Institution of the Sabbath

How the Sabbath was made

When and by whom was the Sabbath made?

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And the Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:1,2.

What is the reason for keeping the Sabbath day holy?

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11.

Note – The Sabbath is the memorial of creation. God designed that through keeping it man should forever remember Him as the true and living God, the Creator of all things.

Did Christ have anything to do with creation and the making of the Sabbath?

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

John 1:3. (See also Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2.)

Note – Christ was the active agent in creation. God rested on the seventh day from the work of creation; therefore, Christ must have rested on the seventh day with the Father. Consequently, it is His rest day as well as the Father’s.

After resting on the seventh day, what did God do?

“And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:3. 

Note – By three distinct acts, then, was the Sabbath made: God rested on it; He blessed it; He sanctified it.  Sanctify means “to make sacred or holy,” “to consecrate,” “to set apart as sacred.”

Man and the Sabbath

For whom did Christ say the Sabbath was made?

“Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27.   

Note – Man here means “mankind.” God instituted the Sabbath to be a source of benefit and blessing to the human family.

When did God bless and sanctify the seventh day?

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing: so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:2,3.

Note – If we had no other passage than this of Genesis 2:3, there would be no difficulty in deducing from it a precept for the universal observance of a Sabbath, or seventh day, to be devoted to God as holy time, by all of that race for whom the earth and its nature were specially prepared. The first man must have known it. The words ‘He hallowed it’ can have no meaning otherwise. They would be a blank unless in reference to some who required to keep it holy. 

The Sabbath Test in Israel

What does the Sabbath commandment require?

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-10. 

How did God prove Israel in the wilderness?

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Exodus 16:4.  

On which day was a double portion of manna gathered?

“On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much – two omers – for each person – and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.” Verse 22.

What did Moses say to the rulers?

“He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: “Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil want you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.” Verse 23. 

What did some of the people do on the seventh day?

“Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none.”  Verse 27.

How did God reprove their disobedience?

“Then God said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and instructions?” Verse 28.

Why was twice as much manna given on the sixth day?

“Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” Verse 29.

How then, did the Lord test the people?

Over the keeping of the Sabbath.

Holy Day, Jehovah’s Rest

Holy day, Jehovah’s rest,

Of creation’s week the best;

Last of all the chosen seven,

Blessed of God, to man ‘twas given.

First His six days’ work is done,

Then the Sabbath was begun;

Thus He blessed the seventh day,

Thus in resting we obey.

Thousands have His plan reversed,

Resting now upon the first;

Search the Book and you shall know

There’s no scripture tells them so.

All who speak the truth must say

It was man who changed the day;

In God’s word no change appears

Through the whole six thousand years!

Thus I searched; and when I saw

Only one great Sabbath law,

Then I hastened to obey-

Plainly, ‘twas the only way.

                                 - F.E. Belden.

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