Topical Bible: The Sabbath: God: Shows Favour in Appointing

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, is a divinely appointed institution that reflects God's favor and care for His creation. It is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing its significance in the life of believers and its role in God's covenant with His people.

Creation and the Sabbath

The origin of the Sabbath is rooted in the creation narrative. In Genesis 2:2-3 , it is written, "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." Here, the Sabbath is established as a day of rest, blessed and sanctified by God Himself. This divine rest serves as a model for humanity, highlighting God's favor in providing a rhythm of work and rest.

The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments

The Sabbath is further enshrined in the Ten Commandments, underscoring its importance in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Exodus 20:8-11 states, "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 livestock, 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." This commandment not only reiterates the creation account but also establishes the Sabbath as a sign of God's covenant, a day set apart for rest and worship.

The Sabbath as a Sign of Covenant

The Sabbath is a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and His people. In Exodus 31:16-17 , it is written, "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." This passage highlights the Sabbath as a symbol of God's enduring relationship with His people, a testament to His favor and faithfulness.

The Sabbath and Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the significance of the Sabbath while also challenging legalistic interpretations. 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." Here, Jesus emphasizes the Sabbath's purpose as a gift for humanity, a day intended for rest and spiritual renewal, rather than a burden. His lordship over the Sabbath further underscores its divine origin and purpose.

The Sabbath in the Early Church

The early Christian community continued to recognize the importance of the Sabbath, while also gathering on the first day of the week to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 20:7 notes, "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread." This practice reflects the early church's understanding of the Sabbath as a time of rest and worship, while also celebrating the new creation inaugurated by Christ's resurrection.

Theological Significance

The Sabbath holds profound theological significance as a reflection of God's favor and provision. It serves as a reminder of God's creative work, His covenantal promises, and the rest that believers find in Christ. The Sabbath invites believers to enter into God's rest, to cease from their labors, and to trust in His provision and grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 9:14
And made known to them your holy sabbath, and commanded them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses your servant:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Foundation of the Church.
... of joy, keeping the Resurrection Day instead of the Sabbath. ... stroke, which made him
cry, "Your god is dying ... and amusing them with the cruel gladiator shows. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxi the foundation of.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... Ay, but here is a man in the favour of God ... of the Word that is intended, namely,
that shows the sinner ... but brings the heart unfeignedly over to God by Christ. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... was commanding a desecration of the Sabbath, and letting ... faith, that being essential
to the pleasing of God. ... own ignorance.'[76] All this shows the intensity ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... by which they should by works obtain the favour of God ... hypocrisy, in seeking how
to hide their faults from God. ... by gospel language, and then it shows 'that men ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It.
... that is, in the Church, as an inhabiting God, and in ... the sign of the cross, he
sufficiently shows that he ... of the world.'" But this is nothing in their favour. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 of the lords.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... in Babylonia, the sculpture of later times shows retrogression rather ... storey of which
was the altar of the god. ... was also a weekly Sabattu or "Sabbath," on the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... other shadows, as the sabbath of weeks, the sabbath of years ... she spoke at this time
too much in favour of the ... which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... as able as the judge of the king's appointing to do it ... thou hast insinuated thyself
into God's affections, and procured an interest in his eternal favour. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

A Discourse
... Now also the covert for the Sabbath must be turned to the ... the house of the forest
of Lebanon shows that it ... as were counted by the wisdom of God necessary for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm