COMMANDMENT #4 REMEMBER THE SABBATH
EXODUS 20: 8 - 11
EXODUS 20: 8 - 11
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 you animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all this 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)
COMMENTARY
The Ten Commandments were given to the Jews after God rescued them from slavery to Pharaoh. He parted the water for them to cross when Pharaoh would have overtaken them and released the water to prevent Pharaoh from following them to the other side of the Red Sea. They were en-route to The Promised Land. God had provided manna for them to eat, so they would not have to plant and reap; they would not have to worry about what they would eat. The stipulation was that they were to gather manna six days but not on The Sabbath. They were provided enough on the sixth day to gather so they would not go without food on The Sabbath. God was showing them (and us) that He will provide all of our needs and that we are to keep the Sabbath holy.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary states it this way: "One day in seven is to be kept holy. Six days are allotted to worldly business, but not so as to neglect the service of God, and the care of our souls. On those days we must do all our work, and leave none to be done on the sabbath day. Christ allowed works of necessity, charity, and piety; for the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath, Mr 2:27; but all works of luxury, vanity, or self-indulgence in any form, are forbidden. Trading, paying wages, settling accounts, writing letters of business, worldly studies, trifling visits, journeys, or light conversation, are not keeping this day holy to the Lord." "The sabbath of the Lord should be a day of rest from worldly labour, and a rest in the service of God."
That pretty much takes care of watching sports of any kind, even youth sports that your child is involved in. That forbids watching television, fishing, swimming, working in the garden, etc. This commentary says we are to dedicate this one day out of seven to The Lord, only.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary states it this way: "One day in seven is to be kept holy. Six days are allotted to worldly business, but not so as to neglect the service of God, and the care of our souls. On those days we must do all our work, and leave none to be done on the sabbath day. Christ allowed works of necessity, charity, and piety; for the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath, Mr 2:27; but all works of luxury, vanity, or self-indulgence in any form, are forbidden. Trading, paying wages, settling accounts, writing letters of business, worldly studies, trifling visits, journeys, or light conversation, are not keeping this day holy to the Lord." "The sabbath of the Lord should be a day of rest from worldly labour, and a rest in the service of God."
That pretty much takes care of watching sports of any kind, even youth sports that your child is involved in. That forbids watching television, fishing, swimming, working in the garden, etc. This commentary says we are to dedicate this one day out of seven to The Lord, only.
We Christians do not observe "The Sabbath", but rather, we observe the first day of the week, Sunday. For it was on the first day of the week when Jesus rose from the dead, and when Pentecost occurred. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
Colossians 2 says it this way: 16) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18) Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you." NIV
SIX DAYS YOU SHALL LABOR. How have we missed this part of the COMMANDMENT? America has 47% of people on public assistance in one form or another (instead of laboring). This is a commandment (to labor). How have we been guided by our government to disobey our God? Wise men follow wise counsel but fools are led astray. We are currently in forty days of praying for America. We are praying for God to remember us, forgive us, for us to repent. 47%. Join us in our journey to seek God's face and return to Him.
I have realized that shopping on Sunday was not glorifying Him. Do you know how convenient it is to shop on Sunday? My problem is that someone had to stay away from church to run the register, or stock the shelf, or open the convenient store for gasoline, or what ever. I realized I had positioned myself between them and my God. Whoa! This is the same God who parted the river for the Israelites to cross. I only want to put a smile on His face, not get between Him and His children. It is not as easy as it sounds to give up such convenience. You should try it sometime.
Have you identified activities you normally engage in that are counter to this Commandment? You are encouraged to leave a comment and share it with us.
You are also invited to share this post on your favorite social media if we have been a blessing to you. Thank you.
Colossians 2 says it this way: 16) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18) Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you." NIV
MY THOUGHTS
I have realized that shopping on Sunday was not glorifying Him. Do you know how convenient it is to shop on Sunday? My problem is that someone had to stay away from church to run the register, or stock the shelf, or open the convenient store for gasoline, or what ever. I realized I had positioned myself between them and my God. Whoa! This is the same God who parted the river for the Israelites to cross. I only want to put a smile on His face, not get between Him and His children. It is not as easy as it sounds to give up such convenience. You should try it sometime.
Have you identified activities you normally engage in that are counter to this Commandment? You are encouraged to leave a comment and share it with us.
You are also invited to share this post on your favorite social media if we have been a blessing to you. Thank you.
You are also invited to join Oma at http://omaslife.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.
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