9) The Sabbath
The day of rest instituted by God at creation
The Sabbath is a special gift from God to humanity. In this lesson, we will study the origin, purpose, and blessing of the weekly day of rest.
The Origin of the Sabbath
When was the Sabbath instituted?
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Answer: At creation, on the seventh day
Genesis 2:1-3: "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
What did God do on the seventh day of creation?
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Answer: He rested, blessed, and sanctified the seventh day
Genesis 2:2-3: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
“The institutions that God has established are for the benefit of mankind.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, DA 288.1
The Fourth Commandment
What does the fourth commandment command?
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Answer: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
What is the reason given in the commandment for keeping the Sabbath?
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Answer: Because in six days the Lord made the heavens and earth and rested on the seventh
Exodus 20:11: "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
What day of the week is the biblical Sabbath?
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Answer: The seventh day (Saturday)
Luke 23:54-56: "And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment."
Jesus and the Sabbath
What was Jesus' custom on the Sabbath?
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Answer: As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day
Luke 4:16: "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read."
Did Jesus abolish the Sabbath?
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Answer: He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill
Matthew 5:17-18: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Of what did Jesus declare Himself Lord?
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Answer: Of the Sabbath
Mark 2:28: "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."
“Then the Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s power to make us holy.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, DA 288.2
The Sabbath in Eternity
Will the Sabbath be kept in the new earth?
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Answer: Yes, from Sabbath to Sabbath all flesh will come to worship before the Lord
Isaiah 66:22-23: "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD."
What does the Sabbath represent for God's people?
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Answer: A sign between God and His people
Exodus 31:13: "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you."
And Now?
The Sabbath is a special blessing from God:
- It was instituted at creation: Before sin, for all humanity
- It is in the Ten Commandments: It is part of God’s moral law
- Jesus kept the Sabbath: He left us an example
- It will continue in eternity: It is an everlasting memorial of creation
My Decision
I recognize that the seventh-day Sabbath is the day of rest instituted by God at creation. I accept that Jesus kept the Sabbath and I desire to follow His example. I choose to honor God by keeping the Sabbath as a special day of communion with Him.