Remember the Shabbat
After returning from CA, I have been a bit of a recluse struggling to get back on track to what YAHWEH has intended for me. At times I find that I need to re-align myself with His desires, and the goals He has for me. I have been seeking to revive this energy of new beginnings I attained after Sukkot. So yesterday, I went for an impromptu drive in the rain, which began with me going to a farmers produce store, and since I take my camera everywhere, I ended up with one of the images you see above. A striking random water fall embedded in a wall of slate stones off to the side of the highway. (my picture does not do it justice) However, the sunrise, foggy waters and first frost images were from this morning. It’s pretty cold right now with temps ranging from 24-45 and I love it, yeah, I’m a bit of an eskimo,❄ and this morning I literally felt for the first time in a minute, His new mercies and forgiveness over my life and I am in such awe of His love for me; and with that said, LET’S GOOO!!
Side note: I began this devotional early morning around 4am 11/14/2022 and before I could finish I was summoned by the “employers that be” from my traditional job. 😔 Since then I have been on a non stop call to troubleshoot and resolve a production issue. Today 11/16/2022, 7:26pm, I am resuming. Whatever YAHWEH has for me to say, the enemy tried to zap the energy out of me through my job so that I won’t say it. Regardless, I’m getting it out there in the name of YESHUA. HalleluYAH!
Now where was I? Ah yes, the 4th Commandment Exodus 20:8 Remember the Shabbat (Sabbath) day to keep it kodesh (holy). Wait there’s more. 9: Six days shall you labor and do all your work; 10: But the seventh day is a Shabbat to YAHWEH your ELOHIM; in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor you daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor the sojourner who dwells in your towns. 11: For six days YAHWEH made the heaven and earth, the seas, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore YAHWEH blessed the Shabbat and sanctified it. (Aramaic) Deuteronomy 5:12 Keep the Shabbat (Sabbath) and sanctify it, as YAHWEH your ELOHIM has commanded you. 13: Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; 14: But the seventh day is the Shabbat to YAHWEH your ELOHIM; in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your ass, nor any of your cattle, nor the sojourner that is in your towns; that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you. 15: And remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and that YAHWEH your ELOHIM brought you out by a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm; therefore YAHWEH your ELOHIM has commanded you to keep the Shabbat day. (Aramaic)
As a christian, which I used to be, I believed that I was a person who kept The 10 Commandments. While not perfectly, I did believe that my life reflected the morality of the commandments of TMH. Honestly, during all of those years if someone had asked me what the 4th commandment was, I would not have been able to tell them. Yes I did understand that one of the commandments was to keep Shabbat, but I did not know it was number 4. If asked did I keep Shabbat, I would have have proudly stated that I do keep it. I was an active member of my church and I did my best not to miss a sunday and to get “involved”. I also believed that any 6 days of work followed by a day of rest was acceptable. However in this devotional, I want to really ponder what this commandment of YAH means. Based on the creation story in Genesis, the 7th day is YAHWEH’s commanded day of rest. Shabbat is literally Hebrew for “He rested” John 13:16 says, Truth I say to you, the servant is not greater than his Adon, nor the sent one that he who sent Him. So if YAHWEH rested why would we not? The points I would like to make regarding this commandment is not about whether or not we should keep it, because yes we must; my points will be centered around when, and how.
The majority of the world performs their worship of YAHWEH on the 1st day of the week. However worshiping on the last day of the week is modeled after the creation sequence in Genesis 2:1-2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them, 2: And on the sixth day the ELOHIM finished his works which he had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his works which He had made. 3: So the ELOHIM blessed the seventh day and sanctified it; because in it He had rested from all His works which the ELOHIM created and made. According to these verses it is the last day of the week, the seventh day and it is sanctified. What is the definition of the word sanctify? Oxford’s dictionary defines it as: set apart as or declare holy; consecrate. In Hebrew, the language of the Israelites, the word holy means Kodesh which Wikipedia defines as: sacred. So not only is this day to be observed on the seventh day of the week it is to be treated as sacred. One may even ask, what does sacred look like? It’s actually a question I asked. Well let’s go back to the scripture. What did YAHWEH say? I will paraphrase while you go back and read it in detail later. He said, you do not work, you do not allow anyone in your home to work, not your husband, wife, children or dog. So no, do not train your dog to sit and roll over on Shabbat (speaking for myself but if this resembles you too, welp 🤷🏽♀️.) Since I now live in the country, this also means your fowl, cows, and goats. If someone comes to visit you, you may not ask them to wash the dishes after dinner. Leviticus further explains how we are to observe this kodesh day. Leviticus 23:1-3 And YAHWEH said to Moshe (Moses) 2: Tell the people of Israel; The designated times of YAHWEH which you are to proclaim as kodesh (holy) convocations are my designated times. 3: Work is to be done on six days; but the seventh day is a Shabbat of complete rest, a kodesh convocation; you are not to do any kind of work; it is a Shabbat of YAHWEH even in your homes. (Complete Jewish Bible). This is how we are to sanctify the Shabbat.
