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Sabbath
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 Sabbath Would anyone be interested? |
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The whole basis for the Sabbath goes back to Genesis. As I have explained before, the first three days are reminiscent of 'separating' or sanctifying a place for a sacred purpose. The second set of three days is filling those sacred spaces. Like sanctifying the courtyard of a Temple, then the raised platform where the service is to be conducted, and then the central altar; then introducing the worshippers, the priests, and then the High Priest. Those first six days are preparing a place and the people for worship. The whole purpose of Creation is to worship on the Seventh Day. So I don't think the primary meaning of the Sabbath is 'rest for its own sake'. It is to rest from everyday, routine trivial matters so we have time and headspace to worship. |
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bobspringett |
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Patz 10:22 |
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bobspringett When I try to dig deeper on a subject or topic. I generally ask myself "What did Jesus say, teach etc on the subject". So with that in mind. I offer my opinion... Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for the benefit of humanity, not as a burden. He emphasized that doing good on the Sabbath is lawful, challenging the strict interpretations of the religious leaders of his time. Jesus stated, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27-28). He also highlighted the original intention of the Sabbath as a time for rest, unity with God, and doing good, rather than merely following rigid rules. This can be broken down into sub topics: Purpose of the Sabbath: Jesus taught that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). He emphasized that the Sabbath was intended to benefit people, not be a burden. Or allow others to burden their fellow man or servants. No one observing the Sabbath could force someone to work. This reserves a day for worship and reflection. Doing good: Jesus asserted that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath. He healed people on the Sabbath, arguing that helping others took precedence over rigid rule-following. Exemplifying I desire mercy not sacrifice. Interpretation of the law: While the Pharisees had added many burdensome rules and traditions to Sabbath observance, Jesus focused on the original intent of God's law rather than man-made regulations, dogma or ritual. Authority: Jesus claimed to be "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28), asserting His authority over Sabbath laws and their interpretation. As such he is the example, not the Pharisees. He has also proven his authority many times over. Motivation: Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law rather than just outward compliance. He criticized the Pharisees for obeying outwardly but lacking the right inward motivation. Further exemplifying his statement... John 4:23-24. The specific verse is: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Mercy over sacrifice: Jesus applied the principle of God desiring mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 12:7), when interpreting Sabbath laws. In essence, Jesus taught a more compassionate and flexible approach to the Sabbath, prioritizing human needs and doing good over strict adherence to rules, while the Pharisees focused on rigid observance of detailed regulations. Rather than the dogma and rigid regulations that the Pharisees introduced and kept on introducing thusly nullifying the word of God. For their own furtherance of power and self-importance and traditions. |
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Patz 16:07 You raise good points. Let me touch on a few... 1. <Purpose of the Sabbath: Jesus taught that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"> Indeed! We are in God's image, the Sabbath is not. I recall that in the 'good old days' of Queen Victoria, the swings and other play equipment in children's parks was often padlocked on Sundays. This was to discourage children from being 'frivolous'. How to teach children to hate the Sabbath! For a young child, enjoying healthy play is a form of worship. 2. <No one observing the Sabbath could force someone to work.> This applied not only to Israelite servants, but also to foreigners and even animals. (Deut. 5:14, and Lev. 25:6 applying to the 'sabbath year'). Even those not covered by the Covenant are to enjoy the Sabbath, because ALL Creation was created to worship on the Sabbath. 3. <Jesus asserted that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath.> Because doing good is a form of worship. It is showing by actions that God intends good for all creation, and humans are how God intended to show himself in Creation. 4. <Interpretation of the law> This is the core of the 'problem'. It is a transactional view of religion, rather than a relational view. The transactional view is "I have formal obligations to act in a certain way, and in return God has an obligation to advance my interests." The relational view is "This is my chance to have Quality Time with the God who loves me, to reflect on His blessings upon me, and to contemplate how I can please Him by being more like Him." The transactional view marks out what is demanded, and therefore anything not demanded is 'mine'; the relational view is "There is nothing that I would not do to please the God who loves me." |
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bobspringett "Indeed! We are in God's image, the Sabbath is not." In any kingdom in the history of earth, if there was an effigy of the ruler, king, queen emperor etc. whatever title. And someone spat on the likeness of the king, or cursed it. What would happen? (In most cases) |
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Apatzer 17:53 That's why I hold that REAL justice is not in punishment, but in repentance and reconciliation. Punishment should not be imposed unless it becomes clear that the wrongdoer will not reform. |
