A day is one revolution of the earth on its axis. The month is based on the moon's orbit around the earth. In one year the earth revolves around the sun. But where does the week come from?
This unit of time has nothing to do with sun, moon, stars or planets, but originated at creation. The seventh day of the week, figuratively speaking, revolves around the Creator of heaven and earth. Although God is the center of the weekly day of rest, this sacred day also contributes to our well-being.
Of all times
The weekly day of rest is of all times. It was instituted at the beginning of this world, as we read in Genesis 2:2-3: “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
Since then, this day has been celebrated weekly by those who want to serve God.
When Jesus speaks of the great tribulation, He says, "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day." Matthew 24:20. It was His custom to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest. And given this statement, it is intended to continue to honor this day, even after the resurrection and after the time of the Bible. Jesus is referring here to the destruction of Jerusalem that took place decades after His time on earth. It also points to the great tribulation that will be just before the Second Coming.
The Sabbath is an eternal sign between God and His people (Exodus 31:17). The Sabbath will also be observed after His second coming. “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 66:22-23.
For all people
The Sabbath is not for a specific group, but for all people. It was given to our ancestors Adam and Eve.
The fourth commandment states that not only the believer must keep the day of rest holy, but the whole family as well as employees and (foreign) guests. This special day is for everyone.
Jesus confirms this when He says, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" Mark 2:27.
The Greek word for ‘man’ is anthropos. It is a generic word for people or humanity. The Sabbath is therefore for everyone, regardless of whether you are male or female, young or old or what your origin is.
Day of the Lord
In continuation of the latter Bible text it says: "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." Mark 2:28. The same is also found in Matthew 12:8 and Luke 6:5. Jesus is Lord of the seventh day of the week. In the fourth commandment we also find that it is the day of the Lord. “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God” Exodus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 5:14.
Finally, in Revelation 1:10, John calls the Sabbath the day of the Lord. So it is not a day that belongs to a certain nation or a certain group, but God's day.
Blessing
While the weekly day of rest is for the glory of God, the Lord also gives it to us, for the blessing and benefit of humanity. Here we come back to Mark 2 verse 27 and the fourth commandment. The Sabbath was made for man's sake. Not a ‘thou shalt’ or ‘thou shalt not,’ but a reminder, "Remember the Sabbath day…" In our fast-moving world, the Sabbath is a gift to man.
In short, the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and us. This can be found in Exodus 31:16 and 17 and Ezekiel 20:12 and 20.
In Isaiah, a blessing is pronounced on those who keep the Sabbath.
“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:13-14.
Benefits
How can the rest day contribute to our well-being and health?
The Sabbath is a day of the week when it is not about our work, school or other daily activities. It is a day to pause and relax. To be free from all worries. "On the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed." Exodus 31:17. For God Himself it is a day of refreshment. So, we can also use this time to recharge and de-stress ourselves.
It is also a day to gather with fellow believers to praise the Lord. We can strengthen and encourage each other.
Above all, during the Sabbath, we may focus on God and His goodness. The Sabbath is a reminder of God's love and care for us.
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