BGEA: Is [the Sabbath] supposed to be a day of rest, or is it supposed to be for worship and other church activities?

A friend and I were discussing the Bible the other day, and we got to talking about how to observe the Sabbath. Why did God tell us to set aside one day out of seven? Is it supposed to be a day of rest, or is it supposed to be for worship and other church activities? — H.M.

God told us to set aside one day out of seven for a very good reason: He knew we needed it. If we work all the time, not only will we wear out physically, but we'll also neglect our relationship with God.

This is why one of the Ten Commandments says, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:9-10). (The word "Sabbath," incidentally, comes from an old Hebrew word that means to cease or stop doing something.)

This also is why we observe the Sabbath best when we use it for both rest and worship. Our bodies need rest, and that's why the Old Testament decreed, "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest" (Exodus 34:21). But our souls also need renewing—and that's why the Sabbath also should be a time for worship and instruction in God's Word. Jesus regularly attended worship on the Sabbath (e.g., Luke 4:14-16).

I'm afraid we're in danger of forgetting this commandment today—but when we do, we pay a price both physically and spiritually. Instead, God loves us, and He wants to bless us by giving us rest and restoring our souls. May this be true every week for you—and every day. When we know Christ, every day is an opportunity to love Him and serve Him more.

11 Comments

Commentor says 6.4.2013, 11:22 p.m.

The seventh day of the week has never changed.It has always been Saturday. the word Sabbath itself can be translated in many, many languages meaning Saturday. In 321 A.D. Constantine changed the Sabbath from Saturday to the pagan Sunday.

Timothy says 5.7.2013, 9:40 p.m.

You Sunday worshiper are worshiping in vain. God commanded us to worship on Saturday h blessed it and sanctified it. It is holy its been Holy from the begining. Everyday is not Holy but we are to live holy. noway we are 2 worship on sunday.Mark 7:6-9

Dillon says 3.23.2013, 11:03 p.m.

The sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the sabbath it was not made just for the jews...even Jesus Christ and his deciples kept the sabbath day (saturday)...isnt christianity walking as christ did?..The sabbth is a sign of loyalty to God

Marsha says 2.21.2013, 5:03 p.m.

The fourth commandment says to REMEMBER the SABBATH DAY, and keep it HOLY. As a memorial to the Creator who is unchanging. Hmm- Days of the week haven't changed . Jesus kept the SABBATH, and said that his law would not be changed. Thought provoking

Robert says 2.9.2013, 11:00 p.m.

There are 2 sabbath days: one blessed and sanctified by God, and one created by the Catholic church with the Pope's blessing. The commandment says to Remember the Sabbath Day as if it was foretold that man would usurp the word of God and make his own

Brian Wilson says 8.31.2012, 08:45 a.m.

George: if you have to work as long as you have another day off to pray and thank god, i am sure he will understandHello, God said he desires obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22: Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice). The 4th commandment

Harvey says 6.30.2012, 00:32 a.m.

The 4th commandment says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Not a Sabbath day. It was not a Jewish day but given by God at creation.

Tom says 2.27.2012, 2:44 p.m.

There is no evidence that Christians or any man had any right to change the Sabbath from the 7th day to the first day (Sunday). The truth of the Sabbath and its significance to the 10 commandments needs to be thoughtfully and prayerfully studied.

George says 3.25.2011, 11:58 p.m.

Its important to have the sabbath off to pray and say thanks to god, but if you have to work as long as you have another day off to pray and thank god, i am sure he will understand.Praying every day and asking for forgivness wont hurt either.

lisa says 11.17.2010, 11:57 a.m.

The Jewish Sabbath was a Saturday but Christians changed it to a Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday and it also showed they were different from Jews. I think sometimes it is needed to work on a Sunday - ie doctors, carers etc but another day should be taken off in place of it.

Irene says 9.29.2010, 7:36 p.m.

I am looking for work but I am also praying that I don't have to work on Sunday. My husband is retired but sometimes he has to work on Sunday to keep his job. He uses the money to buy his medicine now that he is in the donut hole. I really feel very strongly about not working on Sunday. I am also confused sometimes about the sabbath day. What was the seventh day in the early Bible.