The Shabbat

[Mark]

Sabbath:

For the stranger as well as the Jew (Isaiah 56:6)

A day of rest (Exodus 20:10)
Examples of work to be avoided (Nehemiah 13:15)
Bringing in sheaves
Transporting loads
Treading wine presses
Selling of produce


Do not require work to be done (Exodus 20:20)
Example of no buying or selling (Nehemiah 10:31)


It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 3:4/Luke 13:15)

A day of holiness (Exodus 20:8/Isaiah 58:13)
Refrain from doing your own pleasure
Refrain from going your own ways
Refrain from speaking your own words


No cooking is done on Sabbath (Exodus 16:23)

A sign (an omen or beacon or monument) that it is YHWH who pronounces us clean (kodesh). (Exodus 31:13)

It is an act of work (to “observe” the Sabbath is “to make or do”) (Exodus 31:16)

No kindling (setting on fire) is done on Sabbath (Exodus 35:5)

Reverence for parents and protecting the Sabbath is associated (Leviticus 19:3)

Reverence for Zion and protecting the Sabbath are associated (Leviticus 19:30)

Remember the liberty at which you have been set (Deuteronomy 5:15)

**Special Note: Protecting the Sabbath “book-ends” Leviticus 19 with the following incapsulated within:
Face away from idolatry (Levitcus 19:4)
Making offerings of your own free will (Leviticus 19:5-8)
Leaving the gleanings for the poor (Levitius 19:9-10)
Honesty in conduct (Leviticus 19:11-13)
Respect for the disabled (Leviticus 19:14)
Equity in judgment (Leviticus 19:15-16)
Brotherly love-champion of righteousness (Leviticus 19:17-18)
Integrity in practice (Leviticus 19:19)
Fidelity in sexual relations (Leviticus 19:20)
Repentance of sin (Leviticus 19:21-22)
Honoring God’s timetable (Leviticus 19:23-25)
Refusing witch-craft, abominations in the sight of God (Leviticus 19:26-28)
Honor sexual purity (Leviticus 19:29)

A holy assembly of the people (Leviticus 23:3)
Teaching(Acts 15:21)
Prayers (Acts 16:13)


Sabbath Psalm (Psalm 92)

(Psa 92:1 KJV)
A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

(Psa 92:2 KJV)
To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

(Psa 92:3 KJV)
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

(Psa 92:4 KJV)
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

(Psa 92:5 KJV)
O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

(Psa 92:6 KJV)
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

(Psa 92:7 KJV)
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed forever:

(Psa 92:8 KJV)
But thou, LORD, art most high forevermore.

(Psa 92:9 KJV)
For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

(Psa 92:10 KJV)
But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of a unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

(Psa 92:11 KJV)
Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

(Psa 92:12 KJV)
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

(Psa 92:13 KJV)
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

(Psa 92:14 KJV)
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

(Psa 92:15 KJV)
To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Observe the festival holidays as Sabbaths
You Kippur (Leviticus 23:32)
First and eighth day of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:39)

The Sabbath year the land shall rest from farming (Leviticus 25:4-6)

Year of Jubilee is every 50 years- a rest from all obligations (Leviticus 25:8-17)

The Eastern Gate of Jerusalem (the Gate of the King) shall be opened for the Sabbath: it a day to invite fellowship with God (Ezekiel46:1)

[Blake]

"For the stranger as well as the Jew (Isaiah 56:6)"

An excellent verse! Messiah says something similar in Mark:

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27)"

The Sabbath was made for all people, not just the Hebrews!
I wish more Christians could understand this, and find the great blessing and gift the Sabbath is.

The Sabbath was even kept before Sinai:

27It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather, but they found none.

28Then the LORD said to Moses, "(AF)How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions?

29"See, the LORD has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."

When God first sent mana (before Sinai) the Sabbath is awknowledged and the Hebrews are even reprimanded for forgetting it!

