Sabbath is at the center of Jewish life. It is a day of rest and celebration that begins from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. God created the Sabbath for our enjoyment to restore, renew, and replenish ourselves. He instructed Israel to honor it.
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 male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 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 NIV)
The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. As His children, God wanted the Hebrew people to enjoy rest. Slaves don’t enjoy rest. Sons do.
If God created the Sabbath for man, should Christians keep the Sabbath? Are we saved by it? No. Do our spirit, soul, and body get refreshed, replenished, and recharged when we do? Absolutely!
Those who honor Shabbat find that it:
- Unifies the family
- Blesses their spirits
- Renews their physical bodies
Families who live in countries other than Israel try to honor Shabbat as best as possible. In Israel, the culture is conducive to keeping Shabbat as everything shuts down in observance of this family-centered holiday. But, we can still keep it in America if we put our heart and soul into it, just like we do with everything else.
Shabbat is a 24-hour period that God blessed and made holy, so why not savor all the benefits it offers me as an individual while fostering family unity in my home?
Imagine, how would all families live if they kept Shabbat? If once per week time was spent intentionally celebrating the week, each other, enjoying a home-made meal together? What would families look like? How would our children’s and youth’s lives be impacted?
Shabbat is a matter of faith. We can accomplish much more by working 6 days per week and observing Shabbat, than working 7 days per week busting our chops and never giving our bodies the rest it needs.
Shabbat brings healing to the soul, mind, body, and spirit. Shabbat reconnects us to God. In it, we pause from the busyness of life and take time to acknowledge God for His provision and blessings. When we keep it, we declare that God is our provider, sustainer, and giver of life. We acknowledge that our success comes from him, not our own efforts.
How can God not bless a person whose heart trusts in Him?
If we, being selfish, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more would our good Father not give us His blessing and good gifts in life? (Matthew 7:11)