Bible Study A study on the Sabbath

[Nathan]

Ok, so its not like there are not enough other topics going that could be discussed, but this one is on my mind so I wanted to talk about it.

I do not want this to turn into a 'bashing' of any group of people. That is why I want to put it in here. I want to study the Sabbath from a purely Biblical perspective. The best way to start is from the beginning, working our way through the OT references to it. Anything that has to do with the "Sabbath" or "Seventh Day" is what I want to focus on. Then after it has been discussed thoroughly, I would like to move into the NT view of it. Make sense?

There are a few on this board who I genuinely respect who hold very strong opinions on this topic. I do not wish to offend anyone. I would like to keep it civil, and in a respectful manner. I know its a lot to ask for, but I am asking. I want it to be a study where questions can be raised, and answered, and then talked about. It should not be taken as an attempt to persuade anyone in one direction or another.

So, with that in mind, lets start diving in shall we? These may seem like very basic questions, but I would like to lay groundwork before we get too deep.

Question: What is the first reference to the 'Sabbath' we see in the OT?

 

[stovebolts]

Hi Nathan,

Just to lay some additional groundwork, I'd start of by defining what a Sabbath is. In the easiest terms, it simply means to rest.

We first see this day in the account of Creation for it took God 6 days to create and on the 7th day, he rested.

In the Scriptures, the first time that the word Sabbath is uses in in reference to the Manna for the children of God who had just been redeemed from their oppression. This is found in Exodus 16.

This in itself would be a very interesting discussion .

But from there, we also find Sabbath years once the Hebrews have entered the land where the people are to let the land alone, and God says that what is grown in the 6th year, will last through till the 8th year, as the earth is given rest on the 7th year. (Exodus 23:11 and Leviticus 25)

Of course, then we get into Jubilee, which comes after 7 x 7 years (Lev 25:8)

 

[Theofilus]

As StoveBolts says, the first occurance of the word "Sabbath" in English is in Exodus, but the word translated as "rested" in Genesis 2:2 is shabot, which is the root from which the word Sabbath comes. This was the first Sabbath. God Himself said so when he told the Israelites:

And God spoke all these words:... Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy... 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. (Ex. 20:1, 8, 11 NIV)​

When we keep the Sabbath on the seventh day, we are honoring God as the creator of the Universe. But the Sabbath doesn't just look back to the creation, it also looks forward. Maybe we can get into that more when we get to the New Testament.

 

[Nathan]

Thanks guys. Yes, it is indeed very interesting that the word 'Sabbath' is used for the first time when referring to the manna.

So lets look around that event. I have always understood it to mean 'rest'. I also find it interesting what the passage says though.

"he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord..."

I find it interesting that it is preceded with the word "solemn". Anyone want to jump in on this one?

 

[Elijah674]

A 'study on the Sabbath' without the verses? and quotes in just a part?? We need to be careful for we have some like myself from Heb. 5's milk here it seems! Some might even think of Matt. 4:6 with almost an exact quote to Christ from 'another'?

Anyway, we need to REMEMBER the Lords last recorded Words 'also' of His book, right? Rev. 22:22:18-19 & that even sounds like OT Eccl. 3:14.

And remember? Where had 'i' heard that Word from?? And a sabbath? what of the large number of these are you going to study? The Lords Covenant of Isa. 8:20 or Moses books of such?

--Elijah

 

[stovebolts]

Hi Elijah my friend,

I believe that we are all mature Christians and should not fret over protecting our precious NT truths as they are understood by all thus far that are within this study.

With that my friend, and I do appreciate your posts, but may we honor Nathan's request and direction in this study. There will be a time when we do get to the NT.

Thanks

 

[Nathan]

A 'study on the Sabbath' without the verses?


And remember? Where had 'i' heard that Word from?? And a sabbath? what of the large number of these are you going to study? The Lords Covenant of Isa. 8:20 or Moses books of such?

--Elijah

Yes. I very much so want to include the verses. We are just beginning, so if you want to include them you are welcome to 'help us along'.

Ahhh....you bring up a very good question. Indeed, which 'one' of the Sabbath(s) are we going to study? All of them

You are right. And it is an interesting point that you bring up about the Sabbath. Not only was it a commandment, the 4th, but it is the only commandment that is classified specifically as a sign.

Exd 31:16-17 "Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'"

Where have we heard this before? Genesis 17??? Very interesting!!!

 

[stovebolts]

Exd 31:16-17 "Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'"

Where have we heard this before? Genesis 17??? Very interesting!!!

That's very interesting, although I'm not quite putting the two together theologically. I mean, I know that Circumcision was commanded to Abraham as a sign, and that later the Sabbath would be commanded as a sign ultimately pointing to God's rest (I know we're not there yet so we'll hold off for now).

Would you elaborate for me?

Thanks!

 

[Ashua]

I believe the 6 day creation week and the Sabbath, like all other appointed feasts have an initial purpose (in this case the actual 6 day creation) and a prophetic purpose. I believe each day of the six is symbolic of 1,000 years of human history culminating in the Millennial Sabbath. Maybe I'm wrong. Still, if this is true, we are very close to that seven thousandth year since Adam according to the Bible.

 

[Nathan]

That's very interesting, although I'm not quite putting the two together theologically. I mean, I know that Circumcision was commanded to Abraham as a sign, and that later the Sabbath would be commanded as a sign ultimately pointing to God's rest (I know we're not there yet so we'll hold off for now).

Would you elaborate for me?

Thanks!

Why surely I will elaborate. I 'put them together', although they do not actually have anything related, but they both were "signs" of 'a' covenant. They were not just random signs, but signs of a covenant. That is the only relation I draw between them.

