The Commandment to observe a day of rest is universally known. Yet, not as well known as the Commandment on days to work.
In America, the land of luxury, the work days are all over the map. Some people work paid jobs of as little as ten days a month – and average of 2.5 days a week – because they work an entire 24 hour period on those days they work. Others work 4, 5, or 6 days a week. However, most do not work all seven days of the week at paid jobs, and have at least one day off for rest.
Number Five of the Ten Words reads, “Six days shall you work and the seventh day you shall desist, in plowing and in harvesting you shall desist” Exodus 34:21. See, everybody is to work six days every week. Several Scriptures (Exodus 23:12, 31:12-17, 34:2-3) repeat this command, including the Sixth Commandment in Exodus 20:9-10 and Deuteronomy 5:13-14.
Six days we shall labor. Labor here is not just your paid job, but also includes any type of “work” you should not perform on the Shabbath. This means you can have a 3-day-a-week job, but use the other 3 days to do necessary family, home, or play activities (such as gym workouts) you could not perform on Shabbath. Most of us have to at least work 5 days at a job, leaving only one day for extra work.
Commandment Five (traditionally Number 4) tells us to “Remember <Guard>¹ the Shabbath day to sanctify it” Exodus 20:8 and Deuteronomy 5:12. This is the Commandment universally known. When asked how do you observe this day, most reply by going to worship and not working. The Christians do this by going to church on Sunday and calling it the Lord’s Day. Oops, this is not the Shabbath, YaHVaH’s Day. Technically, there is nothing wrong with worshipping YaHVaH on Sunday, nor is it wrong to assemble/congregate on Sunday. The disciples did so in the New Testament, Acts 20:7-11. In fact, there isn’t even a command to assemble and worship YaHVaH only on the Shabbath. Scriptures, scholars, and numerous publications specifically tell us to worship YaHVaH every day in praise, prayer, and song; morning, noon, and night. Therefore, worship cannot be the meaning of this Commandment.
Part of the meaning of Commandment Five is for us to remember that YaHVaH blessed it, sanctified it, and set it apart. Remember intones us to not forget; whereas, in Deuteronomy we are told to Guard the Shabbath. Guarding implies protection from others, but it also instills a view of placing it in a well-reserved place, our heart. The Shabbath should be on our hearts to keep it holy in honor of YaHVaH, our Heavenly Father. On this day, we sit back and let His creation be His creation.
What of work then? Yes, not working is the other part, but is actually in Commandment Six as mentioned above. This is a commandment most people politely ignore or they combine only part of it with Commandment Five. They do because it reads, “Six days shall you labor and accomplish all your work. And the seventh day is Shabbath to YaHVaH, your Elohiym, you shall not do any work, you and your son, and your daughter, and your servant/slave, and your maid, and your ox, and your donkey, and all your animals, and your convert who is in your gates, <so that may rest your servant/slave and your maid like you>¹” Exodus 20:9-10 and Deuteronomy 5:13-14. Exodus 20:11 continues, “for in six days YaHVaH made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, YaHVaH blessed the Shabbath day and sanctified it.” People do not want to be told they HAVE TO WORK 6 DAYS.
Perform all of your work in six days, from Sunday to Friday, and rest on the Shabbath as commanded by YaHVaH. Remember and Guard this day of rest to keep it holy, set apart, and let His creation be. Keep it in your heart because it is blessed and sanctified by our Creator.
<words>¹ = only found in Deuteronomy 5.
Return to Table of Contents
Or continue on to Number 6
