The Seventh Day

The concept of the "Seventh Day" holds significant theological and historical importance within the biblical narrative. It is first introduced in the creation account in Genesis, where God completes His work of creation and sanctifies the seventh day as a day of rest. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "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 Seventh Day, also known as the Sabbath, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, serving as a covenant sign between God and His people. In Exodus 20:8-11 , the Fourth Commandment 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 on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

The observance of the Seventh Day as a day of rest and worship is a central aspect of Jewish religious life and is also observed by some Christian denominations. It serves as a reminder of God's creation, His deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and His covenantal relationship with His people. The Sabbath is a time for physical rest, spiritual renewal, and communal worship, reflecting the divine order and rhythm established by God.

The Shout

The concept of "The Shout" is notably associated with the biblical account of the Battle of Jericho, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. This event is a demonstration of faith and obedience to God's commands, resulting in a miraculous victory for the Israelites. Joshua 6:5 describes the instructions given to Joshua: "And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, all the people are to give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse, and the people will go up, each man straight ahead."

The shout, accompanied by the sound of the ram's horn, was a pivotal moment in the conquest of Jericho. Joshua 6:20 recounts the fulfillment of God's promise: "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it."

The Shout at Jericho symbolizes the power of faith and the importance of following divine instructions, even when they defy human logic. It underscores the belief that God fights for His people and that victory is achieved through reliance on His strength rather than human might. The event is often cited as an example of the miraculous intervention of God in the affairs of His people, demonstrating His sovereignty and faithfulness.

In the New Testament, the concept of a shout is also associated with eschatological events. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 speaks of the return of Christ: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." This eschatological shout signifies the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate victory over sin and death.