Obedience in Rest

SCRIPTURE BY JANICE HALL
Scripture Lesson Text: Exodus 31: 12-18
Related Scriptures: Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 35: 1-3; Leviticus 23:1-3; Mark 2:23-28; Hebrews 4: 1-13

The lesson emphasizes the importance of resting before the LORD and honoring the day that He set aside. Though God gave Israel a work to do in building the tabernacle, He did not want them to do that work on the Sabbath, the rest of God still had to be respected. Genesis 2:1-3, show the conclusion to chapter one, because God had finished his work and it was time for rest. The word used for rest in this context, in the Hebrew word’ shabath’ means to cease and be still.

Exodus 35:1-3 shows Moses gathering the children of Israel and sharing with them how to observe the Sabbath day. God first called Israel to the work of simple obedience. Leviticus 23:1-3, is the introduction to the feasts of the LORD. The major theme in all these feasts is gratitude for what God has done, and what God continues to give.

Mark2:23-28 demonstrates how the more Jesus shows His authority, the Pharisees resented Him and took notice of His unorthodox ways. All the events in the chapter are met with some resistance from Jesus’ critics and He responds with a spiritual reasonable defense. Hebrews 4:1-13, speaks of the disobedience which caused Israel’s suffering. The problem for Israel at Canaan was a failure to obey God, due to fear. Israel only forfeited their rest in Canaan when they failed to complete the tasks given them by God. God’s rest is a place, but also a state of being

SYNOPSIS BY OLIVIA SAUNDERS
In our lesson today, we take a look at a pivotal moment in biblical history. Many Christians have debated for many years about the Sabbath and how to keep it holy. The Sabbath is considered as a day of religious observance, abstinence from work, kept by the Jewish people, from Friday evening to Saturday evening. In our scripture lesson text, we are able to glean from a conversation from our Father and Moses. The covenant was given to the Israelites and God makes it clear to Moses that it must be kept or otherwise face consequences.

The Sabbath was given to the Israelites to sanctify them, not to harm them. For many years this group of people had suffered much hardship and their ‘liberator ‘ wanted to give them strategic rest. God even used himself as an example saying,” For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” God wanted his people to have a day where they focused, be refreshed and know that there is obedience in rest.

With the people of Israel in mind, God made it clear that he was not only the God of the whole community, but a personal God. He wanted them to know that rest was intentional and to remind them that every good thing comes from Him. This was the (“Shabbat”), Sabbath which means the day of rest. This ground breaking covenant still exists today, and observed by people all around the world, in obedience to Him. God wants us to trust Him, rest in Him and to remember how blessed we are to have a Father who cares for us.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY PAM JONES
Our story today reminds us of how much God loves us, and wants us to rest, as He rested. We can use that time to spend it with Him, to get to know Him in a deeper, closer way. Our golden text scripture, Exodus 31:13, says “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely my sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies[a] you.” God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. During that process, He made us for several reasons, one of which was to sanctify us: set us apart for His work, and His glory!

Reverencing God is one major act that the world has forgotten how to do. When I was growing up, all of the department stores, some grocery stores, movie theatres, and bars were closed. They did not dare open on a Sunday, because that was God’s day! Even if some people didn’t go to church, they still had enough respect for God to stay home. But, springing forward a number of years and we find ourselves doing the same things on Sunday, that we do Monday through Saturday.

The Sabbath was to be a holy day unto the Lord, for He set that day aside for himself, and us. It was to be a perpetual covenant between God and His chosen people, the children of Israel, and us. To think that He chose us and desires to make us holy as He is holy, is awesome. Let’s take the time to remember why God wants us to rest on the Sabbath. We have a covenant relationship with Him; to be sanctified, and spend time with Him, because He loves us just that much!