The Sabbath part 3

We have been looking at all the mentions of the sabbath in scriptures. As we left off we were near the end of Leviticus. It is there that we pick up our study.

In Leviticus 24:8 the sabbath is given as the time for an offering of bread. This offering was to be made every sabbath. Then in Leviticus 25:2, 4, 6 the term is used of the year of the sabbath. This was to happen every 7th year from the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai. It was to be a time to give the land a rest.

Please keep in mind that we are looking only at the singular term sabbath. If you are looking in your concordance you may also find it used in the plural form. We are however limiting our study to the singular.

The next mention of the sabbath is found in Numbers 15:32 where a man was found gathering sticks on the sabbath day. Remember now that the command to observe the sabbath included the order;"thou shalt not do any work". This fellow in the above mentioned passage failed to properly observe the sabbath. The verses following tell us of the consequences, he was stoned to death.

God in His infinite wisdom gave instructions on how to properly observe the sabbath. To refresh our memories notice the following scriptures. Exodus 20:8-11 "thou shalt not do any work"; Exodus 31:15 "Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death."
Exodus 35:3 "Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day"; Leviticus 24:5-8 "And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant". While this may not be a complete list of things that observing the sabbath entailed, it should be enough to demonstrate at least part of what God expects of those who would keep the sabbath according to the 10 commandments.

In Numbers 28:9-10 the sabbath is again mentioned. This time it specifies specific sacrifices required to observe the sabbath properly. Modern day sabbatarians would object saying that this was part of the "ceremonial law" and that law is no longer binding upon us.

Is it not reasonable to understand that God is specifying what He expects of those who keep the sabbath? Did not the Israelites need instruction on how to keep His commands? Does God give commands and then leave it up to us on how to observe them properly?

The Sabbath part 2

We left our study of the sabbath referencing Exodus 31:16-17 and noting the "perpetual covenant" with the children of Israel. The next mention is found in Exodus 35:2-3 where it is noted as a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest unto God and no fire was to be kindled.

The sabbath is again mentioned in Leviticus 16:31 in connection with the day of atonement for Israel. It is here called a "statute for ever". Next mentioned in Leviticus 23:3 where it is called a sabbath of solemn rest, a sabbath of the lord. It was to be a day of holy convocation and no work. It is mentioned again in this same chapter in verses 11, 15, 16 but is simply a reference point for counting time.

Again in Leviticus 23:24 it is mentioned as a "memorial of blowing trumpets, a holy convocation" and also in verse 32 it is mentioned 2 times. Then in verse 36 it is again mentioned 2 times. These references in the latter part of the chapter are in connection with the day of atonement.

Please keep in mind that all these references are in the KJV. There is something peculiar about these references in Leviticus 16 and the latter part of chapter 23 which I have never heard modern day sabbatarians discuss. I am sure they have some explanation. The question then is "can you tell me what is peculiar about these references to the sabbath?

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.

How do I value?

People value many different things. The value of anything is relative to our sense of how important it is to us. Picasso was a very famous artist. Some value his paintings greatly being willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for one. Personally I would rather have a Norman Rockwell print. From this it should be obvious that even if I could afford a Picasso I have no interest in them therefore they have little value to me.

Some things are worth more than money! There are some things for which I would not trade all the money in the world. Family is one of these things. Certain memories are priceless. Some years ago I went through an unpleasant job change. We were just getting by only to have our income cut by more than 30%. Christmas time rolled around and there was very little money for gifts. Two of my boys went out into the windbreak around our house and found gifts for me. A used razor blade, a shiny black rock and a couple of other things. I wish I still had them today but all I have is the memory. It is priceless! It always brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Then there is the summer that I got to spend working a new job with those same boys now become teenagers. We would get up early and pile into the cab of an old pickup and drive 60 miles to work. We would sometimes work 12 hours and then have the long drive home. I am not sure that they cherish the time as I do but that doesn't matter. It was the best summer I had had in years.

What does this have to do with our subject of the value of the love of God? Not a lot except that it shows that value is in the mind of the holder. God has already demonstrated the value that He places on us, (John 3:16 Romans 5:8). Have we demonstrated the value we place on His love? Have we demonstrated the value we place on loving Him?

We know what He expects of us. We are to love Him with"all our heart, mind, and soul." "If you love me you will keep my commandments" and others. But what value do we place on His love for us and our love for Him? Two parables of Jesus come to mind. These teachings show how much we are to value the "kingdom of heaven." In Matthew 13:44 and 45 we read of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. In both parables the one who found them sold all that they had in order to obtain them. I suggest that this is how much we should value a loving God.

What is it worth?

Ever heard the old saying: "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"? I am sure you have. Ever try it? Can't do it can you! No matter how hard you try he will not drink if he doesn't want to.

We sometimes equate make and cause as the same thing. Sometimes this is ok. But not this time. The scripture says in Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. In Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law we find the following definition of the word cause "something that brings about an effect or result " With this definition in mind we would understand the above passage like this: whoever does something that results in one of these stumbling would be better off drowning in the sea. In this there is no need to establish motive because the one stumbling is responsible for their own actions. Let me illustrate it in this way. I was at an auction this past Saturday. Someone or something had dug a hole in the yard sometime before the sale. I wasn't watching where I was going and I stepped in the hole and nearly fell. That would have been embarrasing as there were a lot of people around at the time. The hole caused me to stumble but it did not make me stumble. I chose to step where I did. therefore I alone am responsible for stumbling and whatever made the hole is responsible for providing the opportunity for me to stumble. No one made me step there, it was my choice.

Can someone MAKE you sin? Absaloutly not! Can someone force me to do something against my will? NOPE! All they can do is persuade me to do a thing by creating consequences which I would greatly enjoy or strongly desire not to endure. For example I do not like to fill out financial statements. However the bank says that if I want to get a loan from them I will have to fill them out. Do they make me fill them out? NO! So if I choose not to fill them out, I also choose not to get the loan.

We persuade our children to obey by offering rewards and punishment. It is still their choice. God also offers reward and punishment to encourage us to be obedient. We can obey strictly out of a sense of duty or love can be our motive.

In our past posts we have explored God's love for us and also our love for God. I would now like us to consider the value of the love of God. What is the love of God worth to you? Please express this value in both ways, loving us and loving Him. Happy pondering!