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Next step... Have you noticed how the days are marked off? Each day is 'evening and morning'. That accords with Jewish reckoning that a day ended at sunset, and the new day started then. Thus 'Christmas Eve' doesn't mean the night BEFORE Christmas, but the evening of Christmas day which starts at sunset on December 24. Thus each day does not end until the evening of the following day. Now look at Day Six. there is 'evening and morning', but it is NOT followed by the evening of Day Seven. It is as though Day Six didn't end. Jesus hints at this same point when he says “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” (John 5:17). Creating humans 'in the Imager of God' is still a work in progress. This is made more interesting by the words used to describe humans in Chapter 1. "In our image' is literally 'in our shadow'. A shadow is an outline. It has no substance or internal qualities. It had yet to be filled. So I suggest that we are still in Day Six. We are still being made into God's Image, a work still in progress. Day Seven, the Day of Worship, the Day of Rest, is still to come. Comments, anyone? |
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Next Step continued... That approach outlined in my 16:08 post would mean that our Sabbath observance this side of the grave is anticipation, a rehearsal, or even an actualisation today of the Rest that is to come. A rest in which we will be completely in the Image of God. That means that we should use that Sabbath to consciously conform ourselves and our actions into what we will be in that Day. I think this is why Jesus deliberately healed on the Sabbath, even though he could have waited until the next day. He deliberately wanted to show what the Great Sabbath would be like, and how we would act on that Day that is to come. |
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Regarding the image of God bit, that's a reason why imposing the death penalty for murder was mandated to Noah's descendants, it is literally an offence against God's image. (The Laws given through Moses made provision for a defence that the death had been an accident). I think we would all agree that slavery as practised in the 18th and early 19th centuries is abhorrent. However, there is more to be said, because atheists nowadays like to use the argument that the Bible condones slavery. We have to understand the context. The basis for economic life in the Promised Land appears to be the idea that every man should work for his family's living, whether at farming, or a trade, or as a priest. So what happens if you fall on hard times? They had the concept of setting aside one-tenth of income as payment for members of the tribe of Levy to act as priests, so they could have coped with an instruction to set aside a little extra to create a fund for those in need. But God chose not to invent a social security system. Instead, the provision was that if you failed to support yourself, you could hire yourself out to work for someone else. Their term for that was slavery, essentially because "he tells me what to do and I do it". But in our terms it doesn't look that different to a contract of employment - the slave was "paid" board and lodging. |
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Colin 04:24 His argument is 'Slavery is slavery!" Yes, I suppose it is, just like "Grey is grey!" and "Hot is hot!". But that isn't a definition, just a tautology. I think much of modern thought is based on slavery as it was practiced in Dixie or on the British sugar plantations. It is not always the case. Many slaves in ancient Rome held high government positions and wielded significant authority. Even the slaves of tradesmen were typically treated as if family members, more secure in their lives than had they been manumitted and put out to find their living as freedmen with no rights at law or (more likely) petty criminals. And unlike Dixie, Hebrew slavery was for a limited time, and the owner was required to not only set the slave free but also to set him up with his own property (Levit. 25:39-43 = "And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. And then he shall depart from you—he and his children with him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers. For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves. You shall not rule over him with rigor, but you shall fear your God." Also Deut. 23:15 = “You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you." How does that contrast with the 'Fugitive Slave' laws before the Civil War? That's not 'slavery' in the modern meaning of the word, but more like 'working off your bankruptcy', with provision for escape if treated harshly. |
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There was a useful illustration of the point, in a film trailer which was everywhere on Cable TV adverts when the Gal Gadot Wonder Woman film came out. Diana / Wonder Woman has come from a culture which has been living in isolation amounting effectively to a time warp, for 2000 years. Her friend Steve introduces his secretary, but Diana has no idea what a secretary is. So the secretary tries to help by defining her role in the terms I quoted earlier - "he tells me what to do and I do it". To which Diana responds that her people would call that slavery. I don't think Diana's view would change if she were made aware that the secretary is paid a wage, because the slave is recompensed also in a way; he or she is a valuable asset, so feeding them, caring for their health as appropriate, makes economic sense. I think that Roman slavery could be harsh at times, but you are right that some slaves were able to gain status by showing themselves trustworthy.. |
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Colin 13:30 But 'slavery' in the Old Testament was simply not 'slavery' if that word means 'without any personal rights'. As you say, that's a case where 'Hebrew slavery' is NOT 'Dixieland slavery'. In fact, Hebrew slavery was more humane that Debtor's Prison and the Workhouses for the Poor imposed on citizens only a couple of centuries ago, after slavery was abolished. |
