Topical Bible: The Sabbath: Called: The Sabbath of Rest

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, holds a significant place in Judeo-Christian tradition. It is rooted in the biblical account of creation and is observed as a day of cessation from labor, dedicated to rest and spiritual reflection.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of the Sabbath originates in the creation narrative found in Genesis. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day, setting a divine precedent for the observance 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 Fourth Commandment

The Sabbath is enshrined in the Ten Commandments, underscoring its importance in the moral and spiritual life of the Israelites. Exodus 20:8-11 commands, "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."

A Covenant Sign

The Sabbath is also described as a sign of the covenant between God and His people. In Exodus 31:16-17 , it is written, "The Israelites must keep 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."

Sabbath Observance

The observance of the Sabbath involves refraining from work and engaging in activities that honor God. It is a time for worship, prayer, and reflection on God's creation and providence. Leviticus 23:3 emphasizes this, stating, "For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live."

Sabbath in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus' relationship with the Sabbath is a subject of considerable discussion. While He observed the Sabbath, He also challenged the legalistic interpretations of the religious leaders of His time. 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."

Spiritual Rest

The Sabbath is not only a physical rest but also symbolizes spiritual rest and renewal. Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks to this deeper rest, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His."

The Sabbath, as a day of rest, serves as a reminder of God's creation, His covenant with His people, and the spiritual rest found in Him. It is a day set apart for worship, reflection, and renewal, deeply embedded in the fabric of biblical teaching.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 31:15
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whoever does any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... the keeping of it is the best help to the keeping of all the rest. ... by God in the
beginning (Matthew 19:6, 8), the Sabbath is everywhere called "the Sabbath ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

Against the Jews on the Question of the Sabbath.
... Book IV. Chapter XXIII."Against the Jews on the question of the Sabbath.
The seventh day is called the Sabbath and signifies rest. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xxiii against the jews on.htm

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ...
... [3557] [3558] This so-called division' of labour applied only to infringement
of the Sabbath-rest - not of that of feast-days. [3559 ...
/.../chapter xxxv the two sabbath-controversies.htm

On the Fourth Command in the Decalogue
... It is also called "the Sabbath," from the ... from those works on the seventh day, with
an enumeration of the persons whose duty it is to rest: "Not only thou ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxvii on the fourth.htm

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath ...
... to Ruth, "sleep unto the morning," that Messias should rest in his grave all their
Sabbath-day. ... The Hebrew author of the book called Sedar Olam Rabbi (cap.7 ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the true manner.htm

A Sabbath in Capernaum
... The sun was setting, and the Sabbath past. ... no one in Capernaum thought of business,
pleasure, or rest. ... do; not, indeed, what is sometimes called fulfilment, or ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv a sabbath in.htm

Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ...
... to cease working], or heiligen Abend geben [sanctify the Sabbath]. ... especially, that
on such day of rest (since we ... otherwise it shall not be called a Christians ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt sanctify the holy.htm

The Sabbath
... then, says nothing about the abolition of a Day of Rest. ... that He is Lord "even of
the Sabbath." But those ... a torpor to the old, what should be called a delight ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 23-28 the sabbath.htm

Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and ...
... Having called a council, the high priests and scribes ... Alexander and Ja??rus, [1804]
and the rest of the ... a king; moreover, he profanes the Sabbath, and wishes ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 having called a.htm

Christ's Authority Over the Sabbath as Its Lord He Recalled it ...
... that its terms were conditional, when it enjoined rest from labour ... for the benefit
of any soul, [3884] He was called "Lord of the Sabbath," [3885] because He ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xii christs authority over the.htm