Some Sabbath Thoughts (Repost)
This article was originally written and posted by Brian Nicklaus on October 22, 2023Genesis 2:1-2 (NLT)
“So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested[“ceased”] from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested (ceased) from all his work of creation.”
Stopping is hard for many of us. In society some may recommend “slowing down” and “stopping to smell the roses” but few, even Christian leaders, seem to recommend a full STOP.
For some it’s guilt and shame. Believing “I’m not good enough” can lead us to overworking to prove or impress God, our boss, maybe ourselves. For others, it’s performative and even arrogant. “I’m better than you” because I work 50, 60, or more hours per week. “LOOK AT HOW TIRED I AM!!”
The Creator, who doesn’t get tired, who doesn’t need sleep, He stopped. And He told his people that they need to stop from time to time. Commanded them.
One thing I have learned about Sabbath is that it is a reminder that I am not God. I am a finite creation with limitations and weaknesses. We often deny and avoid that truth, but it will always lead to trouble. “A man’s got to know his limitations” is one of my favorite quotes. Well, maybe it’s not a favorite as a much-needed reminder.
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Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5
Something was added in between the 40 years of wilderness wandering. There are two interesting differences in these passages. I just want to mention one of them.
When you compare the two times the 10 Commandments are listed in the Old Testament, some extra statements are added in Deuteronomy 5. Deuteronomy talks about the Israelites’ time in Egypt as slaves, under Pharoah.
Verse 15—”Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.”
What I have learned from this verse is that God is not like Pharoah. God does not want slaves. God isn’t trying to make our work harder. His “yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11) It’s true that He is our Lord and Master, but also true that He is our Father. I am not suggesting the Christian life is easy, but submitting to a Loving Father is very different from being enslaved by an evil King. And that is good news!
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Why even talk about Sabbath? It was given to the Jews. I am a follower of Jesus. I worship on Sunday. That’s LAW and we are under Grace!
Mark 2:27—”Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”
The Sabbath, which was created prior to the OT Law, was much more a GIFT than it was a command or law. The Creator who knows that we are made from dust and who knows that our bodies, minds and spirits tire, wants us to rest for our sake. Because we need it. This means we won’t be as productive and that is okay. Some things won’t get done. We need cycles of rest and work. Sabbath is not contrary to a good work ethic, it is a part of it.
Recognize your limitations. Take care of yourself. God loves you and knows what you need. Believe that God is for you. Get some rest!
