Sabbath

[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] As we close out this series, this final post is kind of a postscript. This series has been written about observing a sabbath. By this, we have endeavored to consider the day as a beneficial practice or habit, but we have stopped short of talking about its more technical, theological shifts. So, here I want to say just a word about its ongoing relevance for Christians. The exegetical challenges of appropriating the Old … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Relevance

[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] I mentioned in the last post the need to consider a couple of meta dimensions of the sabbath. This is the second one: preparation. Modern advocates often forget this practical, necessary aspect of sabbath observance. People talk about the day itself, as we have, but fail to consider that one of the keys to sabbath observance begins the day before. You must get ready to sabbath. In the Bible, we bump into this necessity. … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Preparation

[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] In this series, we have been talking about dimensions of the day itself: Rest, Remembrance, and Relationship. But in this post and the next, I want to mention two, kind of, meta dimensions, that contribute to the day but are outside of the day. The first meta dimension is denial. It is not easy to observe a sabbath. It sounds easy. Rest, remembrance, and relationship, these are all things we love. But when you get to your … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Denial

[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] The final core dimension of a sabbath is relationship. Relationship does not mean simply having lunch with friends and family, though that is certainly a worthy expression of this dimension. Relationship refers to the communal nature of its observance. The Sabbath was to be for everyone. The Sabbath is something we do together. In Old Testament Israel, the Sabbath Day was not reserved for the wealthy or social elites. It was for … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Relationship

[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] The second major dimension of observing a sabbath is remembrance. On a sabbath day, we remember the Lord. We remember what he has done. We remember that he has rescued and redeemed us. We remember that he is always working, that he is always watching over us. This dimension of the Sabbath becomes clear in its second iteration in Deuteronomy: [12] “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Remembrance

[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] To observe a sabbath properly, you must rest. Rest is the core of sabbath keeping and its first dimension. Rest is what makes a sabbath day a sabbath day. This rest is not merely the rest of sleeping, though a good nap is certainly welcome on a sabbath. It is the rest of stopping. The Hebrew word (shabbat) behind "sabbath" means "to stop." We sometimes use the word "rest" in this way. We might say, "When he was done … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Rest