{"id":79855,"date":"2023-02-09T16:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T00:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=79855"},"modified":"2023-02-09T06:05:30","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T14:05:30","slug":"jewish-explanation-of-sabbath-command-in-exodus-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/doctrine\/jewish-explanation-of-sabbath-command-in-exodus-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Jewish explanation of Sabbath command in Exodus 20"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\u00a9 CCOG<\/em><\/h3>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Israel365News<\/em> posted the following Jewish perspective on the meaning and application of the Sabbath command in Exodus 20 from a rabbi Pesach Wolicki:<\/p>\n

February 9, 2023<\/p>\n

Anyone who has heard me teach will be familiar with my constant refrain, \u201cRead the Bible carefully.\u201d …<\/p>\n

Remember the Sabbath day, to make it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. And the seventh day is Sabbath for the Lord your God: Do not do any work; you and your son and your daughter, your servant and your maidservant and your livestock, and the foreigner within your gates. \u2013 Exodus 20:7-9<\/em><\/p>\n

A number of questions emerge from a careful reading of this text.<\/p>\n

First, we are commanded to \u201cremember the Sabbath day, to make it holy<\/u><\/em>.\u201d How is this done? If you were told to make a day holy, what would you do? What exactly is God commanding us to do? We should note that many translations render this phrase: \u201cto keep it holy.\u201d This is incorrect. There\u2019s no other way to say it. The word le\u2019kadesho<\/em> is clear and simple to translate. It means \u201cto make it holy\u201d or \u201cto sanctify it.\u201d The reason these translators opt for \u201cto keep it holy,\u201d has nothing to do with actual translation. Rather, they are sensitive to the fact that way back in Genesis 2, we read that \u201cGod blessed the seventh day and made it holy,\u201d (Gen. 2:3). If God already made the seventh day holy, how can we be commanded to make it holy again? But these translators are missing the point, as I will explain.<\/p>\n

A second textual issue relates to the second verse in our passage, \u201cSix days you shall labor and do all your work.\u201d What is this verse telling us? Is it a commandment to work for six days? From context, we understand that it is setting up the Sabbath. Essentially, it says that, as opposed to the other six days of the week, the Sabbath is a day when we don\u2019t work. Still, the plain meaning of the words that seem to command us to work for six days is strange. But a bigger problem with this verse is the second phrase, \u201cand do all your work.\u201d This phrase does not appear to add anything of value. If the point of the verse is to tell me that after six days of work, we are to observe the Sabbath, a day when work is forbidden, the verse should have simply said, \u201cSix days you shall labor. And the seventh day is a Sabbath\u2026\u201d What would be missing from our understanding of the commandment to observe the Sabbath if it were written this way? What do the words, \u201cand do all your work\u201d add?<\/p>\n

Furthermore, within this apparently superfluous phrase, what purpose does the word \u201call\u201d serve? Why didn\u2019t the verse say, \u201cSix days you shall labor and do your work,\u201d without the word \u201call\u201d?<\/p>\n

One good rule of thumb when reading the Bible carefully is that if there are words or phrases that appear to be superfluous or redundant, it is precisely those words or phrases that we ought to pay greatest attention to. These are the words that require greater study. More often than not, it is these seemingly \u201cextra\u201d words that contain the Bible\u2019s deepest teachings.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the last question we raised. The verse says, \u201cSix days you shall labor and do all your work.\u201d What does this even mean? When was the last time you ended a week with \u201call\u201d your work done? Unless you happened to retire on a Friday, this is impossible. The Jewish sages of 2000 years ago were sensitive to this strange word and commented as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it possible for a person to complete all his work in six days? Rather, [the intent of the verse is] \u2018Rest on the Sabbath as though all your work is complete.\u2019\u201d \u2013 (Midrash, Mekhilta, Ex. 9:1:1)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRest on the Sabbath as though all your work is complete<\/u><\/em>.\u201d In other words, the word \u201call\u201d teaches us that we are to enter the Sabbath with the frame of mind that \u201call\u201d our work is done. The Bible is telling us that it is not enough for us to not work on the Sabbath. That would be fine if the sole purpose of the Sabbath was merely to give us a break with a day off. But the Sabbath is meant to be a sanctified day, a day for God. To achieve this, we must put work out of our minds completely. https:\/\/www.israel365news.com\/366642\/yitro-making-the-sabbath-holy\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Doing what God wants us to do and focusing on Him, His creation, and His ways helps put our thoughts where they should be. During the Sabbath we should refrain our minds from focusing on our regular jobs, school, and\/or other work we may have.<\/p>\n

