Is Keeping the Sabbath Really That Important?

by Stephanie A. Mayberry

There is a lot of controversy surrounding Sabbath and it seems that many people are confused or simply do not know what the Bible says about it. So, we’re going to take a look now.

Here are a few verses that you can look up and research to study it out for yourself. As you go through this, I encourage you to read the verses for yourself as wall as the verses before and after so that you can see it in context.

Exodus 20:8 – Where it all began or where we were officially given the commandment anyway. This is the fourth commandment that tells us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. More on “keeping it holy” later, keep reading.

This also applies to the High Sabbaths – the Feast Days.

Just because something is popular it doesn’t mean it is right.

Sabbath According to Scripture

Exodus 16:23 – Refers to the “Sabbath rest.” Moses and the Israelites kept the Sabbath and if you read through chapter 16 you can see that God not only expected it, He took it pretty seriously, making accommodations for the people so they could prepare.

In chapters 20 and 31 there is a lot of discussion about Sabbath:

• When it is (Exodus 20:10) – HINT: It’s the SEVENTH day according to God Almighty.
• Do not work or cause anyone else to do any work (Exodus 20:10) – HINT: This means no going out to eat or going shopping. Do no business.
• We MUST observe His Sabbath (Exodus 31:13) – HINT: Yes, He is talking to the Israelites, BUT if you read the ENTIRE verse you will see it says that observing the Sabbath will be a sign between true believers and God for GENERATIONS to come.
• Those who desecrate Sabbath are to be put to death and those who do any work on Sabbath must be cut off from their people (Exodus 31:14) – HINT: It did not end and has not ended. We are still bound to keeping Sabbath and it is JUST AS important as knowing how to baptize correctly. If EITHER one is it dismissed results in death and being cut off from your people.
• Acts 13:42 and 44 – Paul kept Sabbath. Also Acts 17:2 (it was Paul’s custom)

How to Observe Sabbath

Many people believe that going to church constitutes observing the Sabbath. If you read scripture you will see this is not true.

Sabbath is a time of fellowship. It may be just you or it may be a large gathering of your family and friends. You may attend a service somewhere, be it in a synagogue, a congregation, or a home church. You rest, you eat, you pray, you study scripture, and you DO NOT DO ANY WORK.

This means no going out to eat after service or going shopping. Scripture plainly says that we are not to do any work on the Sabbath, and we are not to cause anyone else to work.

Exodus 20:10 – Do not do any work on the Sabbath or cause anyone else to do any work. HINT: It says this again in Deuteronomy 5:14

Exodus 31:15 – Anyone who does work on the Sabbath is to be put to death. And what are the wages of sin? HINT: It says it again in Exodus 35:2

We are to keep the Sabbath Holy.

Jeremiah 17 – Keep the Sabbath day holy is mentioned several times throughout.

How Long are We to Observe Sabbath?

Sabbath and the High Sabbaths (feast days) are to be observed forever. Over and over in scripture we are reminded to keep Sabbath and keep the feasts forever. It is not something that was just for that time or for a certain people, it is for all of us who Love God and want to keep His commandments as He requires.

Leviticus 16:31 – The Sabbath rest is a LASTING ORDINANCE. HINT: He also commands “observe My Sabbath” in Leviticus 19:3, 19:30, and 26:2, also Deuteronomy 5:12

Leviticus 24:8 – The bread is to be set out each Sabbath on behalf of the Israelites as a lasting covenant. HINT: This means it did not end with the Israelites, it was not just for them, and it goes on and on.

What are the Consequences of Keeping or Not Keeping Sabbath?

There are some serious consequences for not keeping Sabbath – but there are some real blessings for those who do.

Here’s what the Bible has to say about it. Still think that keeping the Sabbath is not important?

Nehemiah 13:17-18 – Desecrating the Sabbath is wicked, a sin. It stirs up wrath against Israel. HINT: If you are truly a Bride of Christ then YOU ARE A JEW. We are grafted into Israel so when there is wrath against Israel, it is against us as well.

Isaiah 56:2 – The person who keeps the Sabbath and does not desecrate it is blessed by God Almighty.

Isaiah 58:13-14 – Those who keep the Sabbath, keep it holy, will find their JOY IN THE LORD.

Ezekiel 20:16 – Not keeping Sabbath is idolatry.

Did Jesus Violate Sabbath?

A common argument is that Jesus broke the Sabbath.

That isn’t exactly true.

Jesus violated the Pharisees’ hundreds of non-biblical laws regarding Sabbath. Jesus was very much against Rabbinic law because it is not biblical. He took every opportunity he could to violate those man made laws.

But never did He violate God’s laws including the true, biblical Sabbath.

Matthew 12:1-2 – Yes, Jesus violated Sabbath as defined by the Pharisees. But He still kept Sabbath as commanded by God Almighty. The Pharisees had a number of man made laws that were not Biblical. Jesus violated those. But He did keep Sabbath.

Matthew 12:11-12 – Ministering to others in dire need (healing) is not a violation of Sabbath. It was a man made law. It is lawful to do good on Sabbath.

Is the Sabbath for Today?

Absolutely. The Sabbath is for today and it is for everyone. God created it for us to have rest. It is not like the other days and it isn’t supposed to be. It is set aside, special, and treated differently from the other days of the week.

People say, “I worship Jesus every day! Every day is my Sabbath.”

They are missing the point. They don’t understand what the Sabbath is.

First, Sabbath is on the seventh day. That is what scripture tells us.

Second, you can’t treat Sabbath like any other day, especially if you go to work, go out to eat, go shopping, go to the gas station to put fuel in your car, do housework, and so on.

Sabbath is to be set aside and revered. It is a day of rest that is like no other.

Matthew 24:20 – When the abomination that causes desolation (the end times) comes to pass we are to pray that our flight does not take place in winter or ON THE SABBATH. This is talking in future tense. This is something that WILL come to pass – AFTER Jesus has ascended. So, God expects us to CONTINUE keeping Sabbath FOREVER.

Hebrews 4:1 – The Sabbath rest STILL STANDS. Also, in Hebrews 4:9.

Observe the Sabbath appears in

Leviticus 16:31
Leviticus 19:3
Leviticus 19:30
Leviticus 26:2
Deuteronomy 5:12

Jesus kept the Sabbath, Paul kept the Sabbath, the disciples kept the Sabbath and it was STILL being observed long after Jesus ascended.

Shalom.

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