Exodus 20:8-11
“Remember the Sabbath day to keep 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 that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident who stays within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy"
On this day, neither you, nor anyone with you, or even the animals under your care should work. This acknowledges that unending work only happens to slaves or machines. Here God is telling us that following him means you are free and that even animals earn a day of rest. By being part of this day of rest, you confirm your devotion to follow God. As He created all things and then rested, you follow His example in this and all matters.
To keep the Sabbath holy is to set it apart for devotion to God. Prepare in the six days before the Sabbath so that you can enjoy a day of well-deserved rest with your loved ones. Use this time to deepen your understanding of God's teachings, engage in games together, and strengthen family bonds. It's an opportunity to enhance your relationship with God while enjoying shared meals with your family as you continue or begin traditions.
As a believer in the Messiah, following the example of Christ is of the utmost importance. As Jesus was Jewish, it follows that we should honor the Sabbath as He did. Nevertheless, Jesus did many things outside what was considered "normal". The Pharisees took issue with Him performing good deeds and works on the Sabbath. So when the need arises, we too, should engage in good work. However, the essence of the Sabbath centers on rest. Jesus did say "The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath". This means the Sabbath is primarily for friendship and family. Above all, it is a time to express gratitude to God for the blessings bestowed upon us.
This commentary is the basis to the children's poem book God's Law Revealed in Poems now available on Amazon. If you read and enjoy this book, please leave a review on Amazon to help others guide their children towards the light.