The Sabbath

I want to take a moment before I get into the next subject to remind our readers of our purpose for this blog. The following is taken from the description "It is our intent to ask questions, answer questions and carry on a friendly discussion of subjects pertinent to the Christian and the Bible. We will use the Bible as the authority to establish right and wrong and expect those who participate in the discussion to do the same." I wish to emphasise friendly discussion and also that the Bible is our final authority in these matters. We do allow comments from those who may disagree with our teaching and comments. However we do not allow character attacks from anyone, this is a friendly forum. We may ask for more information, scriptural support, or we may directly challenge your statements and you are free to do the same.

The sabbath has been the subject of much controversy for a long time. There are those in the religious world that say that the Sabbath is still binding today, others say the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday under the New Testament, and yet others affirm that the Sabbath was set aside by the Law of Christ. As divided as the religious world is today there may be even yet other beliefs which are held concerning the Sabbath.

While it is good to know what beliefs are held and why, our purpose in this blog is to consider what the Bible has to say as it is THE authority. So what does the Bible say about the Sabbath?

The word Sabbath in the KJV occurs 137 times. The first of these is in Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. The inspired record tells us that Israel has just recently left Egypt and are now in the Wilderness of Sin on their way to Mt. Sinai. From the context we learn that the Sabbath was the seventh day of the week. It was also to be a Holy Day unto the Lord. The term sabbath is used 3 more times in this chapter (vs. 25, 26 and 29). The Sabbath day did not become codified until the Law of Moses was given as recorded in Exodus 20 (see verse 8, also 10, 11). After chapter 20 the sabbath is not mentioned again until chapter 31. At this time Moses is still on the Mt. receiving the Law from God. In Exodus 31:16-17 it is stated that the Sabbath was a perpetual covenant with the "children of Israel".

This shall serve as the basis for our study on the Sabbath. What else can we learn from the scriptures on this important topic?

God Bless America

Recently I heard talk show host Steve Deace go on a tirade on God Bless America. The gist of this rant was the question of "How can we ask and expect God to bless this country when we as a country have abandoned His ways?" This is a good question! While this nation was founded upon christian principles it has since abandoned many of them. We then have the gall to ask our God to bless us! Mr. Deace suggested very strongly that the USA should ask for forgiveness rather than His blessings.

While I agree with the above assesment I think that something very important has been left out. It is something which must preceed the request for forgiveness. For now I will leave it to you to offer your answers of what it should be.

What does America need to do in order to seek God's forgiveness and ask His blessings?

Outstanding scriptures

As we read through the scriptures a certain passage will seemingly reach out and grab our attention. We may have read it a number of times before and not taken note of it. Such happened recently with me.

In reading the prophet Micah I noticed the following passages: Micah 1:4 And the mountains shall be melted under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, as waters that are poured down a steep place. What an interesting word picture which we readily understand.

It seems that much of Micah's message is filled with "doom and gloom" there are two more items in the last chapter that offer hope and build our faith. Notice Micah 7:7-10 But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of Jehovah, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her who said unto me, Where is Jehovah thy God? Mine eyes shall see my desire upon her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. Here Micah expresses his faith in God and his willingness to trust in Him.

Then as the book closes notice:Micah 7:18-20 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the lovingkindness to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. Here he praises God and offers hope to his hearers.

I would like to encourage you to read the entire message of Micah and see what I am speaking of. Then please tell me what has "grabbed" you recently in the scriptures.