More Sabbath thoughts

This last month I wrote out some thoughts on the Sabbath in the Holcomb Update. Erin and I have thought a lot about it recently. I've continued on the conversation with some of you, but thought I'd share some of the Biblical and historical background on the Sabbath.

I believe that the Sabbath concept is an idea that is foundational to human existence. It is a transcendent value communicated by God throughout all of history to humanity. Before I go into more depth on God's value of Sabbath, I'll define what I understand Sabbath to be:

Definition: A "Stop" time that comes after a time of work or being engaged in activity. The Hebrew root means to "stop" or "rest". The period should come after six periods of non-stop activity. It is a period that is a blessing for humanity and should be used for the following activities: rest, prayer, worship, renewal, healing, feasting, and time with God. It should interrupt our usual activities.

Here is the Biblical and historical background for this concept:

1. Before Israel was a nation or humanity chose to rebel against the creator - God spent six days (or periods) working and creating. He then chose to rest on the seventh day (or period). Humans are made in the image of God and are therefore given this example for life (even before man technically had to work). (Gen 2:1-3)
   
2. The Israelites were given the Sabbath as a covenant-sign (pointing back to Creation) that would be a day of the week to stop work, rest, not collect food, and remember God. (Ex 20:8-11)
3. The people of God celebrate the Sabbath using Psalm 92 - which is a Sabbath Psalm. The prophet Isaiah encouraged the Israelites to not break the Sabbath - and pointed to blessing if the day was observed.
4. Jesus observed the Sabbath while he was on earth. His critiques of the practices of the time were to do with the myriad of rules that at that time trumped love. Jesus healed on the Sabbath - to show that we should love people over following rules. The disciples were allowed to eat grain - to show that enjoying food was more important than following rules. "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath". Jesus never said that the Sabbath was unimportant or should be ignored. Instead, he affirmed it's existence and importance by redeeming it from the confines of the Pharisaical rules.
   
5. The disciples and apostles continue to observe the Sabbath after Jesus' death and resurrection. Paul preached on the Sabbath in synagogues (Acts 17:1-3) - and the believers continued to hold a day of rest and prayer - although it often switched from Saturday to Sunday. The exact day of the week was unimportant - rather it was the principle. This following of the Sabbath is woven all of the way through scripture until Revelation 1:10 where John is caught up "in the Spirit on the Lord's day".
6. The church has observed a day of rest and worship from the earliest days of the church up till the present day. Those in leadership of the Catholic church - through to Luther - and onto the present day have taught the importance of a day of rest. It often is ignored by people by is rarely preached against.

So, there are six points to ponder on the Sabbath. Now I think I'll give my fingers a break... What is critical is not the details of this day - but rather the principle. Little rules should not be piled up to frame a period of frustration, tension, and stress. Rather it is a day of blessing, rest, and recovery that is foundational to our existence.

Mmmmm.

posted by Dan @ 2:33 PM