This is a paper I wrote in Bible College. I believe it includes all references to the Sabbath in the (Protestant) Bible.
Sabbath
The Sabbath was a sign between Israel and God given to Israel through Moses (Neh. 9:14;
Ex. 31:13,16-17; Ezek. 20:12, 20). No (human) Sabbath keeping is mentioned
before the law of Moses. The rest of redemption is memorialized and anticipated
in the Old Covenant (deliverance from Egypt in Deut. 5:15; Christ). There
is no New Testament command to keep any particular day. However, the New
Testament does warn against judging non-Sabbatarians (Rom. 14:5-6; Col. 2:16)
and the keeping of special days (Gal. 4:10,11). Nevertheless, we are told that
congregational worship is important and should not be forsaken (Heb. 10:25).
In examining the Scriptures
pertaining to the Sabbath I found three universal principals. These
principles underlie the specific applications that governed the nation
of Israel .
The Sabbath was a time for Israel
to rest from their own works as a shadow of the time when the Israelites would
keep a perpetual Sabbath. Many of these verses are specific applications
of the universal principle of ceasing from their own works and allowing
God to work in them.
Principle one: Teaching of the spiritual rest to come.
Gen. 2:2,3 (note that God blessed and sanctified the day
through Moses because He “had rested”); Ex. 16:23-30; 20:10-12;
31:13-17; 34:21; 35:2,3; Lev. 16:31; 19:3,30; 23:32; 23:38,39; Num. 15:32;
28:9,10; 28:25; 31:24; Deut. 5:12-15; 16:8; Neh. 9:14; 10:31; 13:15-21; Isa.
1:13; 56:2-6; 58:13; Jer. 17:21-27; Ezek. 20:12-24; 22:8,26; 23:38; 44:24;
45:17; Amos 8:5; Hosea 2:11; Mat. 12:1-12; Mark 2:23-28; 3:2-4; Luke 6:1-9;
13:10-16; 14:1-5; 23:56; John 5:9-23; 9:14-16; Rom. 14:5-7; Col. 2:16, 17; Heb.
4:1-11;
Many of these verses demanded that
no work be done. This is specific application of the universal
principle that there was a time coming in which Israel would cease from her
own ways and would allow God to work in her. Christ has now come and enabled us
to live in the Spirit and cease from our own works.
Principle two: A day for congregational worship.
Ex. 2:16; 20:8; Lev. 19:30; 23:3,8,24; 24:8; 26:2; Deut.
16:8; Neh. 10:33; 13:22; Isa. 66:23; Ezek. 23:38; 46:1,3; Luke 4:16, 31; Acts
13:14,27,42,44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4
The
Israelites were commanded to meet on certain days for worship. These specific
applications taught the universal principal that God expects
congregational worship. To this day God expects His children to assemble and
worship Him in holiness.
Principle three: A day of rest for workers and land.
(Stewardship)
Ex. 20:10; 23:12; Lev. 23:8; 25:2-8 (stewardship); 25:8;
26:34,35, 43; Num. 28:25; Deut. 5:14; Mark 2:27
God
demanded that His people allow those who served them, both man and beast, to
rest on the Sabbath. God also required Sabbaths for the land. These specific
applications were based on the underlying universal principles of
stewardship, and mercy. Employers should not inhibit their employees from
worshiping God by requiring constant service. Likewise, the land should not be
exploited to the point of being detrimental to the land’s health.
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