What precisely is the Sabbath?
This isn’t an article about which day is the Sabbath or how it was or wasn’t changed. Smarter minds than mine have unequivocally answered that question in the form of big books, doctoral theses, and ecumenical conferences. This is an article about how we go about sharing it and its purposefully subjective nature.
I’ll start by asking you one simple question: Why do you keep the Sabbath? Besides the standard reply of, “Because it is commanded”, I am curious as to the deeper meaning of why we keep the Sabbath holy. People give some of the most interesting and revealing answers to this question. They range from, “I keep the Sabbath because I am made in the image of God” to “Because the Creator of the universe set aside that day to be holy, setting it apart for rest and worship, picturing the ultimate rest of His kingdom.” One of my favourite answers was, “I keep the Sabbath because it’s an anchor for my life and helps to keep the flow of my life intact.”
I love how poetic people become when describing the Sabbath. You can feel how much the Sabbath means to them. It’s important to them not only because it’s a commandment, but because of reasons that are unique to them. Their Sabbath is something personal and sometimes its meaning can only be put into words via poetic language—not prose.
There are some interesting ideas about the Sabbath revealed in Isaiah 58:13-14,
“If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath, from doing whatever you want on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy day of the Lord honourable; if you honour it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking business; then you will delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride over the heights of the land, and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.”
The first Hebrew word for “delight” used here is, “`ō-neg”, which can mean pleasant. Please tell me what is delightful or pleasant? I venture the answers to this question are myriad and yet singular to the individual. What is delightful or pleasant to you might not be the same for your brother or sister. I am reminded of the aphorism, “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” Paradoxically, although this relativistic look at the Sabbath permits considerable moral latitude in how to comply with keeping the Sabbath, it also makes it more precise and binding—not my pleasure, yet still must be a pleasure and delight. We, His children, must determine how we are to make it a delight.
What is interesting about the second “delight” in verse 14 (`ān-nag) is its meaning—which means “to be soft or pliable”. Keeping the Sabbath makes you pliable to the Lord. I find that to be fascinating. The Sabbath is supposed to assist God in changing what we find a delight—“to delight in the Lord”—and not just in other things.
There are some pretty clear-cut guidelines as to what the Sabbath is not. It is described in Deuteronomy 5:14 (KJV), “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work [.]” As clear as this is, there is still some play in it. For instance, one fine Sabbath morning I was setting up for services at our church. One of the early birds was talking with me about a new power tool he had just purchased. This power tool got me thinking about my business and how I could use one to do more work in less time, improving our bottom line. I told my friend, “I better stop thinking about this, because now I’m working”. He replied, “How is thinking about work, working?” To which I quipped, “You kidding me? Thinking is some of my best work!”
We both laughed and got back to laboriously moving chairs and tables for services. This is why I chuckle at red-faced legalists who argue with brethren on the specifics of Sabbath-keeping. The only thing we seemed to really have nailed down is when it starts, and even that has come into question lately (sunset vs. dark). So, forgive me if I tread lightly when explaining the Sabbath to the curious.
To those interested in drawing lines, remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees about the disciples breaching the Sabbath? You can find it in Matthew 12:1-8. In verses 5-8 he states,
“Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”
Jesus is telling them that technically the priests are “breaking the Sabbath” yet are blameless. I am reading into this account that Jesus looks into the heart of the individual, then judges whether they are complying with His commandment. He sees you making a judgment call on how to call the Sabbath a delight, and I have good news for you; He wants mercy not sacrifice. The One greater than the temple has last say in the matter and states in Mark 2:27, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.”
The more we try to objectify the Sabbath, the more we miss its point. This could be a test commandment to see how we internalize this highly subjective law.
When I am in a situation that is questionable with regard to Sabbath-keeping (or anything for that matter) I pray for wisdom and guidance—immediately. I think taking the time to quickly call out to God not only proves your sincerity but is literally one of the only things you can do.
It is one thing to provide scripture (meekly) that helps support individuals to see their behaviour as destructive or against what is written in the Bible, but too often I find individuals hatefully attacking well-meaning Christians about the “truth of the Sabbath”. This attack is usually a half-baked history lesson containing Constantine, the Council of Nicaea, and some references to vagaries in the church through history. Both usually walk away confused and in disbelief—one, why the other could not understand something so simple; the other, why one would place such importance on the day they choose to worship God.
The more we try to objectify the Sabbath, the more we miss its point. This could be a test commandment to see how we internalize this highly subjective law.
If our ultimate aim is to lead others to Christ, we must consider how we deliver our communications. I’m reminded of a lesson I once learnt from a Christian leader: “Christianity isn’t an argument. It’s a way of life”. Describe to people your way of life—how much peace you feel keeping the Sabbath and the joy you experience from honouring His ways. Let your eyes light up and your enthusiasm spill over until they ask themselves the question, “I wonder if they’re for real?” They might just chase that question into a seat at your local congregation.
By Blake Silverstein
Nate Rollins - September 11, 2021
This is a wonderfully refreshing view on the Sabbath. Thanks for posting your thoughts on this important topic. I agree that it is a “test commandment” that is best preached through example. I love the advice to show God my sincerety and love for His law by taking my uncertainty to Him in prayer.