[Vaneide]

mark said:

Many Jews and Messianic Jews believe that it is okay to light candles on Shabbat because it is a mitzvot. Others believe that the lighting of fire is connected with the general command of Shabbat to neither create or destroy. I'm a simpleton. Adonai said not to do it so we don't. This caused some discomfort this past Pesach which fell on Shabbat. The custom is to light Passover candles. We didn't light them.

It is worth drawing a mental picture of the Tabernacle period. The Tent of Meeting (the Tabernacle) was situated in the center of the camp with each tribe positioned in a circular pattern around it.

The three common uses for fire are heat, food and light. During this period, the tents were large enough to hold an entire family of several generations- not just the Mom, Dad and kids we think of now. There were two main sections in each tent- the front portion was a coral for the animals. They would bring them in at night for warmth, so that's how they heated their tents. Food we know about- they were commanded not to cook on Shabbat. This leaves light.

Imagine what Erev Shabbat would look like if the entire camp of Israel was dark; except for one Light: the Shekinah glory which rests over the Tabernacle. The message is clear- to draw us close to the place of meeting with Adonai- to focus our attention upon Him, to do all things in the "light" of Him. This idea brings some familiar passages of Scripture to mind. 1st John 1 tells us to walk in the Light as He is in the Light- that if we do not the truth, we walk in darkness. In the Revelation we read that there will be no sun nor moon for Messiah, Himself, will be our Light.

It's become difficult to feel this significance in our modern age- thanks Mr. Edison! Some folk turn off their electricity on Erev Shabbat to force themselves into this place of quiet rest. Not to condemn or to advocate, we must remember that it is our heart that Adonai longs to draw to Himself on Shabbat- not our prideful martyrdom. Many are obedient to Shabbat (by whatever practice) as a re-calibration of their focus to place all things under submission of Adonai. Others feel the need to make extreme changes in their lives so that they feel more holy, more righteous or in some way better than others or than what they used to be (Catholics call that penance). It is crucial to keep your heart in check when deciding what you do and refrain from on Shabbat.

I'll close this message and then copy an outline I had put together defining Shabbat. It is simple, probably incomplete; but I believe it gives a solid idea of what biblically to require in our teaching of Sabbath observance.

Thank you for your answer. Ok, I think I can understand. Today I do not do things on the shabbat that I used to do before. But, I con't do all that I wish, like go to a Sinagoga and lern about the , or as family keep the shabat at home. My husband doesn't thing like me, he is very Christian. So, I have to do things on the shabat, like: Light fire and heat the food, and I feel bad about that, so, I tray to not cook on Shabbat, I just heat the food. But, we also use the internt, the refrigerator, the lights and in the winter we have to use the central heat, because England is a very, very cold country. So, am I doing wrong? What I have to do? I am not jews, I am a goy who love and believe so much in G-d and want to obey Him in everything

Vaneide.

P.S. Sorry about my poor English.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Mark, you are a wise and understanding teacher. May YHVH richly bless you my friend!

Vaniede,

It is so important that you are obedient to your husband as a part of your obedience to G'd and for your witness to your husband. This is such an important mitzvah (commandment). I feel your pain as you wish to keep more fully. I truly believe that you will more fully be able to keep if your husband is of the same mind. For this to happen there will need to be continued prayer on your part, and a continued gentle and quiet spirit towards your husband (1Kefa/Peter 3:1-6) . My advice to you until then is keep as much of as you possibly can while honoring your husband. Your husband will see your love and devotion to G'd and may be more willing to accomodate your desires to serve Adonai and keep His .

Berachot b'Yeshua HaMashiach
(Blessings in Yeshua The Messiah),

Reuel

[Vaneide]

Thanks Reuel,

Your words are like medicina in my heart. I know that I have to obey my husband, and he is a very good husband and father too. The problem is just the spiritualy, because I have a vision and he has other. But, I don't blame him. The onily problem is the false theology that are in the christian Church.

Thanks everyone for yours words and help,

Van.

[Chizuk Emunah]

Well put Mark. Very well written and concise.

[Rick]

Shalom Mishpochah,

It is a busy time of year for all of us I'm sure. I wanted to take the time to post for this thread. The Messianic community must be making an impact within "The Body"; Discussion within the "Mainstream" Church, behind the scenes has become interesting. Many are apparently beginning to ask questions of the "Establishment". Sabbath is probably first in the 'top ten'. What follows sums up what is the opinion of most of the 'Mainline' Denominations in response to what seems to be an increasing number who are questioning the status quo.
I would love to hear everyones input on this.

Please keep in mind this is not my personal view, (or I would not be in this forum ).

Do we disobey God when we worship on Sunday rather than on the Sabbath (Saturday)?

Sometimes Christians prefer to worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) for personal reasons, or they have a desire to reach out to Jewish people. Although we respect the motivations of these brothers and sisters, we must emphasize that Sabbath observance isn't required of us today.

Sabbath-keeping was part of a covenant with Israel that is not a moral obligation for the church. Even when Christians worship on the Sabbath, they aren't "keeping the Sabbath." To "keep the Sabbath" as it was required in the Old Testament would involve compliance with stringent regulations (e.g. Exodus 16:23; 35:3; Leviticus 23:32; Jeremiah 17:21 ) that were strictly enforced.

The early Christians may have worshiped on the Sabbath, along with other days of the week. It would be natural for them to do so, because most of them were Jews continuing to associate with their Jewish brethren. When Paul traveled from synagogue to synagogue in the Mediterranean world preaching the gospel, he often preached on the Jewish Sabbath. This was a matter of necessity. After all, Sabbath was the day Jewish congregations met and Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles associated with the synagogues were the natural recipients for the gospel message. However, Scripture ( Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ) and the writings of the church fathers show that the primary day for worship in the apostolic church was not the seventh day of the week, but the first.

Ignatius, the apostolic church father who was probably born during the time of our Lord's ministry and was, along with Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John, said this about the Sabbath and Sunday worship:

If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death -- whom some deny, by which mystery we have obtained faith . . . . (Epistle to the Magnesians, chapter 9).

Justin Martyr, a disciple of Polycarp (mentioned above) wrote:

And we afterwords continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration (Comments on weekly worship from chapter 67 of First Apology).

Along with Ignatius and Justin Martyr, many other apostolic and early church fathers clearly declared Sunday the Christian day of worship. This was long before the centralization of church authority in Rome and the "Christianization" of the Roman Empire under Constantine.

Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and other church fathers attribute Sunday worship to the fact that Christ was resurrected on the first day of the week. This isn't surprising, not only because of the symbolism involved with the day of our Lord's resurrection, but because the Lord Himself emphasized Sunday rather than the Sabbath by choosing it as the day in which He met with His disciples in His post-resurrection appearances ( Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20:19-29 ). Further, Sunday was the day the Holy Spirit manifested Himself and the church was born ( Acts 2 ).

While the moral principles underlying the other nine commandments are repeatedly expressed in the New Testament, not once does the New Testament instruct Christians to keep the Sabbath commandment. To the contrary, Colossians 2:16-17 states that we should let no one judge us regarding a Sabbath day. In Romans 14:1-6 the apostle Paul made it clear that he opposed controversy on "disputable matters." He declared, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind" (v.5).

God gave the Sabbath to Israel as a sign of His special covenant with His chosen people. It was part of an elaborate system of sacrifices, rituals, and offerings ( Exodus 31:13-17; Nehemiah 9:13-14 ). The Epistle to the Hebrews makes it clear, however, that the coming of the Messiah invalidated these regulations ( Hebrews 10:1-18 ). It emphasizes that the Old Testament has been replaced by a new covenant ( Hebrews 8:7-13 ). Paul warned the church in Galatia about legalism relating to the Mosaic law, saying:

How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! ( Galatians 4:9-10 ).

When the Jerusalem counsel met to establish the obligations of Gentile believers in respect to Old Testament law, it concluded that the only "requirements" were to "abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality" ( Acts 15:29 ). Circumcision was rejected, and Sabbath-keeping wasn't even mentioned.

No longer do we need to linger in the shadows of Old Testament law. The New Testament -- not the Mosaic law -- is our standard. For Christians, the significance of the Mosaic system has been abolished. Its rules and regulations have authority only when they coincide with the unchanging moral principles affirmed in the New Testament.

Because the New Testament makes it clear that Sabbath-keeping is neither essential to salvation nor a crucial aspect of Christian living, we consider any insistence that Sabbath worship is essential to the Christian walk as legalistic and divisive. We respect fellow Christians who have personal reasons for preferring to worship on the Sabbath, and we consider their choice a matter of Christian liberty. We also recognize that there may be profound spiritual benefits involved with setting aside a day for rest, worship, and meditation -- whether that day be Saturday, Sunday, or another day. But bitter controversy over the Sabbath serves only to interfere with the proclamation of the gospel of God's grace to us in Christ Jesus.

1. "Violating the Sabbath was a serious offense, and the person who worked on the Sabbath was to be 'cut off from among his people' ( Exodus 31:14 ). During their wandering in the wilderness the Israelites brought to trial a man found gathering wood on the Sabbath. He was stoned to death according to the commandment of the Lord for profaning the Sabbath ( Numbers 15:32-36 )" (D. A. Rausch in Evangelical Dictionary Of Theology).

2. Evidence that apostolic Christians began observing the Lord's Day -- the first day of the week -- is so strong that Michael Green, F. F. Bruce, and other church historians cite it as important evidence for the resurrection.

What I find most interesting in this argument is the almost total dependence on writings of the "Church Fathers", since, I'm sure they realize they have little to no "Scripture" to substantiate their "Position".

I look forward to your response.

Shalom uv'rachah b'Yeshua HaMashiach
Rick

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

One thing they fail to mention is many, if not most of what they call "The Church Fathers" where severely anti-Semitic...and certainly did not reflect the teachings of Messiah or His original Talmidim (Disciples) when it came to their estimation of in a believer’s life. This writer relies on the writings of what he calls "The Church Fathers" and twists Sha'ul's (Paul's) writings instead of relying on the teachings of Messiah Himself and His Father's which were the basis for Messiah's and all of His disciple’s teachings. This is the same anti-nomian rhetoric that is classic in anti- Churches worldwide and it is very easy to refute. These Christian leaders are becoming nervous because they cannot refute based Messianic theology and many are turning to the truth...so they have to cling to the words of what they call “The Church Fathers” as they disregard the Word Of G'd.

If people would like to take a look at passages that the article specifically speaks about, let us take a look at them in the appropriate area of the forum as there very well maybe threads already dedicated to the subjects. But, if not, let's start one!

Shalom chaverim,

Reuel

[Prodigal Girl]

What I do not understand, is WHY church leaders are so upset over this? I am surprised, also, why not MORE Christians are asking questions. Everyone looked at me like I had two heads, when I began to ask questions. Church leaders should be thrilled that people are actually doing like they are told to do, and actually reading their Bibles. Part of reading with comprehension (at the risk of sounding like your child's third grade teacher) is asking questions about what you read, and thinking critically.
I think what is throwing them into a tizzy, is that the church has had such total control for so long, that they are threatened when Jews who are believers are starting to take the leading edge for a change. Amazing and rather exciting.

[Mark]

It is somewhat of what you fear, I think: that the Church doesn't wantto relinquish control to those of a Judaic persuasion. There is really much anti-semitism in the Church. They don't even realize it's so because they are so rarely confronted with anything or anyone Jewish.

