Theological question about the Sabbath

[arunma]

In Genesis 2:2, Moses writes, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." Most of us do not believe that God requires rest after doing any sort of work, so we believe instead that in this context, the word "rested" implies a sort of desisting, in the same sense that a trial lawyer rests his case.

But I've been wondering: should this not have theological implications? Verse 3 says, "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." Thus, the fact that God made the world in seven days is stated with a theological conclusion in mind (whether the days are literal, 24-hour days is irrelevant to my question, by the way). Christians are supposed to immitate God in this fashion. Six days we do our secular work, and the seventh day is dedicated to the worship of God.

Now I don't want to get legalistic about this, because Jesus condemned that sort of legalism. But if we are to immitate God most accurately, should we not end our secular work on the seventh day, rather than simply take a break from it? In other words, if we leave secular matters unfinished, we haven't rested from our work in the same way that God rested from his work. And in a way, it makes sense that we shouldn't leave things unfinished on the Sabbath, because a person who has completed his work won't be preoccupied with it while he is worshiping God.

Again, I'm not trying to say that Christians must do this, or that they even have to observe the Sabbath at all, because the Sabbath was made for man. I'm just trying to figure out how God intends for us to view the Sabbath.

[Flynmonkie]

Interesting point! I have been pondering this whole idea lately too!
I believe unfinished work is unfinished work also.

But I wonder if this is an indication of Gods character for enjoyment or remembering to stop and smell the roses? Remembering to take time to play?

If we work six days out of the week - the pressures etc.. We endure can be taxing. On the seventh day "resting" from this - would this not be a potential "recharging" of sorts? Remembering to savor the fruit of our labors, and blessings? God indicating to us that it is "ok" to do this?

Have not gone as far as you have in research - But it has been weighing on my mind alot lately ---He might be telling me something!

[novcncy]

I too have an observation to insert.

Although we go to church on Sunday, it is not quite a day of rest, if you know what I mean. Between getting yourself and the family ready to go to church, getting there early to practice for special music or teach SS, or whatever your particular ministry is, etc. etc., it can be a long day. In my old church (we moved, which is the only reason it's my old church ;) ), we were going through that phase where the church was growing but the building wasn't, so we were having two sunday morning services. Since my wife and I sang in the choir, we had to be there by 8, and it was 45 minutes away, and so we were getting up at 530 or 6, just to get there on time, and then we were there until 1130 or so, and that was just for the morning services! We were back at 430 for choir practice. What I'm saying is that if you're actively involved in your church, it can turn into a pretty exhausting day.

Now there's nothing wrong with that, per se, but I have made a conscious effort to relax on Saturday. I think it's great that we can give the first day of our labor to God, but I've always thought that folks who thought Sunday was a day of rest, or a replacement for the Sabbath, to be a bit off in their ideology. Should we have a day of rest? Probably, that's the way God built us.

I don't think we have to make our day of worship, and our day of rest the same thing. After all, shouldn't every day be a day of worship?

[arunma]

Yes, that's a good point. I'm in my church's parking ministry (it sounds more glamorous than it really is, since all we do is help people find parking). Even that can get a bit hectic, since I've got to wake up much earlier than usual. However, if our day of rest and our day of worship aren't the same thing, then should we do our secular work on Sunday?

[Richard]

Yes, that's a good point. I'm in my church's parking ministry (it sounds more glamorous than it really is, since all we do is help people find parking). Even that can get a bit hectic, since I've got to wake up much earlier than usual. However, if our day of rest and our day of worship aren't the same thing, then should we do our secular work on Sunday?

I think it's a judgement call. If it'll hinder you from going to Church I wouldn't,but I work on Sunday afternoons and evenings. At the times I don't go to church. So I believe it's ok!

[Terri]

I believe this to be one of those personal decisions that is between the individual and God.

If you feel that you should have a "day of rest" then you should. You are doing this "unto the Lord" and giving Him glory.

Of course those that feel that all days are alike do it "unto the Lord" and are glorifying His name as well.

I don't believe you can go wrong in this particular matter as long as what you are doing is by faith for you personally.

Of course the most important rest is the one that we enter when we enter God's rest by trusting in His Son for the forgiveness of our sins.

HEB 3:10 That is why I was angry with that generation,
and I said, `Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.'

HEB 3:11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
`They shall never enter my rest.' "

HEB 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15 As has just been said:

"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion."

HEB 3:16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

HEB 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

"So I declared on oath in my anger,
`They shall never enter my rest.' "

And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work." 5 And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."

