And Keep MY Shabbats Holy...
It’s Friday!!! Shabbat has actually come to our house and we are watching Horton Hears a Who as a family. Some people would say that I should not be typing this now, because Shabbat has already started. Some people would say we shouldn’t be watching a movie! I don’t want to go into all the details of Shabbat and laws because that is not what Shabbat is about. Hopefully I can explain in a short detailed way.
The verse I chose for today is from Ezekiel 20:19-20:
I am Adonai your God; live by my laws, observe my rulings, and obey them, and keep my shabbats holy; and they will be a sign between me and you, so that you will know that I am Adonai your God.” (CJB)
Some people might be a little overwhelmed reading this verse because it says “live by my laws,” “observe my rulings,” and “obey them.” It seems quite daunting to some degree. However, we all know that without laws, the universe would have chaos.
Lots of people hold to the understanding that we are no longer under “the law.” That when Jesus came he abolished them. This blog is not really the time, nor place, to discuss details about when is Shabbat and how it should be celebrated. One thing to remember, Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but FULFILL it. Something to ponder on.
There are people who try to say that this “Shabbat” was only for the Hebrew Jewish people.
My response to that is, why is it mentioned in Genesis Chapter 1 when God created the earth? God established this from the beginning of time. God engrained Shabbat as part of the universe.
What I want you to think about, and focus on, is the words, “Keep my Shabbats holy.” What does this mean?
I used the word “CELEBRATE” above. Our family chooses to “celebrate” this holy day. Shabbat is one of the 10 Commandments. Shabbat is something to celebrate, not just “do.”
When Adonai, God, established this day, He meant for it to be a time to spend resting and with HIM. The verse above says it “will be a sign between me and you.” This meant a covenant. A time set apart. He wanted the people to spend time with HIM.
HE RESTED! That means we need REST as well. We are created in HIS image, so if HE needs rest, so do we!
Like I mentioned in my FB live video, so many people get caught up in what you “should or should not do.” That is not what God intended, and Jesus made this clear also.
Shabbat needs to be celebrated. Dinner as a family, blessings and thankfulness to God, communion together, and then - what does the Spirit require of you?
Is it a game together? Is it reading together? Watching a movie? Bake together? Visit someone and bring them joy? There are sooo many options!
Shabbat should be about LIFE. When we rest, we bring LIFE to our bodies.
Too many people in the world today do not rest. Too many people are constantly on the go.
I challenge you to find a time, place and way to rest each week. It truly will do your body a lot of good. If you spend it with HIM, you might be surprised what HE will tell you!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rose
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