What do we make of the Sabbath command in the Ten Commandments? Is it still binding?
J.I. Packer, in Growing in Christ, says Sabbath observance probably existed before its codification in the Ten Commandments.
Packer cites three reasons:
- Because of the use of the language “remember the Sabbath,” which suggests it was perhaps already being kept.
- Because God was already refraining from sending manna on the seventh day to provide for a Sabbath rest (Exodus 16:22-30), which predates the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17).
- Because the principle of one day of rest in seven reaches back to the creation narrative (Genesis 2:2ff.).
Nevertheless, the question remains: Is the Sabbath still in effect for Christians?
Packer suggests, at the least, the principle is in effect and can be thus obeyed:
“Inferences…may be disputable, but the underlying principle is clear—namely, that we must honor God not only by our loyalty (first commandment) and thought-life (second commandment) and words (third commandment), but also by our use of time, in a rhythm of toil and rest; six days for work crowned by one day for worship. God’s claim on our sabbaths reminds us that all our time is his gift, to be given back to him and used for him. “Take my life” includes “take my moments and my days-take my time, all of it.” This is where true obedience to the fourth commandment begins.” (p. 280-281)
So, like Paul indicates in Ephesians 5:16, Packer concludes that we should make every moment count for God. Packer writes:
“Not by a frenzied rushing to pack a quart of activity into a pint pot of time (a common present-day error), but by an ordered lifestyle in which, within the set rhythm of toil and rest, work and worship, due time is allotted to sleep, family, wage-earning, homemaking, prayer, recreation, and so on, so that we master time instead of being mastered by it.” (p. 281)
What do you think of Packer’s conclusions?
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Reminds me of an observation I’ve heard, that Jesus was never in a rush yet overcame the world in three short years.
Yes! Good to remember not only what He did but also how he went about it.
Thanks for chiming in! I always appreciate the feedback!
The 7th Day alone is the Sabbath, for J.I. Packer to state that this was changed by the apostles and Jesus himself to the 1st day of the week, Sunday, is to reveal himself as a false prophet. How can anyone claim to be a disciple and a follower of Jesus and knowledgeable in the scriptures not know that the Sabbath is forever?!?