The fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…” (Exodus 20:8). It is not about work or no work. It is about having a time of holiness. When daily activities and busyness preoccupy and crowd the mind, it is difficult to enter into a rest that honours the absolute holiness of God. In other words, the Sabbath was created to still the busyness of man so that he could contemplate the holiness of God and enjoy his presence.
In the Old Testament, life revolved around work. On the Sabbath, work is strictly forbidden, even for the kindling of fires (Exodus 35:3); no buying or selling of merchandise or grain (Nehemiah 10:31); not even to carry a load (Jeremiah 17:21). Basically it meant all kinds of routine domestic or commercial work, hobbies and business engagements should cease for the day so that one could rest and worship God.
It is notable that some eminent persons also revered the keeping of Sabbath. Eric Liddell the renowned Scottish sprinter, refused to run a race he was favoured to win on a Sunday in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. The Wright brothers made the historic first flight on a Monday as they would not fly on the Sunday even though the weather was ideal. In Singapore, up to 2 decades ago, the owner of Tangs at Orchard Road did not allow its retail store to open for business on Sundays. It was quite a bold stand to be closed on a day when a large number of people would be out and it would bring in the highest volume of sales. The owner Mr. C.K. Tang was a staunch Christian. He chose to honour the God of the Sabbath rather than the god of consumerism, though now, the present management has decided to do business like everyone else.
In the New Testament, Jesus clarified the true meaning of Sabbath and his authority as Lord of the Sabbath. His disciples and he were accused of breaking the law and were denounced by the Pharisees – his disciples for picking and eating the grains from the fields, and Jesus for healing a man with a shrivelled hand. Both these acts were done on a Sabbath. Jesus explained that the overriding principles of mercy and love towards humankind trumped legalistic observance of the Sabbath. Underpinning this is the fundamental truth of Jesus’ lordship and authority as both king and priest. King David had entered the temple and with his men ate the consecrated bread of the Presence. Jesus is greater than King David.
In observing the Sabbath, our hearts and minds are to recognise it as a time of holiness in the presence of Jesus. It is not merely a time of rest. “This will be a sign between me and you … so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy” (Exodus 31:13).
