...resting.
What a timely prompt, as today is the day of rest. Shabbat Shalom, everyone! I’m particularly excited for this day of rest, as I’m becoming more intentional about honoring the Sabbath. Growing up, my grandmother made it her mission to instill this beautiful tradition in me and other family members. It has been one of the most significant practices I’ve ever participated in, bringing me peace even when all else feels chaotic.
There are many reasons why the Sabbath is so important, and I believe that honoring it is a key part of spiritual well-being. Let me share why the Sabbath should be deeply honored, using scripture from both the Old and New Testaments to show its significance.
1. The Sabbath Is Commanded by God
One of the clearest reasons we are to honor the Sabbath is that it is commanded by God. In the book of Genesis, we see that after creating the world in six days, God rested on the seventh day. This is not because He was tired, but to set an example for humanity.
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” -Genesis 2:2-3
Later, in the Ten Commandments, God explicitly tells us to honor the Sabbath, giving it as one of the foundational laws for His people:
“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.” -Exodus 20:8-10
God didn’t just command us to rest for the sake of resting; He wants us to use that time to connect with Him, to honor Him, and to remember that He is our Creator and Sustainer.
2. The Sabbath Is for Our Good
The Sabbath is not meant to be a burden, but a gift. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often forget the importance of rest. But God, in His wisdom, designed the Sabbath to be a time of physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. We were made to rest, to take a break from our work, and to spend time focusing on the things that matter most: our relationship with God and our loved ones.
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” -Mark 2:27
Jesus reminds us that the Sabbath was given to us for our benefit. It’s a time to step away from the demands of life and to rest in the presence of God. It’s a time to refresh our souls, to reconnect with the Creator who designed us for rest.
3. The Sabbath Reflects Our Trust in God
Honoring the Sabbath is also an act of trust in God. By resting on the seventh day, we acknowledge that our work is not the source of our security. We are trusting God to provide for our needs, even when we take a break from our labor. It’s a declaration that we believe God is sovereign, and that He will take care of us.
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” -Psalm 127:2
When we set aside the Sabbath to rest, we are reminding ourselves that it is not our efforts alone that bring us success. We are trusting in God’s provision and His timing. We rest because we believe He will supply all our needs.
4. The Sabbath Points to the Ultimate Rest in Christ
The Sabbath, especially in the New Testament, is also a symbol of the rest we find in Christ. Jesus offers us rest from our burdens, and the Sabbath serves as a reminder of that ultimate rest. When we observe the Sabbath, we can think of it as a symbol of the rest we have in Christ; the rest from striving, the rest from sin, and the rest from trying to earn our salvation.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -Matthew 11:28
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest. He is the true source of peace and rest, and when we honor the Sabbath, we are reminded of this profound truth. Our rest on the Sabbath is a reflection of the greater rest we find in Christ.
5. The Sabbath Is a Time to Worship and Reflect
The Sabbath is also a sacred time to worship God, to reflect on His goodness, and to cultivate gratitude in our hearts. It’s a time to pause from our everyday distractions and give thanks for all that God has done. Whether it’s through prayer, meditation, or fellowship with others, the Sabbath is a time set apart for honoring God.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” -Exodus 20:8-10
We are called to set the Sabbath apart as holy, and part of doing that is intentionally making it a day to focus on God. It’s a day to reflect on His faithfulness and to draw near to Him in worship.
6. The Sabbath Points to the Future Rest
Finally, the Sabbath is a reminder that one day, we will experience the ultimate rest in the presence of God. The Sabbath is a foretaste of the eternal rest that awaits us when we are with God in heaven. Every Sabbath rest reminds us that our ultimate peace is found in the eternal rest we will have with God.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their work, just as God did from his.” -Hebrews 4:9-10
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the Sabbath rest is not just a physical day of rest, but it points to the ultimate rest we will experience in God’s presence. As we honor the Sabbath, we look forward to the day when we will rest fully in the eternal peace of God’s kingdom.
For me, the Sabbath is a gift that God has given us for our good. It’s a day to rest, to worship, and to remember that God is our provider. By honoring the Sabbath, we acknowledge our trust in Him, reflect on His goodness, and look forward to the ultimate rest that awaits us in Christ. As we take time to rest and recharge, let us remember the significance of this holy day and the deeper meaning it holds.
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.” -Hebrews 4:9-10
May we all experience the peace and renewal that comes from observing the Sabbath and resting in God’s presence. Shalom Aleichem!
I pray many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many blessings over you,
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Rosalyn Rose