And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed. And He gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of Testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of GOD. (Exo 31:12-18)
Here GOD reminds the people of Israel, that as good as the Tabernacle is, as the work and will of GOD, they are still to rest in obedience to GOD and His Word. Rest because their bodies need it. Rest in worship of GOD, as Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. GOD is serious about His Character, His Holiness, and His Word. Here He ties the civil penal law for Israel to the Moral Law for everyone, just as He will later add the ceremonial law for the Jews, and connect them all.
GOD created us and designed us, and because that creation is now marred by sIn, it is even more important to rest our bodies. But, it's not about the day we rest, but about the rest we do during the day. GOD created all things in six 24 hour days, just as He said, and we remember that, every time we worship and rest on the seventh. We worship Him and remember His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, every time we rest in Him any day. We worship and praise Him for He is Lord and worthy of all praise.
We worship and rest in Him in fellowship, and when we give attention to the hearing and reading of His Word. When His servant, breaks the Bread of Life for our edification. When he reads the Word of God distinctly, and gives the sense, and causes us to understand the reading that we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord.
In rest and worship and from GOD's Word, we are refreshed and prepared to do the work of the ministry. We are thoroughly equipped to all good works; to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD gives the increase. We are taught Doctrine, reproved, corrected, and instructed in righteousness, so we may be perfect, grown up in the Lord and committed, disciplined followers of the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called, challenged, commissioned, and commanded to take His Gospel to everyone. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who will hear and believe, that in believing they might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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