Ezekiel 20:19 I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; 20 hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
In this context, Israel had made its exodus from slavery in Egypt and God is beginning to sanctify them by revealing a code of law that addresses them on a creator to creation basis. These are instructions that will enhance the quality of the person's physical and spiritual life if they are headed. These verses are not talking about eternal salvation. God's "statutes and judgments" were given to the people as a means to walk with God at that time.
The word "hallow" here has the idea of "to treat as holy". We want to look at these things with a distinct implied respect on a "reverence" level. "Sabbaths" here is the Hebrew word shab-bawth' which means "intermission". It's a day to cease all ordinary work. There is a lot of debate among the faithful about the Sabbath and whether or not Christians today are obligated by it. What I can find here is that this is one of the 10 Commandments which are laws directly from God. There is no instruction anywhere in scripture that says to ignore them. In fact, Jesus added 2.“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ and ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Jesus does offer "rest" in Him, but again, we are never instructed to just ignore the 10 Commandments. As Christians, we understand that every day belongs to the Lord, but even the arguments against observing the Sabbath are iffy as far as I am concerned. After all, who wouldn't want to at least have 1 day to not work? I try to take time to reflect on what God is saying and what God has done in my life every day but a day to really let my body just do "not much" while doing those things is pretty amazing.
In the New Testament, we are clearly told not to judge others in this regard. Colossians 2:16-17 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. By the way - in case you are wondering, the Sabbath would be Saturday not Sunday as some may think. Saturday is actually the 7th day of the week. Sunday is the start of the week which is why it's an awesome day to get to church or at least have fellowship (if you can't find a church that is actually following God) so that you can go into the coming week renewed by fellowship.
The part of the covenant Christians are not under is the "judgments" part of this text. For one, the Law has been fulfilled in Christ, and two, the "judgments" in this context were between God and Israel at that time. Again, to clarify - this does not mean we can ignore the 10 Commandments. Matthew 19:16-17. 16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
I for one am not going to be arguing with Jesus.
The application here would be to walk in Christ daily, but do not disregard the Sabbath and embrace your Father in heaven's instructions to keep the day Holy.
What are your thoughts? Thanks for reading and God bless all of you.
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