Remembering the Sabbath Day

From the very beginning of creation, Yahweh established a rhythm for His people: six days of work, and one day of rest. The Sabbath isn’t just a command—it’s a covenant sign, a blessing, and an invitation to step away from the noise of the world and into the presence of our Creator.

The Sabbath in Creation

Genesis tells us:

"And on the seventh day Elohim ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then Elohim blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which Elohim had created and made." (Genesis 2:2–3)

Before there were nations, before there was Israel, Yahweh set apart the seventh day as holy. It is woven into the fabric of creation itself.

A Command with Purpose

In Exodus, Yahweh gives Israel the Ten Commandments, and right in the heart of those instructions we read:

"Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart. Six days you labor and shall do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of Yahweh your Elohim. You do not do any work—you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates." (Exodus 20:8–10)

This isn’t just about personal rest—it’s about family, community, and even creation itself entering into Yahweh’s rest.

The Sabbath as Covenant

In Exodus 31:16–17, Yahweh calls the Sabbath a sign forever between Him and His people:

"And the children of Yisra’el shall guard the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. Between Me and the children of Yisra’el it is a sign forever; for in six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

When we remember the Sabbath, we are remembering who we are and whose we are.

Yeshua and the Sabbath

Many ask: Did Yeshua keep the Sabbath? The Scriptures are clear—He did. Yeshua taught, healed, and worshipped on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16). He declared Himself "Master of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8), reminding us that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).

He did not abolish it—He restored its true meaning: rest, renewal, and fellowship with Yahweh.

Why Remembering Matters Today

In a world that never stops working, the Sabbath is a radical act of faith. When we cease from our labors, we declare that Yahweh is our provider. We show trust that He sustains us, not our endless striving.

The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that we are free—free from Egypt, free from sin, and free from the systems of this world that demand constant toil.

Practical Ways to Remember the Sabbath

Light candles and welcome the Sabbath with a blessing.

Gather your family for a special meal.

Read and discuss the weekly Torah portion.

Worship Yahweh with song and prayer.

Rest from work, worry, and worldly distractions.

Take a walk in nature and reflect on creation.

Conclusion: Nothing Broken, Nothing Missing

The Sabbath is not a burden—it is a gift. A day when Yahweh invites us into His shalom: nothing broken, nothing missing. When we remember the Sabbath day, we remember that we are His set-apart people, living in His rhythm of rest and renewal.

As Isaiah 58:13–14 promises:

"If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My set-apart day, and shall call the Sabbath ‘a delight,’ the set-apart day of Yahweh ‘esteemed,’ and shall esteem it, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in Yahweh."

The Sabbath is more than a day—it’s a delight.