Sabbath in Scripture

While the word for Sabbath (Hebrew: Shabbath, שַׁבָּת) doesn’t appear in Scripture until Exodus 16, Sabbath as a day of holy rest was given to us in creation as a divinely inspired pattern for our lives. The seventh day was modeled as a day of rest, set apart from the others. The Genesis account is quite clear, “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.” (Genesis 2:1, NIV, emphasis added). God took time to rest in that which had been finished. Even while the story of God and the humanity that He so loved was just beginning, there is an unmistakable sense of appreciating and acknowledging all that had been accomplished.

God took time to rest in that which had been finished. Even while the story of God and the humanity that He so loved was just beginning, there is an unmistakable sense of appreciating and acknowledging all that had been accomplished.

Do we use Sabbath to reflect on things completed well? Or do we march right on to the next project, the next task or the next idea? Do you regularly spend time resting in all that God has done with and through you? Or is your attention already on catching the next ball you’re juggling?

What will it take in your life to let Sabbath be a holy separation between what has been finished and what is yet to come? What needs to happen so you can look back and rest with God in holy contentment for a time?

We would encourage you to experience Sabbath in Scripture. For this installment in our Sabbath Series, we’ve looking at the places where scripture speaks on Sabbath and holy rest. Spend some of your Sabbath time with these passages. Look back on your week, your month, your year, or longer and see what God has been doing and saying. It is our prayer that you would explore these scriptures with an open heart, an open mind and especially with open ears and listen to what God has to say to you about experiencing that kind of rest, with Him.

Genesis 2:1-3