SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH

SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH

This is from the Hebrew word (BDB 992, KB 1409-1412) meaning "rest" or "cessation." It is connected to the seventh day of creation (see John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One) where God ceased His labor after finishing initial creation and rested (cf. Gen. 2:1-3). God did not rest because He was tired, but because

creation was complete and good (cf. Gen. 1:31)
to show that His new temple, earth, was complete and functioning
to give mankind a regular pattern for worship and rest
as a reminder to Israel of YHWH's deliverance from Egypt (cf. Deut. 5:15)

The usage as a day of worship starts with Gen. 2:2-3, where YHWH uses His rest as a pattern for animals (cf. Exod. 23:12) and mankind (humans need a regular schedule of work, rest, and worship).

The Sabbath begins like all the days of Genesis 1, at twilight; therefore, twilight on Friday to twilight on Saturday was the official time period. All the details of its observance are given in Exodus (especially chapters 16,20,31, and 35) and Leviticus (especially chapters 23-26).

The first specialized use of this day by Israel was in Exod. 16:25-26 in the gathering of manna. It then becomes part of "the Ten Words" (cf. Exod. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15). This is one example where the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are slightly different from the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5. Deuteronomy is preparing Israel for the settled, agricultural life in Canaan.

The Pharisees had taken these regulations and, by their oral discussions, interpreted them (i.e., the Oral Traditions) to include many rules. Jesus often performed miracles, knowingly violating their picky rules so as to enter into a theological dialogue with them (i.e., Matthew 12). It was not the Sabbath that Jesus rejected or belittled, but their self-righteous legalism and lack of love (cf. Mark 2:27-28). Jesus rejected the Rabbinical Midrash related to the Sabbath and showed His equality with the Father by modifying the Sabbath's permanence. Jesus is Lord of Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:21-48) and the Sabbath (cf. Mark 2:27-28; see Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2^nd ed., p. 702).

The early church worshiped on both the Sabbath and the first day of the week (i.e., Sunday, resurrection day, cf. John 20:1,19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Jesus appeared to His disciples three Sunday nights in a row). The Synagogue addressed the growing Christian movement by demanding members to reject Jesus as the Messiah (i.e., The Eighteen Benedictions). At this point (i.e., Jewish reform at Jamnia in A.D. 70) the Christians began to meet exclusively on Sunday.

For a good brief discussion about this issue, see F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, p. 242 (this book has helped me so much; I recommend it to you!)

SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL, II. A., B.