THE SANCTITY OF THE SABBATH.
Deuteronomy 5:12-15.
The Sabbath is to be “kept” and “sanctified” (i.e. set apart for God) - as the LORD our God has commanded (DEUTERONOMY 5:12). It is to be ‘remembered’ (cf. Exodus 20:8) - which implies that it was already known about prior to the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Implicit in the command to rest is the command to work (DEUTERONOMY 5:13). However, nobody should be required to work more than six days a week. For employers to deny their workers at least one day off per week is not only detrimental to the health of the individual, but also harmful to the efficiency of the organisation.
The Sabbath, furthermore, is for all, in all ranks of society – and even for beasts of burden (DEUTERONOMY 5:14). It is first a Creation ordinance (cf. Genesis 2:1-3), but is now also revealed as a Redemption ordinance (DEUTERONOMY 5:15). It is to be sanctified - kept holy - and is symbolic of our entrance into the ‘rest’ of God (cf. Hebrews 4:3).
