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Isaiah 58:13-14 - Keeping the Sabbath God's Way.

Isaiah 58:13-14 (NIV) "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

OVERVIEW

The day of rest should be observed and regarded not only because keeping the Sabbath is a commandment but also because it is best for us and it honors God. Keeping the Sabbath shows proper respect to God, our creator, who also rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3). It also unifies families and sets priorities for them. Our day of rest refreshes us spiritually and physically, providing time when we can gather with others for worship and reflect on God without the stress of our everyday activities. [Life Application SB 2019]

INTRODUCTION

A Gift That Keeps Giving
   An Amazing Fact: Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut is an observant Jew who has made a practice of observing the Sabbath since the early days of his political career. He wrote a book, released in August 2011, about his faith and political career in which he emphasized the beauty of the Sabbath.
   Senator Lieberman describes his observance of the Sabbath as "according to the Jewish practice," which includes not turning on lights or driving a car during the holy hours. He also turns off his cell phone and electronic devices, only leaving his home's landline active in case of emergencies. He spends the time with his family and, he says, tries to enjoy a Sabbath afternoon nap.
   Jesus affirmed His belief in observing the Sabbath both by claiming ownership of it as "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28) and by faithfully observing it Himself through corporate religious worship (Luke 4:16). However, unlike Senator Lieberman, He chose not to observe the rabbinical teachings about the Sabbath, calling them "the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). Instead, He focused on worship, healing, and sustenance.
   Many people in today's world believe that the seventh-day Sabbath has been abolished, replaced instead by an alternate day of worship. While many people with this belief are sincere lovers of God, the Bible tells us not only that the Sabbath remains in effect today, but it will also stay that way throughout eternity. Isaiah 66:23 tell us, regarding God's kingdom, "And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me." [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   The Sabbath is not introduced as a new institution but as having been founded at creation. It is to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the Creator's work. Pointing to God as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, it distinguishes the true God from all false gods. All who keep the seventh day signify by this act that they are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus the Sabbath is the sign of man's allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve Him. The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force.
   God has given men six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided. "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, honorable; and ... honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure." Isaiah 58:13. Nor does the prohibition end here. "Nor speaking thine own words," says the prophet. Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day. {PP 307}

   The claim so often put forth that Christ changed the Sabbath is disproved by His own words. In His Sermon on the Mount He said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven," Matthew 5:17-19.  {GC 447.1}
   It is a fact generally admitted by Protestants that the Scriptures give no authority for the change of the Sabbath. This is plainly stated in publications issued by the American Tract Society and the American Sunday School Union. One of these works acknowledges "the complete silence of the New Testament so far as any explicit command for the Sabbath [Sunday, the first day of the week] or definite rules for its observance are concerned."--George Elliott, The Abiding Sabbath, page 184.  {GC 447.2}
   Another says: "Up to the time of Christ's death, no change had been made in the day;" and, "so far as the record shows, they [the apostles] did not . . . give any explicit command enjoining the abandonment of the seventh-day Sabbath, and its observance on the first day of the week."--A. E. Waffle, The Lord's Day, pages 186-188.  {GC 447.3}
   Roman Catholics acknowledge that the change of the Sabbath was made by their church, and declare that Protestants by observing the Sunday are recognizing her power. In the Catholic Catechism of Christian Religion, in answer to a question as to the day to be observed in obedience to the fourth commandment, this statement is made: "During the old law, Saturday was the day sanctified; but the church, instructed by Jesus Christ, and directed by the Spirit of God, has substituted Sunday for Saturday; so now we sanctify the first, not the seventh day. Sunday means, and now is, the day of the Lord."  {GC 447.4}

In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to be repaired. God's remnant people, standing before the world as reformers, are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience to all the precepts of the Decalogue. Constrained by the love of Christ, they are to co-operate with Him in building up the waste places. They are to be repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in. See verse 12.  {PK 678.2}

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Exodus 20:8-11 - The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240610-1036.html

Bible Study On The Sabbath
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4984/t/the-lost-day-of-history

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/