In the account of the Bible, the Sabbath was established after the six literal creation days in Genesis 2:2-3.
Contrary to popular belief, the Sabbath was not established at Mount Sinai. On Mount Sinai the commandments were given in written form, including the Sabbath, which is the fourth commandment.
The Israelites already knew about the Sabbath, and this fact is shown in Exodus 16.
That’s why on Mount Sinai, the fourth commandment starts with the word “Remember”. This alone tells us that the topic of the Sabbath was already known.
Otherwise, how can you remember something you do not know anything about?
The Genesis Foundation: Sabbath at Creation
Genesis 2:2 KJV – And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Immediately after His creation of earth, sea, sky, animals and humans, God creates the Sabbath on the seventh day.
This was established before sin entered into the world and long before any nation, or state or race were in existence. The Jewish people did not exist back then.
Only Adam and Eve were present when God created the Sabbath day! This tells us He created it for all mankind!
The Sabbath is a memorial of God’s creative powers, a memorial of His work upon this Earth!
Every time we celebrate the Sabbath, we remember our origins and our Creator! Very important!
The Sabbath before Sinai
We find mention of the Sabbath day before the Mount Sinai event with the Ten Commandments.
In Exodus 16, verse 23 we find:
And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
Contrary to popular belief that the Sabbath was given at Mount Sinai, we find it way earlier than that in the Bible.
God instructed the people of Israel of His commandments long before this event!
At Mount Sinai the commandments were simply given in written form on stone!
But the people of Israel already knew about them, including the Sabbath! We see this from the obedience of Abraham as well! (Genesis 26:5 KJV)
The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:8-11 KJV 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.
The word “remember” says it all! How can you remember something you do not know anything about?
If they were to just hear about the Sabbath, this commandment should have been framed differently!
God gave the ten commandments in written form, in stone to show the Israelites the foundation of His throne and character!
The fourth commandment, is explicitly pointing back to the creation days, when God made everything there is on this Earth!
Every week, humanity must remember their origins, and never forget about their Creator, who made all things we enjoy on this Earth!
The Sabbath is for everyone
Some other commandments like the ceremonial laws which included dietary laws, festivals, etc were made only for the Jewish people.
However, the Ten Commandments, including the seventh day Sabbath, are for everyone!
Not only the Jewish people need rest one day per week, but all humanity!
The fact it was established in Genesis after the creation days shows us that is for everyone!
The Sabbath in the Life of Jesus
Jesus reminded the people in Mark 2:27:
Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
“Man” means mankind!
“Made for man” (Greek: ἄνθρωπος, anthropos, meaning humankind) signals that the Sabbath was designed as a gift for all people, not just Israelites.
Christ’s words point back to creation’s purpose, affirming that the Sabbath was part of God’s plan from the start.
Sabbath as a Perpetual Sign
Ezekiel 20:12 (KJV): 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.
The Sabbath also becomes a sign of the covenant between God and His loyal followers!
Everyone who obeys Him, must keep all the commandments, including the fourth!
God sanctifies us when we obey Him and keep His commandments!
Conclusion
The biblical record is on point: The Sabbath was established at Creation. Long before the Jewish nation existed, God blessed and sanctified the seventh day.
He created us and He knows what is best for us! Thus He invites all of us to pause on the seventh day to rest and worship Him, and to not forget our origins!
The Sabbath is a weekly reminder of our relationship with our Maker, and as a sign of gratitude towards Him, we obey and keep the fourth commandment also in the terms He made!
Because this day only was blessed and sanctified by God, if we obey Him, He will also bless us for the upcoming week!
Let us obey our Creator, and keep His seventh day Sabbath as He asks us to do in the fourth commandment!
No matter what others are saying, the Word of God is the best guide to have an authentic relationship with our Father!
My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary
The Days of Noah – Powerful Documentary (Video Format)
Bible Studies – Written Format
