The Sabbath and Jesus - The Torah Series

The Sabbath and Jesus - The Torah Series

In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores the profound meaning of the Sabbath within the narrative of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, also known as Yeshua. This exploration reveals that the Sabbath is far more than just a day off; it is a central theme in God's story, pointing to His character, His promises, and the ultimate rest He offers through His Son.

The Sabbath: A Sacred Space in Time

The teaching begins by establishing the Sabbath as a sacred space within time. It is not merely the seventh day of the week but a recurring pattern woven throughout Scripture. This pattern includes the weekly Sabbath, the seven Sabbaths leading to Shavuot, the sabbatical year where the land rests every seventh year, and the Jubilee year after every seven sabbatical cycles, marking a time of freedom, debt forgiveness, and restoration.

The very first Sabbath occurred during the creation week, when God Himself rested after completing His creation. This act of divine rest is significant, with the creation account in Hebrew containing seven words in the first verse, hinting at the importance of the seventh day. Unlike the previous six days, the seventh day in Genesis does not have a recorded ending, suggesting its enduring nature and God's ongoing invitation to enter into that rest.

The Cultural Challenge to Rest

Acknowledging the work-related culture prevalent in the U.S., the teaching highlights the difficulties many face in embracing rest. Statistics reveal that a significant percentage of Americans do not take regular vacations due to work pressures, fear of falling behind, or the belief that constant productivity equates to value. This cultural mindset often leads to stress and anxiety, obscuring the importance of intentional rest. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about struggling to disconnect from work even during vacation, illustrating the pervasive nature of this challenge.

The Sabbath as a Gift and Invitation

Despite these cultural pressures, the teaching emphasizes that the Sabbath was a gift from God, an invitation to enter a sacred space within time and experience His blessing. This perspective shifts the focus from the restrictions often associated with the Sabbath to its intended purpose as a time for connection with God and rejuvenation. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's quote, "God is not found in the things of space, but in moments of time", underscores the value of intentionally setting aside time for spiritual reflection and rest.

The Sabbath in the Torah: Creation and Redemption

The Sabbath is first called holy in Genesis 2, a moment of time set apart by God Himself, not a physical object. Later in Exodus 20, the commandment to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, is linked to God's role as the Creator who rested. This observance calls Israel to imitate God's pattern of work and rest, recognizing Him as the ultimate Creator who can be trusted.

However, Deuteronomy 5 offers a different reason for observing the Sabbath: because God is the Redeemer who brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt. This perspective frames the Sabbath as a weekly celebration of liberation, a "mini Passover" reminding them that they are no longer slaves but a redeemed people. Employers and parents are called to imitate God's merciful liberation by giving rest to their workers and families. The Sabbath also served as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, distinguishing them from neighboring nations with different creation narratives where humans were created as slaves to the gods.

The Sabbath Pattern: Beyond a Single Day

The teaching stresses that the Sabbath pattern extends beyond the weekly observance. The sabbatical year required Israel to cease from cultivating the land every seventh year, trusting in God's provision. The Jubilee year, occurring every 50 years, was an even more radical enactment of hope and liberation, involving the cancellation of all debts, the freeing of slaves, and the return of land to its original tribal inheritance. These broader Sabbath cycles demonstrate God's character of mercy, justice, and liberating grace affecting the entire nation.

Consequences of Disregarding the Sabbath

Leviticus 26 connects the observance of the Sabbaths (weekly, yearly, Jubilee) with the blessing of peace and security in the Promised Land. Failure to keep these patterns and God's commandments would result in severe consequences, including being scattered among the nations and the land itself enjoying its neglected Sabbath rest. This historical consequence, the Babylonian exile, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of living as a Sabbath-keeping people.

The Prophets' Call for Justice and Righteousness

The prophets, such as Isaiah and Ezekiel, emphasized that true Sabbath observance is intrinsically linked to justice and righteousness. Simply adhering to the rituals of the Sabbath while perpetuating injustice and exploiting the poor was condemned by God. God declared that He found their Sabbath days abhorrent because their lives did not reflect His merciful character. The prophets looked forward to a future ultimate rest and a new exodus, a time when God Himself would bring complete liberation and peace.

Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Sabbath Rest

The atmosphere at the time of Jesus was one of anticipation for this promised ultimate rest. Jesus, in his first public announcement in Luke 4, read from Isaiah 61, proclaiming "today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing". This passage speaks of proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and the year of the Lord's favor – a clear reference to the Jubilee.

By declaring this, Jesus announced that He was ushering in the ultimate Sabbath rest, the long-awaited Jubilee of God's kingdom on earth. His ministry, marked by healing the sick on the Sabbath, was not a violation of God's law but an inauguration of the restoration and liberation that characterize God's ultimate Sabbath. Where there is ultimate rest in God's kingdom, there will be no suffering or injustice.

Entering God's Rest Today

The author of Hebrews uses Psalm 95 to warn believers against the same faithlessness that prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, God's promised rest. He emphasizes that a Sabbath rest remains for God's people, an invitation to enter into the peace and freedom found in Christ. This rest is not merely a cessation of physical labor but a lifestyle of faith that reflects the justice and mercy of God throughout the week.

Application for Everyday Life

• Intentionally set aside Friday evening to Saturday evening as a time of rest and reflection.
• Reflect on God's creation and redemption.
• Practice justice and righteousness in your interactions throughout the week.
• Trust in God's provision.
• Extend rest and grace to others.
• Value moments in time over material possessions.
• See the weekly Sabbath as a foretaste of the ultimate rest in God's kingdom.

In conclusion, the Sabbath, from its creation origins to its fulfillment in Jesus, is a powerful and multifaceted concept. It calls believers to a rhythm of work and rest, remembrance of God's mighty acts, and a commitment to living out His character of justice and mercy every day, with the weekly Sabbath serving as a vital reminder and opportunity to enter into His promised rest.

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