Philo also explains the number seven symbolically ( Moses, 2:210). All Jewish authors concur that God commanded Israel to literally rest, though it is not surprising that Philo thinks of it as well in terms of resting in God ( Sobriety, 1:174) and in terms of having thoughts of God that are fitting ( Special Laws, 2:260). Indeed, the angels kept the Sabbath in heaven before it was established on earth (2:30). The Sabbath is eternal, and even the angels keep it (2:17–24). Those who violate the Sabbath prescriptions should die (50:7, 13).

Sexual relations with one’s wife also are prohibited (50:8), though offering the sacrifices ordained in the law are permitted (50:10). Fasting is prohibited since the Sabbath is a day for feasting (50:10, 12). He emphasizes that no work should be done, specifying a number of tasks that are prohibited (50:12–13). The author of Jubilees propounds a rigorous view of the Sabbath ( Jubilees 50:6–13). Initially, the Hasmoneans refused to fight on the Sabbath, but after they were defeated in battle they changed their minds and began to fight on the Sabbath (1 Macc. The Sabbath was a day of feasting and therefore a day when fasting was not appropriate (Jdt. Rather, a number of illustrations will be provided to illustrate how seriously Jews took the Sabbath. It is not my purpose here to conduct a complete study. 20:12–24).įIGURE 5A: WORK PROHIBITED ON THE SABBATHįIGURE 5B: ACTIVITIES PERMITTED ON THE SABBATHĭuring the Second Temple period, views of the Sabbath continued to develop. Israel regularly violated the Sabbath-the sign of the covenant-and this is one of the reasons the people were sent into exile (Jer. 15:32–36), though collecting manna on the Sabbath before the Mosaic law was codified did not warrant such a punishment (Exod. Breaking the Sabbath command was no trivial matter, for the death penalty was inflicted upon those who intentionally violated it (Exod. The Lord promised great blessing to those who observed the Sabbath (Isa. The Sabbath, then, is the sign of the covenant between the Lord and Israel (Exod. Thus, the Sabbath is tied to Israel’s covenant with the Lord, for it celebrates her liberation from slavery. Israel was called upon to observe the Sabbath in remembrance of the Lord’s work in delivering them as slaves from Egyptian bondage (Deut. Psalm 92 is a Sabbath song that voices praise to God for his steadfast love and faithfulness. Special burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on the Sabbath (Num. It was also a day to honor and worship the Lord. The Sabbath was certainly a day for social concern, for rest was mandated for all Israelites, including their children, slaves, and even animals (Deut.

What did it mean for Israel not to work on the Sabbath? Figure 5 lists the kinds of activities that were prohibited and permitted. So, too, Israel was called upon to rest from work on the seventh day (Exod. The paradigm for the Sabbath was God’s rest on the seventh day of creation (Gen. 9:8–17) and the sign of the Abrahamic covenant is circumcision (Gen. We see elsewhere in the Old Testament that covenants have signs, so that the sign of the Noahic covenant is the rainbow (Gen. The Sabbath was given to Israel as a covenant sign, and Israel was commanded to rest on the seventh day. Today I’ll reprint question #37, “Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians?”īelievers today continue to dispute whether the Sabbath is required.

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