 

[Nathan]

I believe the 6 day creation week and the Sabbath, like all other appointed feasts have an initial purpose (in this case the actual 6 day creation) and a prophetic purpose. I believe each day of the six is symbolic of 1,000 years of human history culminating in the Millennial Sabbath. Maybe I'm wrong. Still, if this is true, we are very close to that seven thousandth year since Adam according to the Bible.

Yes, indeed. Thats kind of what I am searching for. I would like to build a knowledge base of what the Sabbath is in 'picture' format in the OT, before moving into the NT.

Its kind of tricky, or rather, it should not be taken lightly, that it is a part of God's eternal law.

I am just going to come out in the open for all to know that I am not a "7th Day Adventist". Nor am I trying to 'push' that line of beliefs. But I will say that we do not look flippantly at idolatry, immorality, lying, stealing, coveting, murder, etc. So I also do not think that we should just pass over the Sabbath either.

Some look at it as very literal in interpretation, and indeed, we find an example of where it was taken literal.

Num 15:32-36 While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. And the LORD said to Moses, "The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp." And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses.

It would be one thing if they just stoned this guy because the 'written law' said so, but I find it interesting that it says, "it had not been made clear what should be done to him". Huh? If they were going by the written law, it was very clear. Unless they were debating on how he should be killed.

But they went to the Lord with the decision. So obviously it was to be taken quite literal back then.

Elijah brought up a real good question. Are we talking about "the Sabbath" or the "Sabbath days"? There does seem to be some distinction. I am quite sound in my understanding on the Sabbath as the 7th day of the week. But what about the other references? Will someone clarify them?

 

[Sissy]

Gates Closed on Sabbath Day



Nehemiah 13
(19) And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

 

[stovebolts]

Why surely I will elaborate. I 'put them together', although they do not actually have anything related, but they both were "signs" of 'a' covenant. They were not just random signs, but signs of a covenant. That is the only relation I draw between them.

Ahh, the first is to mark out those to whom the promise is for, and the second is to guide those to whom the promise was made.

How's that?

 

[Nathan]

Ahh, the first is to mark out those to whom the promise is for, and the second is to guide those to whom the promise was made.

How's that?

Hummmmm.......very interesting. Your swimming in the deep end again :waving

Lol. I had never considered that. Explain what you mean please.

 

[Nathan]

Gates Closed on Sabbath Day



Nehemiah 13
(19) And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

Thanks sissy! I ran across this one the other day myself. I thought that whole 'scene' we see taking place was interesting here. What are your thoughts?

 

[Nathan]

Ok, Ok. I see now some things. Lol. I guess it is hard to talk about the "Sabbath" without diving into the NT.

I guess I wanted to first look at it from a person's point of view that it is to be 'kept' the same way we would not murder someone, or commit adultery, or lie, or steal.

I mean, we all have done that from time to time. But do we do it habitually? The thought behind the Sabbath, is that if it is to be taken 'literally' then week after week we habitually do not keep it. See what I am talking about here? And no, I am not one that tries to 'spiritualize' Sunday as becoming the new Sabbath. Although, the commandment specifically says;

Exd 20:9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,

So it does not classify Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday....See what I mean?

Ok. So if we do not work 6 days, but only 5, does that mean we are not 'keeping' it?

I hope that I am making sense. And if we need to go into the NT to explore this more, I am open.

 

[Sissy]

This may be of interest.

The meaning of the Hebrew word shamar (translated "keep"), from the Ancient Hebrew Research Center vocabulary.

Ancient Hebrew Word Meanings

 

[Fembot]

Ok, Ok. I see now some things. Lol. I guess it is hard to talk about the "Sabbath" without diving into the NT.

I guess I wanted to first look at it from a person's point of view that it is to be 'kept' the same way we would not murder someone, or commit adultery, or lie, or steal.

I mean, we all have done that from time to time. But do we do it habitually? The thought behind the Sabbath, is that if it is to be taken 'literally' then week after week we habitually do not keep it. See what I am talking about here? And no, I am not one that tries to 'spiritualize' Sunday as becoming the new Sabbath. Although, the commandment specifically says;

Exd 20:9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,

So it does not classify Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday....See what I mean?

Ok. So if we do not work 6 days, but only 5, does that mean we are not 'keeping' it?

I hope that I am making sense. And if we need to go into the NT to explore this more, I am open.

If one works only 5 days instead of 6, I don't believe it would be disobedience to God. Because the main point of this commandment is to keep THE SABBATH DAY holy:

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 alien 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 made it holy. Exodus 20:8-11

We should keep it holy by not working. How else do we keep the Sabbath holy?

 

[Nathan]

This may be of interest.

The meaning of the Hebrew word shamar (translated "keep"), from the Ancient Hebrew Research Center vocabulary.

Ancient Hebrew Word Meanings

That is interesting. I am not finding where that word is used. Maybe you could point to the specific place.

Exd 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

According to the texts I use, the word "keep" in this verse is qadash; actually, it is 'apart of' the word "holy". In other words, it does not show up out by itself, it is inferred.

The verse would read, with out rearranging the words in the original text that the ESV uses; (I cannot remember off hand which one it is though)

"Remember (ellipsis) 'the'-day (ellipsis) Sabbath to 'keep'-holy it."

I am by no means a Greek/Hebrew scholar. But I do find this very interesting. This is the only command that God says to "remember". Maybe that is where the study should turn to next.

 

[Sissy]

That is interesting. I am not finding where that word is used. Maybe you could point to the specific place.

H8104.

Exodus 31
(13) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
(14) Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.


Exodus 16
(28) And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?