King Solomon was inspired to write:<\/p>\n

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.\u00a0 (Ecclesiastes 9:10)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And that should be our attitude towards the observance of all the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath command. We should also be thankful for the Sabbath as it is not a burden as many Protestant leaders have called it.<\/p>\n

The prophet Isaiah was inspired to write:<\/p>\n

13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
\nFrom doing your pleasure on My holy day,
\nAnd call the Sabbath a delight,
\nThe holy day of the Lord honorable,
\nAnd shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
\nNor finding your own pleasure,
\nNor speaking your own words,
\n14 Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
\nAnd I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
\nAnd feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
\nThe mouth of the Lord has spoken.”\u00a0 (Isaiah 58:13-14)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As far as our thoughts and attitudes on the Sabbath go, the following from the Apostle Paul came to mind:<\/p>\n

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy \u2014 meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.\u00a0 (Philippians 4:8-9)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Sabbath is a “holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:2) and by attending\/watching church services there are things which you should learn and think on consistent with what the Apostle Paul wrote.<\/p>\n

Delight in God’s ways and observe the Sabbath God’s way.<\/p>\n

Several other items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

How to Observe the Sabbath<\/a> How should you keep the Sabbath? This is an old article by Raymond Cole, with updated information for the 21st century.
\nThe Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast<\/a> This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation<\/a>.
\nFOURTH COMMANDMENT: The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad<\/a> Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Commandment: Saturday or Sunday?<\/a>
\nAnother Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath<\/a> Did Ignatius write against the Sabbath and for Sunday? What about the Didache<\/em>? What does the actual Greek reveal?
\nIs Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord?<\/a> Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
\nThe Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad<\/a> Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a related sermon video The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It<\/span><\/a>.
\nThe Christian Sabbath<\/a>. This is a series of articles from the Catholic Mirror<\/em> essentially proving that the biblical Sabbath was Saturday, that the Lord’s day in Revelation 1 is not a reference to Sunday, that the Church of Rome implemented Sunday, and that nearly all Protestants followed Rome. Here is a link to a related sermon: Catholic teachings on the Sabbath, Sunday, and Protestantism<\/a>.
\nEarly Sabbath Keeping in North America<\/a> When did Europeans first keep the Sabbath in North America? Did the pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower keep Saturday or Sunday?
\nCan You Keep Your Job, Get Your Degree, and Keep the Sabbath?<\/a> This article has some information on that. Here is a link to a related video titled: Can you keep the Sabbath and your job? What about college?<\/a>
\nThe Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers <\/a>This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
\nIs God Unreasonable?<\/a> Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true? Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese NN*N T\bt\u0006v\u201ey^\u00ff\u001f<\/a>
\nShould You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?<\/a> This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. Two related sermons would be Which Spring Days should Christians observe?<\/a> and Fall Holy Days for Christians<\/a>.
\nIs There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible?<\/a> This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Here is a related link in Spanish\/espa\u00f1ol<\/span>: Calendario Anual de Adoraci\u00f3n \u0013Una cr\u00edtica basada en la Biblia y en la Historia: \u00bfHay un Calendario Anual de Adoraci\u00f3n en la Biblia?<\/a> A sermonette in English covers: Colossians, Galatians, and the Feasts of God<\/a>.
\nMessianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath<\/a>, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Judaism beliefs<\/a>.
\nSDA\/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666<\/a> The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA\/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666<\/a>. Here are two sermons in the English language: Seventh Day Baptists\/Adventists\/Messianics: Protestant or COG?<\/a> and CCOG and SDA differences and similarities<\/a>. Here is a link to an article in the Spanish language: Diferencias: SDA\/CCOG: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666<\/a>.
\nSeventh Day Baptists are Protestant, not Church of God<\/a> This article explains reasons why Baptists, include seventh day ones (SDBs) do not have the historical and doctrinal ties to the original church that many have claimed. Here are two related sermons in the English language: Seventh Day Baptists\/Adventists\/Messianics: Protestant or COG?<\/a> and Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History<\/a>.
\nCG7.ORG<\/a> This is a website for those interested in the Sabbath and churches that observe the seventh day Sabbath.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 CCOG COGwriter Israel365News posted the following Jewish perspective on the meaning and application of the Sabbath command in Exodus 20 from a rabbi Pesach Wolicki: February 9, 2023 Anyone who has heard me teach will be familiar with my constant refrain, \u201cRead the Bible carefully.\u201d … Remember the Sabbath day, to make it holy. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctrine","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t