HEB 4:6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. 7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:

"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."

HEB 4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

[novcncy]

Of course the most important rest is the one that we enter when we enter God's rest by trusting in His Son for the forgiveness of our sins.

YEAH!!!!:amen: That's such an awesome prospect, it just totally encouraged me. Thanks for putting it up.

[Flynmonkie]

[b][color=green]I believe this to be one of those personal decisions that is between the individual and God.

If you feel that you should have a "day of rest" then you should. You are doing this "unto the Lord" and giving Him glory.

Of course those that feel that all days are alike do it "unto the Lord" and are glorifying His name as well.

I don't believe you can go wrong in this particular matter as long as what you are doing is by faith for you personally.

:thumbsup: I know that this is something many Christians struggle with at times... I think you summed it up very well!

I always feel guilty if I work on Sundays - just a silly thing that I guess I grew up with! Guilty for everything!

BTW So Glad to see you! :hug:

[seebs]

Some jobs are not of a sort that can be completed -- but then, you could argue that each birth shows that God's work of Creation is not yet over.

But I do think that, whenever we stop working, we should try to genuinely rest from our work, and not carry it with us everywhere. I struggle with this, and I know that when I didn't try as hard, my spouse suffered for my error.

I think you have hit upon something fairly important, and it is a good insight.

[Redguard]

I find that my Saturday's are quite relaxing and work free. Great Sabbath enjoyment.

[mesue]

In Genesis 2:2, Moses writes, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." Most of us do not believe that God requires rest after doing any sort of work, so we believe instead that in this context, the word "rested" implies a sort of desisting, in the same sense that a trial lawyer rests his case.

But I've been wondering: should this not have theological implications? Verse 3 says, "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." Thus, the fact that God made the world in seven days is stated with a theological conclusion in mind (whether the days are literal, 24-hour days is irrelevant to my question, by the way). Christians are supposed to immitate God in this fashion. Six days we do our secular work, and the seventh day is dedicated to the worship of God.

Now I don't want to get legalistic about this, because Jesus condemned that sort of legalism. But if we are to immitate God most accurately, should we not end our secular work on the seventh day, rather than simply take a break from it? In other words, if we leave secular matters unfinished, we haven't rested from our work in the same way that God rested from his work. And in a way, it makes sense that we shouldn't leave things unfinished on the Sabbath, because a person who has completed his work won't be preoccupied with it while he is worshiping God.

Again, I'm not trying to say that Christians must do this, or that they even have to observe the Sabbath at all, because the Sabbath was made for man. I'm just trying to figure out how God intends for us to view the Sabbath.
I'm Christian, I love the Lord and His law, He made me a Registered Nurse. I have worked every other Saturday and Sunday for 16 years. Where would the sick and dying be with out the nurses in the hospital to take care of them?
This verse helped me a lot.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus said it is finished. We are no longer bound to the works of the law.
because:
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
and these 2 (I include the 1st because it's one of my favorites but really it's the 2nd verse that answers the question)
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
I love Galatians for grace vs works answers. :D
I try to keep one day a week for Him. I believe He wants us to rest, and to rest in Him. To me, it's kinda like tithing, we give back to Him what He has given to us.

[seebs]

mesue, consider this:
Matthew 12:10-12

[JPPT1974]

Jesus healed somebody on the Sabbath day and the leaders who were trying to trick Him accuse Him of healing someone on the day where nobody is supposed to work and everybody is supposed to rest.

[mesue]

mesue, consider this:
Matthew 12:10-1210 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

In light of what I said, it sorta' backed up what I said.
Thanx seebs :thumbsup:

[edb19]

Observing the Lord's Day is simply being obedient to the 4th Commandment. It isn't a burden, it isn't a hardship - in fact, it can be pretty darn enjoyable. Many of my church family don't turn their computer or tv's on, most don't go out to restaurants - all spend time with their family and friends. Once upon a time we all knew that Sundays were for family and for rest - even those who weren't Christian. But we've let other things obscure that. How many of us have children who participate in sporting events on Sundays or go to the mall or grocery store. Nowadays the stores that are closed on Sundays are few and far between - but I make a point of patronizing them Monday through Saturday.

Are there work obligations - absolutely. The worship leader at my church is a firefighter and works every 3rd Sunday. Other medical people have job obligations also. I'm not beating anyone up who has to provide a service on Sundays. But we should be sure and enjoy the time we do have on the Lord's day.

