The Importance of the Shabbat (Sabbath)
(cont.)
by Dave R. Mode, Jr.

The word “made” that is used is the phrase “made for man” is translated from the Greek word “ginomai”. Ginomai means to generate, to cause to be, to come into being or to create. Yeshua (Jesus) reveals that the Shabbat came into being for the benefit of humankind. In other words, God created the Shabbat as a blessing for humankind. Please note that Messiah did not say that the Shabbat was made for
Israelites. When God created the Shabbat, there were no Israelites. There was only humankind. The statement of Yeshua (Jesus) reveals that God’s initial intent is for all humankind to keep his Shabbat. This is also confirmed by the fact of the Shabbat being observed before the giving of the commandments on Mount Sinai. An example of this found in Exodus 16:22-26 when Moses told the congregation to observe the seventh day as YHVH’s Shabbat.

“And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remained over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none” (Exodus 16:22-26).

Shabbat was included as a Commandment of the 1st Covenant

The Shabbat was given as a command within the framework of the first covenant made at Mount Sinai between YHVH and the congregation of Israel.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God…” (Exodus 20:8-10).

Since the Shabbat had been established as part of God’s creative order, the congregation was told to remember this instruction concerning keeping the Shabbat. Please note that in Exodus 16:22-26 the instruction to keep the Shabbat had already been introduced to the congregation of God before the enacting of the first covenant. 

Shabbat was ordained as one of the Feasts (Appointed Times) of YHVH

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings” (Leviticus 23:1-3).

(cont. page 3)

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