The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

Sabbath

The Hebrew word for Sabbath means "to cease or abstain."

The Sabbath is taught in many places, including (Ex 16:22-30; 20:8-11; 23:12; 31:12-16; 34:21; 35:2-3; Lev 23:3; 26:2; Num 15:32-36; 28:9-10; Deut 5:12-15).

Two reasons are given for observing the Sabbath:

(1) Creation and (2) Exodus.

(Ex 20:8-11) reminded the nation of Israel to remember that God rested on the seventh day (Gen 2:2). This grounds the observance of the Sabbath in the creation of the world. (Deut 5:12-15) reminded Israel to remember its bondage years when there was no rest. This passage fixed the origin of the Sabbath in the bondage of the Hebrews in Egypt.

The Israelites were instructed to include the family, the hired servants, the stranger, and even their domestic animals in observance of this holy day. All were commanded to cease from normal labor. This included the command not to gather firewood (Num 15:32-36) or to kindle a fire (Ex 35:2-3). Stoning to death was apparently the penalty for gathering firewood on the Sabbath. Those who violated the Sabbath would be excommunicated from the community or could be put to death (Ex 31:12-16).

The Sabbath became not only a day of rest but a convocation (meeting time) to the Lord as well. A specific sacrifice on the Sabbath is required in (Num 28:9-10). It included a lamb, a meal offering mixed with oil, and a drink offering. This was to be offered as a burnt offering.

The purpose of the Sabbath was twofold. It symbolized that the nation of Israel had been set apart by the Lord as His special people. The Sabbath was also a celebration of the fact that the land belonged to God. This is seen in His provision of a Sabbatical Year-- one year out of every seven when the land should rest from cultivation in order to renew and replenish itself.

The observance of the Sabbath set the Hebrew people apart from their neighbors. Unfortunately, burdensome restrictions and heavy requirements eventually grew up around its observance. The day that was set apart for rest, renewal, and worship became a day filled with rules of many things that must not be done.

Jesus revealed the true intent of the Sabbath (Mt 12:1-14; Mk 2:23--3:6; Lk 6:1-11). He declared God's intention for the Sabbath by pointing out that "the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27).