Passage: Exodus 20:8-11 Speaker: Pastor Lukus Counterman Series: Ten Commandments
Speaker: Lukus Counterman - With the Sabbath Commandment, we come to the end of the first table of the Decalogue, that is, those commandments that focus on the proper worship and love of God. This is seen in the phrase (Ex. 20:10a) “The seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.” The grace of the Sabbath was to provide a day to be still and know God. At the same time, this commandment serves as a crucial bridge connecting to the commandments having to do with love of neighbor and the protection of our neighbor’s well-being. This is seen in (Ex. 20:10b) “On it [the Sabbath] you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.” The grace of Sabbath was to provide rest and renewal for all. It wasn’t meant to be horded by those who could afford it. It was to be shared with servants and strangers as an expression of love. In our consideration of the Sabbath Commandment, we will be challenged to evaluate our lives. Do we really understand the dignity of work? Do we really understand blessing of rest? And do we really understand how Jesus fits work and rest together in His redemptive plan? May the Lord teach us as we listen to his Word.