Well, why then are people observing this day on the 1st day of the week? I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t. I do not know why when people know exactly what YAHWEH says clearly, it is ignored. I can explain why as a christian I used to observe it on the 1st day of the week, and the reason is because it’s just what we did. Once I got older and started reading a bit for myself; at the very least the 10 Commandments, I asked a bible study teacher about the 4th one. He said “that day is for the Jews” when clearly Numbers 15:16 says The same Torah and standard of judgment will apply to both you and the foreigner living with you. Still he further explained that we as christians observe on the 1st day because the Apostles did after the death and resurrection of YESHUA. I have even heard this verse many times and used to support this belief. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week let each of you put aside and keep in his house whatever he can afford so that there may be no collections when I come. I will ask a few questions that I truly do not have the answer for, but these questions do cause me to doubt hinging our worship on the 1st day of the week due to this verse. First, where it says “when I come,” Is Paul arriving to town on the 1st day of the week? If yes, and this is the Shabbat then He is traveling 🤔, I’m pretty sure he should not be traveling on Shabbat. He asked the saints on the first day of the week to put aside and keep in his house what he can afford. So does this mean they are dealing with and counting money on the first day of the week? 🤔 I’m not sure this is allowed either. Last point on this, verse 1 is overlooked. 1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints; as I have given order to the congregations of Galatia, likewise do you also (Aramaic) This sounds to me like Paul is giving direction regarding congregation funds being donated. Let’s look at the Complete Jewish Bible Translation for more insight - 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now, in regard to the collection being made for El’s people; you are to do the same as I directed the congregations in Galatia to do. 2: Every week, on Motza’ei-Shabbat, each of you should set some money aside, according to his resources, and save it up; so that when I come I won’t have to do fundraising. Does this sound like they are keeping Shabbat the way our Father in Heaven described? No, it sounds more like the christian churches of today who do take up collections, count money after service, update financial records, and even sell things like books, CD’s and have bake sales all on kodesh grounds. Oh, and the word Motza’ei-Shabbat literally means “the going out of the Sabbath.” So Paul is asking the congregation to do all of these things at the END of Shabbat.
Another verse used to support 1st day Shabbat worship is Colossians 2:16 So don’t let anyone pass judgement on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Hodesh or Shabbat. These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body is of the Messiah. (CJB) The preceding verses are many so I will cite them in context below in the supporting verses area. However I will paraphrase here; let’s understand what Paul is saying. Prior to this verse he was explaining the details of what YESHUA’S sacrifice on the stake had done for us. Paul detailed that YESHUA’S sacrifice blotted out our transgressions against the Torah which were sending us to eternal death; but His sacrifice saved us from this. Paul is compelling the body to realize how powerful this sacrifice was because it even superseded the powers of the governments and rulers on earth causing them to be meaningless over our lives. So then he goes on to say, (paraphrasing again) so don’t let anyone judge you because of how you eat or drink or that you still keep the festivals and Shabbats because our keeping these things now, is like practice for when the time really comes. So he wasn’t saying we can keep Shabbat on any day and don’t let anyone judge you for observing it on any 7th day. He was saying don’t let anyone judge you because you are keeping the laws of YAHWEH as intended in response to YESHUA’S sacrifice out of obedience. There is so much more to this but this devotional is getting longer and longer. I have some great videos that I will link below; talking about the background of Paul and how he previously followed the oral law and not the written. We are to follow the written law, the oral law added to what YAHWEH already commanded and placed burdens on the Jews with laws like not eating dairy and meat together. It’s actually why the pharisees came down on YESHUA because He broke all the laws they added.
2 last points I would like to make about sunday Shabbat observation. 1. Roman ruler Constantine called for rest on the “venerable day of the Sun” The Romans originally had a sun worshiping day, and the Papacy came after and carried forward this practice 2. Please see this direct quote from the Papacy: “This sign has been a mark of power ever since Justinian. “Sunday is our mark of authority …. The church is above the Bible, and this transference of sabbath observance is proof of that fact” (The Catholic Record of London, Ontario, Sept. 1, 1923). After exploring this information and hopefully performing further research on your own discovering the history of how sunday worship services in churches came about; how does one continue to worship and say they are serving and praising YAHWEH-YESHUA on the 1st day of the week with a clear conscience?
In conclusion, this is a huge subject that can be narrowed down to simply reading the 4th Commandment and then doing exactly what it says. When in doubt, obey. Trying to make Shabbat work for you and your life style within this world is a slippery slope when all one needs to do is read what YAHWEH says and then execute. What makes keeping this day so difficult is our attachment to the world. When I made a friend of mine aware of the change in my life regarding Shabbat he said “You mean you can’t even go have lunch at a restaurant on SAT?” The answer to this is no, because we are leaving our sacred dwellings and going out into the world. We would not be having lunch with YAHWEH, but with friends, where typically there is no discussion of YAHWEH during these lunches. Also, having the hostess, waiter, cooks and cashiers serve you is causing them to work on this day as well; so we are causing others to also transgress against our Creator. Let’s not take any chances with this one, it’s the most detailed commandment of the 10, and we were also reminded of a resulted blessing in keeping it in Isaiah. Isaiah 58:13 If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing your own interests on my kodesh day; If you call Shabbat a delight, YAHWEH’s kodesh day, worth honoring; then honor it by not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them. If you do, you will find delight in YAHWEH - I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of YAHWEH has spoken. He literally wants to spend time with us on this day. Isn’t spending your time with the Creator of all worth skipping a brunch or a day at the beach with your friends? It is to me!
