What is Sabbath?

Sabbath is From Creation

The Sabbath was established at Creation when God Himself rested on the seventh day after making the heavens and the earth:

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” — Genesis 2:1-3

This passage shows that the Sabbath is a place in time, set aside by God for humanity as part of His original plan for rest and relationship with Him.

Sabbath is part of The 10 Commandments

When God gave the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, He reaffirmed the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, commanding His people to keep it holy:

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping 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 it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” — Exodus 20:8-11

The Sabbath is a day of rest, but also a day of worship and connection with God. The commandment begins with the word “Remember”, emphasizing that this sacred day was already in place from the beginning.

Sabbath is a Time for Doing Good

Jesus observed the Sabbath faithfully and taught that it was a blessing for humanity, not a burden:

“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” — Mark 2:27-28

Jesus showed that the Sabbath is a time for doing good, for healing, for worship, and for spiritual renewal (Luke 4:16, Matthew 12:12). His life demonstrated that the Sabbath is a day to experience God’s love and care.

Sabbath is a Sign of Our Relationship with God

The Sabbath is more than a day of rest—it is a sign of our special relationship with God:

“I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.” — Ezekiel 20:12

By keeping the Sabbath, we acknowledge that God is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. In this was, the Sabbath is a weekly reminder that He is in control, and we can trust Him completely.

Sabbath is a Day of Rest, Worship, and Joy

The Sabbath is an invitation to rest from daily struggles and to delight in God’s presence:

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord.” — Isaiah 58:13-14

Sabbath is a day of joy, not legalism. It is a time to worship, strengthen relationships, enjoy nature, and reflect on God’s blessings.

The Sabbath in the New Earth

The Sabbath is not only for the present—it will continue in eternity:

“From one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me, says the Lord.” — Isaiah 66:23

This means the Sabbath is not temporary, but an eternal part of God’s plan for His people.

Sabbath as God’s Gift

The Sabbath is God’s gift—a sanctuary in time for rest, worship, and renewal. It reminds us of Creation, redemption, and our future with Him. Observing the Sabbath allows us to step away from the pressures of the world and experience the peace and presence of God in a special way.

Would you like to deepen your understanding and experience of the Sabbath? Take time each week to disconnect from distractions, spend quality time with God and loved ones, and embrace the joy of the Sabbath rest.