[Redguard]

Observing the Lord's Day is simply being obedient to the 4th Commandment. It isn't a burden, it isn't a hardship - in fact, it can be pretty darn enjoyable. Many of my church family don't turn their computer or tv's on, most don't go out to restaurants - all spend time with their family and friends. Once upon a time we all knew that Sundays were for family and for rest - even those who weren't Christian. But we've let other things obscure that. How many of us have children who participate in sporting events on Sundays or go to the mall or grocery store. Nowadays the stores that are closed on Sundays are few and far between - but I make a point of patronizing them Monday through Saturday.

Are there work obligations - absolutely. The worship leader at my church is a firefighter and works every 3rd Sunday. Other medical people have job obligations also. I'm not beating anyone up who has to provide a service on Sundays. But we should be sure and enjoy the time we do have on the Lord's day.
Are you referring to Sunday or Saturday Sabbath?

[arunma]

Observing the Lord's Day is simply being obedient to the 4th Commandment. It isn't a burden, it isn't a hardship - in fact, it can be pretty darn enjoyable.

Indeed. It says, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (St. Matthew 11:30).

Are you referring to Sunday or Saturday Sabbath?

I think Sunday. She said, "Nowadays the stores that are closed on Sundays are few and far between - but I make a point of patronizing them Monday through Saturday."

[Andyman_1970]

Six days we do our secular work, and the seventh day is dedicated to the worship of God.

First, please realize that the idea that a Christians life is separated into “secular” and “spiritual” is an influence from an ancient 1st century philosophy called Gnosticism. In the Hebrew Scriptures there is no word for “spiritual” because to label on thing spiritual meant that something else was not, and to a Jew (with a specific Jewish way of thinking) everything was/is spiritual. Everything from taking out the trash to changing diapers has spiritual implications. It's interesting how even after thousands of years Gnosticism still has an influence on the church and Christians today.

If you look at the teaching of the Bible there was no division between your natural life and your spiritual life, it was all just life. So whether we were in recreation, whether we were in work, or whether we were in service for God, it was all just life, it was all governed by the same principles, it was all open to the same blessings, because if that was not true, God would say, ‘I would bless you in the meeting, and I would bless you in the giving to the poor, and I would bless you in teaching the children in the Word of God.’ But it doesn’t say that. It says, ‘I will bless you in your basket, I’ll bless you in the storehouse, I’ll bless you when you come in, and when you go out. I’ll bless you in the field, and I’ll bless you in the house. I’ll bless you in the country, and I’ll bless you in the city. I’ll bless you wherever you go.’ The blessing of God comes on us, and in Deuteronomy 28 you will find that the blessings of God touched every area of our lives because God makes no distinction between natural and spiritual. It’s all spiritual, and it’s all natural.

The Lord goes on in Deuteronomy 29 to tell them how He took care of their shoes, how much more "unspiritual" can you get than shoes. If you are a Christian, guess what? There is NO "secular" part to your life, none. Where ever you go, whatever you do, you are bringing Jesus to that situation, whether it's at work, at home, at the grocery store. Colossians 3:17 says "whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of Jesus", notice here how Paul says "whatever" you do. How much of your life is whatever?

Just read the Torah, notice all the little details God is concerned with, from sex, to the fabric your clothes are made of, to how you treat your neighbor – being a follower of Jesus and living out His greatest command “love the Lord your God……….” means that your WHOLE LIFE, everyday is dedicated to worship and live for God, not just the times your at church.

Now I don't want to get legalistic about this, because Jesus condemned that sort of legalism. But if we are to immitate God most accurately, should we not end our secular work on the seventh day, rather than simply take a break from it? In other words, if we leave secular matters unfinished, we haven't rested from our work in the same way that God rested from his work. And in a way, it makes sense that we shouldn't leave things unfinished on the Sabbath, because a person who has completed his work won't be preoccupied with it while he is worshiping God.



Remember, when did God give them the Sabbath command. What had the Jews been doing for 400 years, they were brick making machines, 24/7 they made bricks. So God says take one day and rest, realize that your worth comes not from what you make but from simply that you are a child of God. God is so interested in every part of how we live, He even gives us a rhythm for your life, work 6 days, rest 1 day. The whole point of the Torah is to realize that even though you don’t “have your work done” it doesn’t matter, a persons worth does not come from how much they can produce, but from the simple fact that they have been created in the image of the Creator of the Universe. So I think the point is to leave things unfinished, and not worry about them (remember Jesus says not to worry about stuff, Matthew 6), and just relax in the knowledge that you are precious to God just because He made you.

