Introductory Thoughts
There is no doubt that the Sabbath was a sign between the Lord and Israel (Exodus 31:13, 17), but the Sabbath of rest also demonstrates a principle that man needs a period set aside to rest. According to the Lord Jesus, man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27). Unfortunately, the Sabbath became controlling because everyone wanted to look more spiritual than everyone else. Concerning the rest, the Lord Himself set the example in the creation where the Bible says, “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” (Genesis 2:2). Although the New Testament church is not under obligation to the law, every believer still needs to consider that he needs a day of rest each week.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): The Lord was serious about man needing a day of rest. He performed a miracle by giving the children of Israel manna in the wilderness and made special plans for the day of rest (Exodus 16:14-30).
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(For everyone): Things created (manExodus 34:21, animalsExodus 23:12, landLeviticus 25:4) require rest. Even the God who needed no rest (Psalm 121:4) rested for a day to set the example for man.
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Why did God institute a day of rest for the animals? Why did God institute times of rest for the land? How could those same principles be reason for God to institute a day of rest for man?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to teach you the importance of taking a day of rest.
- Thank God for caring enough to give you instruction.
Song
STRANGE AND MYSTERIOUS IS MY LIFE
