Importance of Sabbath in the Bible

The importance of the Sabbath in the Bible is not to be missed. God created this day of rest after His great work of creation.

After the six literal days, the Bible tells us that God created the Sabbath day. (Genesis 2:2-3)

The Sabbath is also the fourth commandment! It is an important day because it reminds us of our origins!

We have a Creator and a Redeemer, and the Sabbath is a sign of His creative powers! (Revelation 14:7)

It is also a sign between God and His people! Ezekiel 20:12,20.

Table of Contents

What is the biblical purpose of the Sabbath?

The biblical purpose of the Sabbath is to know God, get closer to Him, and strengthen your relationship with Him. (Exodus 20:8-11)

Not only that but also to do good unto those in need and suffering. (Luke 13:10-16)

Another purpose of the Sabbath is to rest. To stop from our daily work, to stop from cooking, shopping, cleaning, etc,

God knows what is best for us! After six days of work and stress, our body and spirit need time for rest.

On this holy day, we can disconnect from all the problems in our life, and enjoy rest and recuperation.

Divine Command

The Sabbath is a divine command. God made this to be the fourth commandment. This commandment points to Him as The Creator of all things.

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.
Exodus 20:8-11 KJV

Covenant Significance

Sign of Sanctification: The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, symbolizing sanctification and a covenant relationship (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.
Exodus 31:13 KJV

Everlasting Covenant: It serves as a perpetual reminder of the covenant between God and Israel (Ezekiel 20:12, 20).

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
Ezekiel 20:12,20 KJV

Worship and Spiritual Renewal

Church Worship: It is a day for assembling and worshipping God (Leviticus 23:3).

Meditation on God’s Works: The Sabbath invites reflection on God’s creation and redemption (Psalm 92, a “Sabbath song”).

This day we take time to go to Church to renew our spiritual relationship with God.

Singing, praising, praying and worshipping God for His kindness and mercy towards us.

Redemption and Liberation

Reminder of Deliverance: For Israel, the Sabbath commemorates deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). And for us today, commemorates deliverance from sin, and from the power of Satan.

Symbol of Ultimate Rest: It points forward to the eternal rest in God’s Kingdom (Hebrews 4:9-10).

Christ’s Relationship with the Sabbath

Fulfilment in Christ: Jesus declared Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), emphasizing its purpose.

Healing and Compassion: Jesus modelled Sabbath-keeping with acts of healing and restoration (Mark 2:27, Luke 13:10-17).

We can do the same to those around us in need and pain. Our communities are full of people in need. We should take time in this day and visit and help those people.

Prophetic and Eschatological Importance

Eschatological Rest: The Sabbath symbolizes the rest believers will enjoy in the new creation (Isaiah 66:22-23).

End-Time Faithfulness: Keeping the Sabbath is associated with allegiance to God in end-time prophecy (Revelation 14:12).

A final battle between truth and error will soon take place, as we read in Revelation 13.

The Sabbath will play the most important part in the last great conflict!

By keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day as the Bible teaches, we show our allegiance to God.

Conclusion for the Importance of Sabbath in the Bible

To conclude, the Sabbath is very important in the Bible. It is a sign of God’s creative powers. He instituted the Sabbath after the six literal creation days.

The Sabbath is a sign of His sanctification and redemptive power.

A day of rest and healing from everyday work and struggles.

A day when we take time to go to Church, to worship God, to study the Bible, to visit the poor, and the sick, and to help those in need.

The Sabbath is also a sign between God and His faithful people.

My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary