Sunday 1: Sabbath as rest
Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11; Genesis 1:31 - 2:3
This week we begin a five-week exploration of Sabbath, starting with the commandment to keep the Sabbath in the Exodus 20 version of the Ten Commandments. (Next week we look at the Deuteronomy 5 version, which is a little different.)
In commanding a Sabbath for humanity in its life on Earth, Exodus 20 says we do it to pattern our lives after God who after working with Earth for six days to make it good, rests on the seventh day. And if God takes a break from working with Earth after six days (giving Earth a rest as well from being tinkered with and improved) who are we not to do the same? Do we do harm to Earth, maybe even undo its goodness, by not resting? Do we do harm to ourselves? Is constant work and no Sabbath rest an offence to God?
A big question, though, is what we mean by keeping Sabbath and taking Sabbath rest.
We often lament the passing of Sunday as a legally enforced day of rest from work and commerce. But Jews and Muslims in our society find ways to keep Sabbath without having their Sabbath day enforced by civil law. And maybe keeping Sabbath doesn't only and always mean being in worship in a church building Sunday morning.
Two questions to think about:
1) Why does God rest on the seventh day?
2) When, where, and how do you rest deeply in the goodness of God? Not just relaxing, but intentionally and consciously resting in God and in the fullness and goodness of what God has given. Where, when and how does this happen (either sometimes or regularly) for you?
I've been thinking about these things myself, and I'll post my Sunday-morning sermon here Sunday afternoon.
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