The Sabbath Was Made For Man

Sabbath DayDid you ever take a look at how many times the word ‘Sabbath’ is used in the Bible? Over 150 times. Compare that with the tithe (which is mentioned just over 50 times) and I’ve got to wonder which is more difficult for us to follow? Give ten percent of your funds to the work of the Lord, or spend an entire day with Him once a week?

Sabbath (or Shabbat)means to cease or rest. God says to honor, remember, and celebrate the Sabbath. It is His appointed time. Yeshua tells us that the Sabbath was made for us. So, if this is true, why do we fight so hard to ignore this precious gift?

The Sabbath does so many things for us.

  • It rejuvenates the body and soul
  • It strengthens our relationship with God
  • It reminds us of who God is – the Creator
  • It reminds us of creation
  • It reminds us of how much God loves us
  • It reminds us of our priorities – God first, then family
  • It is a life-training tool (see my post, What Does the Sabbath Teach Us?)

Yes, the Sabbath does a lot for us. Today I want to talk about how it strengthens our relationship with each other.

As you know (if you’ve been following my blog) that my life has had quite a few changes – the biggest of which is my grandson moving in with me and our traditions suddenly colliding. Because he’s needed my attention, my granddaughter got jealous so in all aspects, there’s been a lot of underlying tension in the house.

The one thing I keep going back to is the importance of the Sabbath. It was the last thing God made in His creation. For me, all of Creation is a gift from God – our life, our planet, each other. So to turn our foot away from the Sabbath is a slap in the face to God of all He’s done for us.

As important a thing as it is to me, it is the one sticking point with my grandson, the one thing that drives him crazy.

Except lately.

Lately, I’ve learned that the Sabbath strengthens our relationship with each other.

If you didn’t read my post, ‘What Do You Do When You When You Want to Kill Your Teenagers?‘, please do. 

As you’ve read, the situation in my home – for the last ten months – has not been fun. My joyous Sabbath celebrations turned to a muddled mess of fighting just to get a moment of love, joy, peace to shine in our home. Yet, as I followed God’s lead, to not push the kids to attend service, or leave them on their own while I did, we are growing into a cohesive unit.

This week, my granddaughter mentioned that she was looking forward to playing games again, and my grandson showed up on-time, rushed upstairs to change, and together we rang out ‘Shalom Aleichem’ with us ladies singing to the grandson’s beat box. And we laughed and smiled through it all!

Our dinner conversation was not all ‘me’ centered, the kids helped clear the table without being asked, and this morning we were sorry to see the time come to an end.

So you see, the Sabbath strengthened our relationship with each other. It may have taken ten months, and one big blow up, but because Sabbath was the goal, God blessed it and honored our efforts to honor Him.

 

4 Responses to The Sabbath Was Made For Man

  1. Questor September 3, 2017 at 3:02 pm #

    It’s a blessing to hear about your family coming together, Ro. Having none, I really admire those that do and actually strive to get along.

    I have finally figured out what my Shabbat is…under my particular circumstances, and feel at ease with my decisions. I am very Karaite…in other words…I only observe what is written in the scriptures, but I have no one to share the sabbath with, so I have streamlined my halacha, and just spend the time with Abba. It wouldn’t work in a community, perhaps, but since I am not in one, that doesn’t matter.

    One day when we are all able to meet together without hindrance of distance or time, it will be a lot of fun to find out what Yeshua’s Shabbats will be like, particularly since we may be enforcing the halacha….all that ruling and reigning stuff.;-)

  2. Ro Pinto September 4, 2017 at 9:29 am #

    After six kids and three grandchildren and some ministry responsibilities, I’ll leave that ruling and reigning to you, Questor. 😉

    I am struggling right now with lack of community. With the High Holy Days around the corner, i am no longer connected with a Messianic body of believers. It’s a strange feeling, but one I am familiar with, as having no body for fellowship has happened a couple of times in my life for various reasons.

    Right now I am seeking the Lord as to why, though I think I already have the answer. He’s called me to do what Paul did – go to the Gentiles. There’s such a hunger there.

    Being able to focus on the kids has always been my saving grace through the toughest of times. I tend to be very self-centered and they keep me other-centered. I guess G_d knew what He was doing when He gave them to me.

    I can’t wait to meet you and James and Pete and so many others that this Internet has allowed me the privilege of meeting. It was wild getting to worship with Proclaim Liberty this side of eternity. I can only imagine what it will be like on the other side!

  3. James September 9, 2017 at 9:26 am #

    It’s the Sabbath again but this time around, Florida is looking down the barrel of another hurricane. It is said that we should bless God for our misfortunes as well as our good fortune. May Hashem be blessed in Heaven.

    • Ro Pinto September 9, 2017 at 9:47 am #

      Yes, this Sabbath is very different than the last two. My granddaughter is with my son in south Florida. He didn’t want to evacuate, nor did he wasn’t his daughter to flee with me to Jacksonville. She’s more like my daughter than my grand, so this is hard.

      The song, “I’ll Praise You in the Storm” keeps running through my mind. Years ago, during Andrew, the Lord asked, “If I take your children, will you still trust me?” The only response I could give was the same as Peter – who do we have besides You? Where could we go?

      In all circumstances, God is a good, good Father. Thanjs for helping me to remember that, James.

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