The Sabbath - in Conclusion

It is my hope and prayer that you have found this study of the sabbath to be both interesting and informative. It certainly has been for me.

As promised I shall draw some conclusions from our search of the scriptural teaching on the sabbath. Our focus was on command to "keep the sabbath" and so we limited ourselves to the first five books of the Old Testament, the books of the law.

It is interesting to note that the first time the sabbath is mentioned is about the time the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai under the leadership of Moses. (Exodus 16:23) The last mention of the sabbath in the books of the law gives the clear reason for its institution. (Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.) One is forced then, by the scriptures, to understand that the sabbath was instituted to assist the Israelites in remembering their servitude in Egypt and their deliverance.

What we have learned.
1. According to the scriptures the sabbath observance began shortly after Israel's departure from Egypt.
2. Its purpose was to cause the Israelites to remember how God led them out of bondage in Egypt according to the scriptures.
3. The sabbath was part of the covenant made with the children of Israel living at the time of the exodus and after as the scriptures clearly state.
4. In order to keep the sabbath properly the Israelites were prohibited from doing certain things and required to make certain sacrifices according to the scriptures.
5. The weekly observance was to be on the seventh day of the week but not all sabbaths were on the seventh day of the week !

Please keep in mind, dear reader, that these observations are not my opinion but rather clear statements from the scriptures. Each of these has been noted in previous posts with the proper references noted.

If this is not what you have been taught then it might be good to reexamine the teaching you have received. If I am incorrect please, please show me how and where!

Meanwhile are there other things you think of that we should note from our study?