Shalom & Berekah!
Just a few supporting quotes and scriptures:
A few quotes directly from Catholic clergy regarding Shabbat/Sabbath
Remember the Shabbat (Sabbath) day to keep it kodesh (holy). Wait there’s more. 9: Six days shall you labor and do all your work; 10: But the seventh day is a Shabbat to YAHWEH your ELOHIM; in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor you daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor the sojourner who dwells in your towns. 11: For six days YAHWEH made the heaven and earth, the seas, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore YAHWEH blessed the Shabbat and sanctified it. (Aramaic)
-Exodus 20:8-11
Keep the Shabbat (Sabbath) and sanctify it, as YAHWEH your ELOHIM has commanded you. 13: Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; 14: But the seventh day is the Shabbat to YAHWEH your ELOHIM; in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your ass, nor any of your cattle, nor the sojourner that is in your towns; that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you. 15: And remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and that YAHWEH you ELOHIM brought you out by a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm; therefore YAHWEH your ELOHIM has commanded you to keep the Shabbat day. (Aramaic)
-Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Truth I say to you, the servant is not greater than his Adon, nor the sent one that he who sent Him.
-John 13:16
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them, 2: And on the sixth day the ELOHIM finished his works which he had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his works which He had made. 3: So the ELOHIM blessed the seventh day and sanctified it; because in it He had rested from all His works which the ELOHIM created and made.
-Genesis 2:1-2
And YAHWEH said to Moshe (Moses) 2: Tell the people of Israel; The designated times of YAHWEH which you are to proclaim as kodesh (holy) convocations are my designated times. 3: Work is to be done on six days; but the seventh day is a Shabbat of complete rest, a kodesh convocation; you are not to do any kind of work; it is a Shabbat of YAHWEH even in y our homes. (Complete Jewish Bible).
-Leviticus 23
Now, in regard to the collection being made for El’s people; you are to do the same as I directed the congregations in Galatia to do. 2: Every week, on Motza’el-Shabbat, each of you should set some money aside, according to his resources, and save it up; so that when I come I won’t have to do fundraising. (Complete Jewish Bible).
-1 Corinthians 16:1-2
Also it was in union with him that you were circumcised with a circumcision not done by human hands, but accomplished by stripping away the old nature's control over the body. In this circumcision done by the Messiah, 12: you were buried along with him by being immersed; and in union with him, you were also raised up along with him by God's faithfulness that worked when he raised Yeshua from the dead. 13: You were dead because of your sins, that is, because of your "foreskin," your old nature. But God made you alive along with the Messiah by forgiving you all your sins. 14: He wiped away the bill of charges against us. Because of the regulations, it stood as a testimony against us; but he removed it by nailing it to the execution-stake. 15: Stripping the rulers and authorities of their power, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by means of the stake. 16: So don’t let anyone pass judgement on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Hodesh or Shabbat. These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body is of the Messiah. (CJB)
-Colossians 2:11-16
If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing your own interests on my kodesh day; If you call Shabbat a delight, YAHWEH’s kodesh day, worth honoring; then honor it by not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them. If you do, you will find delight in YAHWEH - I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of YAHWEH has spoken.
-Isaiah 58:13
Then Yeshua on a certain Shabbat passed by sowed fields, and his talmidum being hungry, took of the ears of grain and ate. Then the Perushim who saw it said to him, Your talmidim do what is not proper to do on the Shabbat. 3: So Yeshua said to them, Have you yourselves never read what David did when he became hungry, he and those who were with him? 4: That he entered into the house of EL, and they ate the set-apart loaves, which loaves he and those who were with him were not worthy to eat, but were for the priests alone?, 6: Truth I say to you that he who is here, he is greater than the Sanctuary, 7: And if you consider what I want to say, I desire steadfast-love more than offering, you yourselves would not at any time have punished the erring ones 8: For the Son of Eloah is Adon also of the Shabbat.
-Matthew 12:1-4, 6-8
So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God's people. 10: For the one who has entered God's rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. 11: Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.
-Hebrews 4:9-11
A psalm. A song for Shabbat: 2: It is good to give thanks to Adonai and sing praises to your name, ‘Elyon, 3: to tell in the morning about your grace and at night about your faithfulness, 4: to the music of a ten-stringed [harp] and a lute, with the melody sounding on a lyre. 5: For, Adonai, what you do makes me happy; I take joy in what your hands have made. 6: How great are your deeds, Adonai! How very deep your thoughts! 7: Stupid people can’t know, fools don’t understand, 8: that when the wicked sprout like grass, and all who do evil prosper, it is so that they can be eternally destroyed, 9: while you, Adonai, are exalted forever.
-Psalm 92:1-9
Video below providing further details about Shabbat