Exodus_34
Scripture
Exodus 34:21 NIV
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
Observation-What does it say?
Moses was given the 10 commandments (a second time) in this chapter. Exodus 20 was the first chapter where the commandments were mentioned. However, Moses broke the first set of tablets out of anger when he saw the calf the Israelites had made and them dancing and worshipping it. (See Exodus 32:19)
In this chapter, the 4th commandment is mentioned again. It speaks about the Sabbath Day and laboring 6 days, but resting on the 7th.
Understanding-What does it mean?
All of God's commandments are important. However, out of all the commandments, the 4th commandment seems to be the one most easily overlooked, neglected and broken.
We live in a fast paced society where working for more money, stuff, status and acceptance are important and as a result, workaholism is the norm. Our value is placed on what we do instead of who we are. However, even God, the Creator of the Universe, took a day off from his work of creating. He didn’t need it, but He was giving us an example (and Adam an example) for the importance of rest.
“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”
Genesis 2:2-3 NLT
Life Application
We must establish safeguards to protect our Sabbath day of rest.
We live in a fast paced society where working for more money, stuff, status and acceptance are important and as a result, workaholism is the norm. Our value is placed on what we do instead of who we are. However, even God, the Creator of the Universe, took a day off from his work of creating. He didn’t need it, but He was giving us an example (and Adam an example) for the importance of rest.
“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”
Genesis 2:2-3 NLT
Life Application
We must establish safeguards to protect our Sabbath day of rest.
We try to establish safeguards in order to keep from breaking the other commandments, like stealing, adultery, murder, etc. What about a day of rest to the Lord? A Sabbath day of rest should be no different.
Also, it doesn’t matter what day of the week your Sabbath falls on. It doesn’t have to be Saturday or Sunday. It can be in the middle of the week like Tuesday or Wednesday if the weekends tend to be ministry days for you or you work for emergency services such as in the medical field.
Regarding what we are allowed to do on the Sabbath, I used to be very legalistic about it and make sure that all I did was read the Bible, listen to worship music, don’t answer any calls, don’t spend any money, etc. However, I still felt like I was trying to jump through religious hoops and I never felt well rested. Then the Holy Spirit reminded that I can do other things I enjoy too like go to the gym, read a book or go shopping, as long as I was doing it for His glory and remembering Him. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
As long as no heavy work or labor was being done, I was still honoring the Sabbath. I like how the NLT version of this verse puts it: “Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!””
Mark 2:27-28 NLT
(Just a warning that if you’re always used to being on the go, the enemy will attack during these times of rest and say you are not being productive or are being lazy. He will try to put your worth and value on what you do instead of who you are and who Christ says you are. Don’t listen to his lies. The enemy knows that when we take a rest day with Jesus, we will be more effective at furthering the Kingdom in our homes, workplaces, etc. I’m speaking from personal experience.)
If your workload requires 7 days a week of work, it is time to reevaluate your schedule. A day to refresh and recharge in Him, but also do NO work and rather do things that we enjoy, is important. It is important for our well being, and our spirit longs for these times of rest.
Whether we work in the world or in church ministry or both, it is important to observe a day of rest unto the Lord.
To check out the discussion or to join in, please click here.
Michelle Gaddi
Also, it doesn’t matter what day of the week your Sabbath falls on. It doesn’t have to be Saturday or Sunday. It can be in the middle of the week like Tuesday or Wednesday if the weekends tend to be ministry days for you or you work for emergency services such as in the medical field.
Regarding what we are allowed to do on the Sabbath, I used to be very legalistic about it and make sure that all I did was read the Bible, listen to worship music, don’t answer any calls, don’t spend any money, etc. However, I still felt like I was trying to jump through religious hoops and I never felt well rested. Then the Holy Spirit reminded that I can do other things I enjoy too like go to the gym, read a book or go shopping, as long as I was doing it for His glory and remembering Him. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
As long as no heavy work or labor was being done, I was still honoring the Sabbath. I like how the NLT version of this verse puts it: “Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!””
Mark 2:27-28 NLT
(Just a warning that if you’re always used to being on the go, the enemy will attack during these times of rest and say you are not being productive or are being lazy. He will try to put your worth and value on what you do instead of who you are and who Christ says you are. Don’t listen to his lies. The enemy knows that when we take a rest day with Jesus, we will be more effective at furthering the Kingdom in our homes, workplaces, etc. I’m speaking from personal experience.)
If your workload requires 7 days a week of work, it is time to reevaluate your schedule. A day to refresh and recharge in Him, but also do NO work and rather do things that we enjoy, is important. It is important for our well being, and our spirit longs for these times of rest.
Whether we work in the world or in church ministry or both, it is important to observe a day of rest unto the Lord.
To check out the discussion or to join in, please click here.
Michelle Gaddi