If we are being obedient to the Scriptures, though, relinquishing the Sabbath is not turning things over to the Jew; but rather turning things over to Adonai. Indeed, in much of the Church, this is a foreign and scary concept. Church structure is built and designed after the model of the Roman government (i.e. the Holy Catholic Church). Jewish structure (in the Bible, not modern) is Theocratic: "we will not move until God moves". Leadership in the Church are often in those positions because they enjoy leadership. That's not easy to give up- especiallyto God.

Another answer is simply that to admit the biblical Sabbath would mean that they and the teachings they have followed for several hundred (if not thousands) years would be wrong. This is not an easy hole to dig oneself out of; and their agenda is often full enough with "pressing" issues of their own (not realizing that most of their problems are because they have rejected to begin with).

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

This is not an easy hole to dig oneself out of; and their agenda is often full enough with "pressing" issues of their own (not realizing that most of their problems are because they have rejected to begin with).

That is worthy to repeat.

[MindyJo]

I know this was posted awhile ago, but I have a neighbor who is questioning Sabbath, I can't tell as of yet if she is really seeking it out or trying to show me I am wrong. Does anyone have a good study on the Sabbath and proof of the Sabbath being saturday? I keep searching on this forum and have yet to find it.

Thanks:)

Mindy Jo

[Vaneide]

Shabbat Shalom, Brothers in Yeshua

Just to let you know that I have improve a lot my shabbat. My husband doesn't say too much anymore. Some thing still the same, but I have seen some changes, little changes, but that's mean a lot for me.

May He bless you all with lots of different kinds of blesses,

Vaneide

[Prodigal Girl]

Good going, Veaneide! You may find after you get better at this, that your husband actually will like the changes you are making. Work all week starting Sunday, at getting the house all clean, work all done, and plan ahead to have good food all cooked for Friday night and Saturday so you do not have to cook. Make food ahead that he can get himself on that day. On Thursday and Friday, make a special effort to get things "ready". Make it festive, with an especially nice dinner ready when he gets home. Also prepare yourself for your husband by bathing, fixing your hair, and dressing especially nicely for Friday evening. Set the table, add candles, then welcome him home. Shabbat is actually wonderful for marriages. Sleep late the next morning, wake up in a leisurely manner, stay home, use paper plates, spend the day relaxing, reading, talking with God and listening to him.
Question everyone: what does it mean to not speak your own words on Shabbat?

[Vaneide]

prodigalgirl said:

Good going, Veaneide! You may find after you get better at this, that your husband actually will like the changes you are making. Work all week starting Sunday, at getting the house all clean, work all done, and plan ahead to have good food all cooked for Friday night and Saturday so you do not have to cook. Make food ahead that he can get himself on that day. On Thursday and Friday, make a special effort to get things "ready". Make it festive, with an especially nice dinner ready when he gets home. Also prepare yourself for your husband by bathing, fixing your hair, and dressing especially nicely for Friday evening. Set the table, add candles, then welcome him home. Shabbat is actually wonderful for marriages. Sleep late the next morning, wake up in a leisurely manner, stay home, use paper plates, spend the day relaxing, reading, talking with God and listening to him.
Question everyone: what does it mean to not speak your own words on Shabbat?

Shabbat Shalom, dear sister

I Wish to do all that you had said here. But my husband doesn't agree whit me.

He knows that I don't cook on shabbat anymore or others things like shopping, laundry and etc. He knows that every Friday night will be on the table a special meal, despite he doesn't want any special plates or candles. He also knows that I start to do the house work on Sundays.

The only problem its he is a super christian and he loves his faith, his church and his Sunday rest. He doesn't allow me to teach the kids anything Jews. He is Also a Sunday school teacher. As you can see my situation isn't the easy one. The only thing that I can do its to be silence and pray for him. Of course sometimes its to hard, because of my own character. But Hashen is given me strength and patient.

May He bless you more and more,

Vaneide.