Why did God institute the Sabbath? - Sabbath - TouchPoints

Genesis 2:2-3On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

On each day of creation, God declared that what he had accomplished was good. When he blessed the seventh day of rest, he was also calling that decision good and right. He declared the seventh holy and thus set it apart from the other six days—a distinct day for a distinct purpose: rest.

Exodus 20:11“For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”

God instituted a weekly Sabbath day of rest because it honors his creative work and affirms the blessing he gave after he finished his work of creation.

Exodus 23:12“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.”

The weekly Sabbath rest allowed an opportunity for both people and animals to rest from their work and to be refreshed. Not only did it bring relief, it provided a specific time set aside for reflection.

Exodus 31:13“Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’”

Leviticus 23:3“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.”

Deuteronomy 5:14“The seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.”

Isaiah 58:13-14“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.”

The weekly Sabbath gave Israel a regular opportunity to remember their covenant with God and to worship him. This was to be done as individuals, as well as in holy assembly with others.