[Andyman_1970]

Indeed. It says, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (St. Matthew 11:30).


Keep in mind that when a Jewish rabbi says "yoke" he (in this case Jesus) means His interpretation of Torah.

[Andyman_1970]

Although we go to church on Sunday, it is not quite a day of rest, if you know what I mean. Between getting yourself and the family ready to go to church, getting there early to practice for special music or teach SS, or whatever your particular ministry is, etc. etc., it can be a long day.

…………….. but I've always thought that folks who thought Sunday was a day of rest, or a replacement for the Sabbath, to be a bit off in their ideology. Should we have a day of rest? Probably, that's the way God built us.

I don't think we have to make our day of worship, and our day of rest the same thing. After all, shouldn't every day be a day of worship?

Well said.

I can speak for our family, but it’s not unusual for us to spend 8+ hours at church on Sunday. My wife is on the praise team so we have to be there at 8:00am for their practice, which gives me an hour to prep the College ministry house for Sunday School (which I teach/lead). SS is at 9:00am, then church starts at 10:15 and rarely out before 12:30. Then every other Sunday we are back at 4:00pm either for my wifes choir stuff, or a SS teacher meeting, then the evening service starts at 6:00pm, it’s rarely over before 7:30……………..so it’s easy to see how that can be a long busy day, especially with a 1 year old.

So my wife and I came to the conclusion that Saturday would be our day of rest (a Sabbath if you will). One rabbi I read said that the Sabbath is a day where nothing is urgent, he even goes as far as to not wear a watch, with the idea that today we are slaves to time today (paralleling the slavery of the Jews in Egypt). So we do the same in our house, if we don’t want to answer the phone we don’t, I don’t wear my watch, I try to make sure all my big chores are done earlier in the week (mowing for example), so on Saturday if my wife and I want to do something we have time for it. So if we want to sleep in we do, if we want to lounge around and wrestle with Noah (our 1 year old) we do, if I want to go on a 50 mile bike ride I do, if we want to go drive in the country we do. It’s not a legalistic observance, it’s a time to rest and let God restore us.

[Redguard]

I think Sunday. She said, "Nowadays the stores that are closed on Sundays are few and far between - but I make a point of patronizing them Monday through Saturday."

I'm not meaning to start an SDA style debate or anything, but can the word "Sabbath" truly be applied to Sunday? Isn't that a misapplication of the word considering it's original definition?

No wonder I was getting confused by these references to Sunday. Although I attend church on Sunday, it's clearly understood by all in my congregation that Sunday church attendance isn't a fulfillment of the 4th commandment.

Lord's Day and Sabbath are two different things. But again, not looking to start a debate, just wanted to clear up my confusion.

[arunma]

I'm not meaning to start an SDA style debate or anything, but can the word "Sabbath" truly be applied to Sunday? Isn't that a misapplication of the word considering it's original definition?

No wonder I was getting confused by these references to Sunday. Although I attend church on Sunday, it's clearly understood by all in my congregation that Sunday church attendance isn't a fulfillment of the 4th commandment.

Lord's Day and Sabbath are two different things. But again, not looking to start a debate, just wanted to clear up my confusion.

I think the Sabbath does indeed refer to Sunday. In the early church, Sunday was always understood as the Sabbath, because it was on that day that Jesus was resurrected. As for "fulfillment" of the commandment, I don't think this is necessary, since the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

[Redguard]

I think the Sabbath does indeed refer to Sunday. In the early church, Sunday was always understood as the Sabbath, because it was on that day that Jesus was resurrected. As for "fulfillment" of the commandment, I don't think this is necessary, since the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
So Sunday's the seventh day of the week?

[novcncy]

I think the Sabbath does indeed refer to Sunday. In the early church, Sunday was always understood as the Sabbath, because it was on that day that Jesus was resurrected. As for "fulfillment" of the commandment, I don't think this is necessary, since the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

I don't agree with that. I think the Sabbath is still, technically, Saturday.

I do agree though that we are not bound to observe the Sabbath. I think though, that since God made the Sabbath for us, we should take advantage of it, and then wholeheartedly give the first day of the week in service to our God.

[Andyman_1970]

I think the Sabbath does indeed refer to Sunday. In the early church, Sunday was always understood as the Sabbath, because it was on that day that Jesus was resurrected. As for "fulfillment" of the commandment, I don't think this is necessary, since the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

So pre Acts 10 the early church wasn't Jewish??? Sabbath to a Jew is always Saturday.