Exodus 20:8-11
"Remember the Sabboth 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 th Sabbath day and made it holy."
One of the Ten Commandments! We have the benefit of being able to incorporate Jesus' teaching into our understanding of this particular commandment. But without His teaching, this law would be very problematic. Our culture does not allow us to completely abstain from any work on Sunday. Even pastors are required to prepare for, and then work, on the Sabbath. But I feel it is a cop out to not observe the Sabbath just because it is too difficult. There are likely many things I could do to be ready for a more restful, more observant Sunday. It would take more planning, and some changes, but it would not be impossible.
Holy Lord, I can try harder to prepare to observe the Sabboth more fully. Lord, I want to please you in all that I do. Helping others on Sunday, or moving forward with some ministry or mission project would be a good use of that time. Help me, Lord, and teach me your better way. Amen
Becky, transforming
Exodus 20:8-11
This is a difficult passage to follow in today’s world. We live in a 24/7 society. My husband and his father and mine were Firefighters. A cousin was a Police Officer. Others were nurses. These occupations have to live by the 24/7 rule even on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. I know God understands this, but he hopes those who don’t have to work won’t find others way of working. More than not working, he wants us to rest. We need to learn that rest is not wasting time!
Prayer: Gracious God, we seem to find rest so difficult. Help us to realize the renewal it offers. Amen
Thursday, November 30th, 2023
Exodus 20:8-11
“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. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Six days are allowed for work, but the seventh day is marked by ceasing work. Not…
Exodus 20:8-11 The Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn takes God’s commandment quite seriously and literally as do all Orthodox Jews. See the following as an interesting example:
https://selah.au/celebrating-shabbat-sabbath/#:~:text=No%20cooking%2C%20no%20washing%2C%20no,violating%20any%20of%20these%20rules. Does this seem “extreme”? I have not been trained from childhood to live the sabbath like this, but could still greatly benefit from learning to simplify Sabbath and make it holy, even in this season of life. It is a way of telling the world that while it greatly affects me, it does not control me. I belong to God.
Prayer - Merciful God, help me to find peace and simplicity on the sabbath day, making space to honor and glorify You and all you have provided to me and to those I love.…