Sunday 9 March, Some thoughts on the Sabbath (Luke 6:5) - Creational - God instituted/created the seventh day Sabbath to be part of the cycle of creation from the beginning not at Sinai. (Gen 2:1-2; Ex 20:11) - Rest - God intended/created a week to consist not only of work days but six work days and one rest day. Israel is reminded of this at Sinai. (Ex 20:11) - Gift - God in his kindness made the Sabbath for man, to keep him from a life of endless work, work, work… (Gen 2:1-2, Ex 20:8-11, Deut 5:12-15) - Holy - God made the Sabbath day distinct. Rest is taken giving thanks to God for his loving kindness. God should not be excluded/ignored. - Justice - God delivered Israel from wearying slavery in Egypt. Israel was not to mistreat others in the same way, but let everyone rest. (Deut 5:15) - Salvation - Israel would rest remembering the joy of God’s salvation. His loving deliverance from slavery in Egypt unto the joy and the rest of freedom from bondage. (Deut 5:15) - Love - A brief glance over the above reveals that this Sabbath has God’s love, love for God and love for your neighbour written all over it (Luke 6:1-9). - Ongoing?: Having reflected on this Sabbath I am increasingly convicted that it is a creational institution of God. It’s also bound up in loving God and loving your neighbour. Its good and right to have one day of God thanking rest each week. Wisdom says, “Rest!”, folly says “Work, work, work…” Aaah, the restful kindness of God! This sets this Sabbath day of rest apart from the Jewish ceremonial Sabbaths peculiar to Israel, first instituted at Sinai, that we clearly do not have to observe. I will keep thinking this through.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 08:08:17 +0000
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