God Commands      

by: Pastor Tony Haglund, Canton Lutheran Church  

The Sabbath pattern--six days of work, followed by one of rest--is woven deep into the fabric of the Bible. The story of creation reaches its climax on the seventh day. By resting, God declares that creation is not only good, it is VERY GOOD.

Later, God teaches the people of Israel to share in the blessing of this seventh day (Exodus 16). By sending manna for only six days, God teaches God's people, through their own hunger and nature's provisions, to keep the Sabbath even before Moses has received the commandments.

When the commandments are given, the Sabbath commandment is the longest and in many ways, the most puzzling. Unlike the other commandments, it takes quite different forms in the two passages where the commandments appear. (Exodus 18 and Deuteronomy 6). Both versions require the same behavior, work on six days, rest on one--but each gives a different reason. What is wonderful is that each reason arises from a fundamental truth about God's relationship to humanity.

The Exodus commandment to "remember" the Sabbath is grounded in the story of creation. God rested and so should we for we are people created in the image of God.

The Deuteronomy commandment to "observe" the Sabbath is tied to the experience of people who have recently been released from bondage. Slaves cannot take time off--only free people can. When God's people "observe" the Sabbath they will remember that God is their source of freedom.

Sabbath Living teaches us that we are not only created by God and in God's image but that we have been redeemed and set free by this God who cares for his creation and rescues us--even from ourselves.