The Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath
The fourth commandment is a reminder to keep the Sabbath holy: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:8-10a). The Sabbath is a day of rest, worship, and reflection that is set apart from the rest of the week. But what does it mean to keep the Sabbath holy? And how can we apply this commandment in our daily lives?
Honoring the Sabbath
Honoring the Sabbath involves setting aside time for rest, worship, and reflection. It involves disconnecting from our daily routines and focusing on our relationship with God. The Sabbath is a time to renew our physical, emotional, and spiritual energies, and to draw closer to God in prayer and worship.
In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the importance of the Sabbath when He says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). This means that the Sabbath is a gift from God to help us rest and recharge and to deepen our relationship with Him.
Keeping the Sabbath Holy
Keeping the Sabbath holy requires intentional planning and preparation. We must prioritize our Sabbath rest and make time for worship and reflection. We should also avoid engaging in activities that are work-related or that distract us from our Sabbath focus.
The Bible also reminds us that the Sabbath is a day of joy and celebration. Isaiah 58:13-14 says, “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord.”
Conclusion
The fourth commandment reminds us of the importance of honoring the Sabbath and keeping it holy. Let us prioritize our Sabbath rest and make time for worship and reflection. Let us also celebrate the joy and blessings of the Sabbath as we draw closer to God and renew our physical, emotional, and spiritual energies. May our observance of the Sabbath be a reflection of our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all that we do.