Bible Self Study – Characters in the Hebrew Scriptures – The Sabbath (The Seventh Day)

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Introduction

In this self-study, we will explore the deeper significance of the Sabbath as the character that binds those who follow Yahusha Ha’Mashiach as a covenantal sign. We will examine its connection to salvation through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and why the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) remains the biblical day of rest and worship. Additionally, we will explore the unchanging nature of Yahuah and Yahusha, emphasizing that the Sabbath commandment has never been changed in Scripture and that the Sabbath remains consistent even in prophetic events yet to come.

Part 1: The Sabbath as a Covenant

Key Scriptures:
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 2:1-3 (KJV-YS):
1. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished , and all the host of them.  2. And on the seventh day Elohiym ended His work which He had made ; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. 3 And Elohiym blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it : because that in it He had rested from all His work which Elohiym created and made.

Shemoth (Exodus) 31:16-17 (KJV-YS):
16. Wherefore the children of Yashar’el shall guard the Sabbath , to keep the Sabbath throughout their generations , for a perpetual covenant.  17. It is a sign between Me and the children of Yashar’el for ever : for in six days Yahuah made the heaven and the earth , and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.

We have already looked at these verses in the third study of our series, but in this self-study you can enrich your understanding of these verses by answering and reflecting on the following questions:

1. Why did Elohiym rest on the seventh day, and how does this rest connect to His completion of creation?
   • Reflect on the nature of Elohiym’s rest after completing His creative work. Was it a rest of necessity, or did it serve a greater purpose? How does this act of resting reflect the perfection and completeness of creation?
2. How does Elohiym “blessing” and “sanctifying” the seventh day set it apart from the other days of the week?
   • Consider what it means for a day to be “blessed” and “sanctified.” There are other days that are blessed and set apart, but not another day during the regular week. How does this blessing and sanctification make the seventh day distinct from the other six days of creation? Why might Yahuah have chosen this day to sanctify?
3. How does the Sabbath serve as a perpetual covenant between Yahuah and His people?
   • The Sabbath is called a “perpetual covenant” in Exodus 31:16. Reflect on how the Sabbath acts as a sign of the unique relationship between Yahuah and His people. How does observing the Sabbath demonstrate a commitment to this covenant?
4. What does the word “perpetual” mean in the context of this covenant? How does it apply to the present day?
   • Explore the meaning of “perpetual” in the context of this covenant. How does the ongoing nature of the Sabbath covenant apply to modern-day believers? Why is it important to view the Sabbath as an eternal covenant rather than a temporary commandment?

Personal Reflection: How does viewing the Sabbath as a covenantal character in the biblical narrative change your perspective on its importance in your relationship with Yahuah and Yahusha?

Part 2: Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and the Fulfillment of the Sabbath

Key Scriptures:
Marqus (Mark) 2:27(KJV-YS):
27. And He said to them, The Sabbath for the sake of man came into being, not man for the sake of the Sabbath.

Mattithyahu (Matthew) 11:28-30 (KJV-YS):
28. Come unto Me , all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Ivrim (Hebrews) 4:9-10 (KJV-YS):
9. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of Elohiym. 10. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as Elohiym did from His.

1. Reflect on Mark 2:27-28 and answer:
   • What does Yahusha mean when He says, “The Sabbath for the sake of man came into being, not man for the sake of the Sabbath.”?
   • How does this statement reveal Yahuah’s intention for the Sabbath as a day of blessing and restoration for humanity?
2. Read Matthew 11:28-30 and reflect:
   • How does Yahusha’s invitation to rest connect to the Sabbath’s purpose as a day of spiritual and physical rest?
3. Consider Hebrews 4:9-10:
   • What does the passage mean by “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of Elohiym”?
   • How does Yahusha offer the ultimate fulfillment of the Sabbath rest in the context of salvation?

Personal Reflection: How can observing the Sabbath help deepen your personal relationship with Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, who invites you into His rest?

Part 3: The Fourth Commandment and the True Biblical Sabbath

Key Scriptures:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 5:12-15 (KJV-YS):
12. Guard the day of the Sabbath, to keep it set apart, as Yahuah Elohayka hath commanded thee. 13. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work: 14. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of Yahuah Elohayka: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Mitsrayim, and that Yahuah Elohayka brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm : therefore Yahuah Elohayka commanded thee to keep the day of the Sabbath.

1. Reflect on Devariym 5:12-15 and answer:
   • What does it mean to “remember the Sabbath day” and “keep it holy”?
   • How does this commandment set a clear pattern for six days of work and one day of rest?

