The repetition of the Sabbath command throughout the Law of Moses is notable. What is even more notable is that a desecration of the Sabbath (by simply working) resulted in a death penalty! A death penalty for murder is perhaps understandable; but for working on the Sabbath? Before we judge the Mosaic law, let’s allow the Mosaic law to challenge our hierarchy of sins. We tend to think of ‘moral’ sins as being the worst. But, in Scripture, the worst sin is to reject God and his calling. The Sabbath was more than a ‘day off’ it was a declaration of God-given identity. It declared that people are not just beasts of burden defined by work and production. It made time for the most important thing in life: relationships. It was also humane for all workers including servants and animals. To desecrate the Sabbath was therefore to trample upon something sacred and threaten everything that matters most in life. That’s why it was made into a civil law for Israel along with the other laws that were enforced with punishments (and the punishments were part of maintaining the civil order in a way that provided sufficient deterrents by ancient standards). These Sabbath laws should prompt us to reflect on our priorities and life patterns. Are you creating time for what is most important? Do you have a pattern of life that prioritises relationships, prayer and worship (both private and corporate)? What do your life patterns say about you?
Reflect on your life patterns and ask God to help you live in a way that prioritises the most important things in life.
Read Exodus 31:12-18.
