Part 1: Introduction
1. When and by whom was the Sabbath made?
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3 (For further study see Exodus 20:11 and Exodus 31:17.
Note: God is our example for He is holy and keeps His law perfectly. So, how did God keep the first Sabbath? Surely God does not need to sleep. The Bible says that “…He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” Psalms 121:3. The “rest” discussed here means to cease or take a break. When one creates a work of art whether a master piece or simply hanging a choice painting in a particular spot he often steps back to admire and critique his work. This is what God was doing when He finished the work of creation. He stopped the work of creation, took a step back, admired His work of art for a whole day, and proclaimed “…it was very good…” Genesis 1:31. For one full day God asks us to cease from all our earthy cares and concerns and spend time with Him, enjoying Him and all His creation.
2. What is the Sabbath a memorial of?
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11 (For further study see Genesis 2:1-3.)
3. What else does the Sabbath remind us of?
“Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them…And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God..” Ezekiel 20:12,20
“And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:15 (For further study see Exodus 31:13.)
Note: Just as ancient Israel were freed from slavery so God’s people today are freed from the slavery of sin. The Sabbath is a perpecual reminder that Christ is both our creator and sanctifier. He has power to sanctify* the seventh day and power to sanctify* us.
4. Who was the Sabbath made for?
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:” Mark 2:27
Note: This verse teaches us two things. First, the Sabbath wasn’t just for the Jews; it was for all mankind. It points back to the creation which was of the whole human race. Second, we are not slaves to the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a blessing which works for all who endeavor to keep it holy.