Personal Reflection: What challenges will you face if you observe the Sabbath as Saturday? How can you prepare yourself spiritually and practically to honor the true Sabbath more fully?

Part 4: Yahuah and Yahusha Never Change: The Eternal Sabbath

Key Scriptures:
Mal’aki (Malachi) 3:6 (KJV-YS):
6. For I am Yahuah, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Ivrim (Hebrews) 13:8 (KJV-YS):
8. Yahusha Ha’Mashiach the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:22-23 (KJV-YS):
22. For as the new heavens and the new earth , which I will make , shall remain before Me, saith Yahuah , so shall your seed and your name remain . 23. And it shall come to pass, that from new moon to new moon , and from Sabbath to Sabbath , shall all flesh come to worship before Me , saith Yahuah.

1. Reflect on Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 and answer:
   • What do these verses reveal about Yahuah’s and Yahusha’s unchanging nature?
   • How does the fact that Yahuah never changes reinforce the idea that the Sabbath has not been altered or replaced?
2. Read Isaiah 66:22-23 and consider:
   • What does this passage tell us about the significance of the Sabbath in the new heaven and new earth?
   • How does this verse affirm that the Sabbath remains relevant in prophetic events yet to happen, continuing into eternity?

Personal Reflection: How does knowing that Yahuah and Yahusha never change strengthen your understanding that the Sabbath remains the same throughout history, even into future prophetic events?

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Part 5: Understanding the Shift from Saturday to Sunday

The change from observing the Sabbath on Saturday to worship on Sunday was not based on Scripture but rather historical, social, and political influences over time. Here is an overview of how this change occurred:

Early Christian Practice

In the early Christian church, many Jewish followers of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach continued to observe the Sabbath on Saturday in keeping with Jewish tradition. However, as the Gospel spread to non-Jews (Gentiles), many began to observe worship on Sunday, the day of Yahusha’s resurrection. This shift began to emerge around the 1st century, but it was not yet a formal doctrine.

Roman Influence and Emperor Constantine

A significant shift happened in the 4th century under Emperor Constantine. In AD 321, Constantine issued a civil decree declaring Sunday, the “venerable day of the sun,” as a day of rest for the empire. Though this decree had pagan origins, it was also intended to unify the empire under a common day of rest, aligning with the day many Christians had already begun to worship in honor of Yahusha’s resurrection. While Saturday remained the Sabbath biblically, Sunday became a civil rest day across the Roman Empire.

Council of Laodicea (AD 364)

The Council of Laodicea in AD 364 further cemented the shift from Saturday Sabbath observance to Sunday worship. The council declared in Canon 29:

“Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day; but the Lord’s day [Sunday] they shall especially honor…”

This effectively discouraged Sabbath observance on Saturday and formalized Sunday as the day of worship for Christians, making the observance of Sunday mandatory while forbidding rest on Saturday.

The Role of Catholicism

Over time, the Roman Catholic Church formalized Sunday observance as a part of Christian doctrine. The Catholic Church claimed authority to change the Sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday. For instance, the Catechism of the Catholic Church acknowledges that it was by the Church’s authority that the observance of Sunday was made binding upon Christians rather than Saturday.

Protestant Reformation

While the Protestant Reformation challenged many aspects of Catholic doctrine, most Protestant groups retained Sunday as their day of worship. However, certain groups, such as the Seventh-day Adventists, revived Saturday Sabbath observance, arguing that the change was unbiblical and made solely by human authority, not by Yahuah.

Summary of Change

The transition from Saturday to Sunday Sabbath observance was gradual and was influenced by political decisions, such as Constantine’s decree, and later enforced by the Catholic Church through councils like the Council of Laodicea. Although Scripture does not change the Sabbath, this practice became widespread due to human and institutional influence.

Reflection Question: Why is it important to recognize the biblical Sabbath as Saturday, even though many have historically shifted to Sunday observance?

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Conclusion and Application

Through this study, you’ve explored the unchanging nature of Yahuah and Yahusha and how the Sabbath remains the biblical day of rest, just as it was established at creation. Take time to reflect on how the Sabbath, as a perpetual covenant, is not only a sign of Yahuah’s relationship with His people but also a foreshadowing of the eternal rest in the new heavens and new earth.

Action Point: Set aside the coming Sabbath to reflect on Yahuah’s consistency, His covenant with you, and the rest He provides through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.