost so there is an implicit missional charge in this goodness on the sabbath. It is not just lawful, but it is a better way aligning with Christ's law over the letter of the 4th; Christ is showing us how the 4th looks through his lens.

It is about his kingdom and spreading the glory of God as far and wide as possible but some too busy resting to hear the bleating sheep trapped in pits that surround them. If those in a 50 m radius haven't experienced God's rest then this is a call to work, not a call to rest. We have physical limits and I don't mean to suggest at the cost of our health but if we can't justify helping our neighbour or instead avoid them on the Sabbath too fearful of turning them down because it would violate our practice of rest then we are prioritizing rest over being able to connect with people. I intentionally seek to help my neighbour (they are all Muslim) and if it's the sabbath and he asks me to help move a couch I'm happy to assist and praise God while doing so. My goal is missionally driven and is not to break rest (even if the latter is the product)

I'm not interested in how or if you rest, I'm interested in how you spread his glory. In this space there is no violation of any laws.

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.

Foundational principles to oppose competing pagan values of surrounding cultures. The moral goal of the 10 is less about love for neighbour, and more about a standard that is intentionally counter-cultural and separate from these competing cultures. This has to be established first as a framework for love to happen because if we killing each other, stealing, lying and having orgies, or if we have a stack of idols in our cloest this is a destructive environment where love cannot flourish. destructive but common in surrounding cultures (and apparently within Israel as well such as what we see demonstrated countless times). That destructive environment needs to be recalibrated before love can flourish and that's what the 10 do. Similar to the creation acount it is also a polemic of the Egyptian or Sumerian cosmology myths. It's designed to depaganise and to align with monotheistic values while also showing a plan for salvation. The literal details of it to me are the most uninteresting part of the account. Law has a similar focus.

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. ...

I am not challenging the standard the law sets. I am challenging our motivation for keeping it and the way we value Christ's revelation of it.

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."

As should be the motivation behind all obedience

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..

It is the spiritual component of the Sabbath that is the blessing. Physical restoration has value indeed, and it is its own blessing. In the practice of Sabbath you're going to have the benefits of the physical aspects. But the spiritual blessing of the sabbath is greater and should be our focus over the physical. Some are not able to gain the physical benefits because of the a physical depraved state they are in, but they still are able to have access to the spiritual rest. If you already have the spiritual blessing, then we should share it. I like Paul's focus here "I do this all for the sake of the gospel that I might share in its blessing" (1 Cor 9:23). So yes, I missionally approach the Sabbath.

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.

I broadly agree, yet we do not practice all aspects of law. There seems to be an underlying "but" here and and an elevated value of the 10 over the others. Which part of the law are we to keep and which parts are we no longer under obligation to keep? Why are some this way and others that way? Because the measure still seems to be if it's the 10 commandments or not.

Let's start with circumcision as it is a mirror role of the Sabbath in the Abrahamic covenant. (Both are signs of everlasting covenants) What is our obligation to value the commandment of God to circumcise all males in the flesh? Or do we follow NT teaching and see ourselves not under the physical obligation, but instead view it as a spiritual obligation? Can this be applied to Sabbath.... I'm sure the answer that will be returned will amount to no... So why not? Why is circumcision revealed through spiritual means, with a greater focus on the spiritual and Sabbath not? What is more important? Physical rest or spiritual? So which should we value more, physical rest or the spiritual? What NT teaching reinforces sabbath law so that it shows us a continued obligation to this physical ritual of rest?