The Sabbath is a divinely instituted day of rest and worship, observed on the seventh day of the week, as commanded in the Bible. Its origin is found in the creation narrative, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."

The Sabbath commandment is further articulated in the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:8-11 instructs, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

The Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as seen in Exodus 31:16-17 : "The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it as a lasting covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ addresses the Sabbath, emphasizing its intended purpose for human benefit rather than legalistic observance. In Mark 2:27-28 , Jesus declares, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." This highlights the principle that the Sabbath is meant to be a blessing, providing rest and spiritual renewal.

The early Christian church grappled with the observance of the Sabbath, especially as Gentile believers joined the faith. The Apostle Paul addresses this in Colossians 2:16-17 , stating, "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ." This suggests that the Sabbath, along with other ceremonial laws, pointed to the fulfillment found in Christ.

Mercy

Mercy is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character and His dealings with humanity. It is often understood as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. The Hebrew word for mercy, "chesed," and the Greek word "eleos" convey a sense of loving-kindness, steadfast love, and compassion.

In the Old Testament, God's mercy is frequently highlighted in His covenant relationship with Israel. Exodus 34:6-7 describes God as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage underscores God's merciful nature, even as He upholds justice.

The Psalms often celebrate God's mercy, as seen in Psalm 103:8-12 : "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies and teaches mercy. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:7 state, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Jesus' parables, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35), illustrate the importance of showing mercy to others as a reflection of God's mercy toward us.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes mercy in the life of believers, urging them to be merciful as God is merciful. In Romans 12:1 , he writes, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This call to live mercifully is rooted in the recognition of the mercy believers have received through Christ.

Mercy is thus a defining attribute of God and a fundamental aspect of Christian ethics, calling believers to reflect God's compassion and forgiveness in their relationships with others.