Keep the Sabbath day holy, as Yahweh your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of Yahweh your God. In it, you shall do no any work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor you manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, you’re your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor any stranger who is within your gates, that your manservant and maidservant may rest as well as you. Remember that you were also a servant in the land of Egypt, and that Yahweh your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm. Therefore, Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)

People tend to use Deuteronomy 5:12-15 to argue that the Sabbath was only given to the Jews, basing this idea on the following words: “Remember that you were also a servant in the land of Egypt, and that Yahweh your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm. Therefore, Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day” (v. 15). It is important to note that this verse doesn’t give the reason for the existence of the Sabbath, but only says God commanded them to keep it. So, how could such an argument stand to reason when this passage isn’t meant to be looked at in the way that Sabbath objectors are interpreting it?

The observance of the Sabbath demarcated the difference between those who worshiped Yahweh, and those who worshiped false gods. By keeping it holy, the Israelites acknowledged God’s authority over their lives; that is, they remembered their roots (See Exodus 20:8-11). It makes perfect sense that God would expect them to keep it holy. God would expect all people to obey His commands. How else could a person worship Him except by obeying His voice?

Does the Bible tell us why the Sabbath was created? Indeed, it does!

“Thus, God finished creating the heavens and the earth, and all the host thereof. And on the seventh day, God ended His work, which He had made, and rested on the seventh day. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, for in it, He rested from all His work, which He created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3)

It is obvious that the Sabbath was created as a result of God resting in it, not because the Israelites were set free from their bondage. Therefore, those who rely on Deuteronomy 5:12-15 as a means to argue that the Sabbath doesn’t apply to us anymore are simply not reading the passage right. They are adding their own meaning to it. Genesis 2:3 makes that obvious!

If you have an objection to what I’ve just shared, please let me know. I am willing to hear what you have to say. You can contact me here: Contact Me. But please be sure to read the rest of the lessons, as you might find I’ve already addressed your objection (if you have one).

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