Shabbat

Abba Father gave us the Shabbat for rest but that is not the main spiritual purpose of the Shabbat. What does the Word of YHVH then say this day is?

·       It is a “sign” between Him and us, His children. 

·       A sign that we may know that YHVH is our King, and we are His children

The main emphasis of the Hebrew word Shabbat is on

·       the rest and the ceasing from our work as YHVH did.     

YHVH did 2 things with the 7th day:

·       He blessed it and sanctified it.

Yeshua teaches in Mar 2:27 that the Sabbath was made for man.  What does this

mean?

·       Adam and Eve were the only 2 people who existed at the time when YHVH

·       established the Sabbath. 

·       Yeshua uses the generic term “man” referring to all mankind 

·       It is not only for the Jews like so many people refer to the Sabbath as the “Sabbath of the Jews”

A colleague at work feels that you as a newborn Christian is bound by the Sabbath

and that it places a limitation of your freedom.  Shortly explain to him that it is in fact

liberating and a blessing of rest.

·       YHVH is a loving God, not a tyrant who enslaves His children. 

·       YHVH brings freedom to His children to worship Him. 

·       The Shabbat instructions were never given to be oppressive but a blessing of rest. 

·       Abba Father created us, designed us and looks out for us and as He Himself ceased from His creative work on the 7th day, He wants us to rest and cease on the same day.

Name any 2 of the principle elements and instructions for the Sabbath. Please

support your answer with scripture.

1.       Remember the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11)

2.       Keep it Holy (Exodus 20)

3.       Rest (Exodus 20:10 / Exodus 23:12 / Exodus 31:14-15 / Leviticus 23:3)

4.       We are not to buy or sell on the Shabbat (Nehemiah 10:31 / Nehemiah 13:15)

5.       We can do good on Shabbat (Matthew 23:4 / Matthew 12:10 / Luke 13:10)

6.       Teach the Shabbat (Act 20:7 / Matthew 18:20 / Leviticus 23)

WHEN IS THE SHABBAT?

·       Shabbat Day: The seventh day (Saturday) on the Gregorian calendar.

·       Start Time: Begins at sundown on Friday (Deuteronomy 16:6).

·       End Time: ends at sundown on Saturday.

·       Biblical Day Definition: A day begins at sundown and ends at sundown the following day (Genesis 1:5).

·       Common Misunderstanding: Many people mistakenly view Sunday (Yom Rishon) as the Sabbath.

·       Yeshua's Resurrection: He rose on the first day (Sunday) according to Mark 16:9.

Sabbath Change from Saturday to Sunday?

·       The Sabbath was never changed from Saturday to Sunday by YHVH; there is no scriptural basis for this change.

·       In 325 AD, at the Council of Nicea, Emperor Constantine led a group of bishops to unify the church and controversially changed the day of rest from Saturday (7th day) to Sunday (1st day).

·       We are not to add or take away from the Word of YHVH (Deut 4:2; Deut 12:32).

·       Believers are called to keep the Saturday Shabbat as their day of rest, in obedience to YHVH's Word.

·       Constantine did not call for corporate worship or teaching on Sundays; the Sabbath is for rest and time spent in YHVH's Word.

·       Only one day is instituted by YHVH for rest: the 7th day (Saturday).

Shabbat is Perpetual

·       YHVH established the Shabbat as a perpetual institution, intended for all generations.

·       The Word states does not state that Shabbat should stop to be honored at some time.

·       Exodus 31:16 KJV: "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant."

·       According to Isaiah 66, Shabbat will continue to be honored in the millennial Kingdom (1000 years in Rev 20) during Yeshua's reign.

·       Shabbat is an essential part of the covenant with YHVH, signifying His ongoing commitment to His people.

Example of Specific Deeds/Actions Addressed

To kindle fire: Exodus 35:3 KJV states, "Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day."

·       This verse is part of the context where YHVH instructs the Israelites not to perform servile work during the Shabbat while they were preparing to construct the Tabernacle.

·       The prohibition against kindling fire refers specifically to fires related to this construction work, not to keeping warm or cooking meals.

·       YHVH does not intend to contradict Himself by prohibiting work on Shabbat while commanding work for other holy feasts. For instance, Exodus 12:1-14 instructs the roasting of lamb for Pesach, which may fall on a Shabbat.

·       Leviticus 23:8 KJV says, "But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein."

·       This reinforces that kindling fire for ordinary work is prohibited, but fire for preparing food is allowable. YHVH's commandments reflect His nature of life and mercy.