The Sabbath

Texts: Ex 35:1 - 5

Preface:

         Often there are to many events, within a torah portion that I can possibly commit on. I mention this fact, because upon sending out last week’s portion, I thought of the following event.

        When Moses came down Mount Sinai with the second tablets, unbeknown to Moses, his skin shone, or reflected light. When Aaron and all of the people, witnessed Moses’ face shining, they were afraid. to come near him. Ex 34:29 - 30

        That said, the following Hebrew word for shone "quaaran," imply "to reflect or radiate light." I alluded to fact, because after having an encounter with the Lord, {Ex 33:11} the body of Moses radiated light. In turn upon witnessing Moses’ face, which was not covered, the people were afraid.

        We can assume from reading the text that Moses calmed their fears, by calling out to them. In turn Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them.

        Upon calming their fears, all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. Ex 34:32

        So, upon calming the people’s fears, Moses preceded to teach the people, the Lord’s commandments. In turn Moses was a torah teacher.

         Bearing in mind Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. {John 5:46 } The people’s fearful reaction, reminded me of the disciples reactions, upon witnessing Yeshua, walking on the water.

        For you will recall, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Yeshua walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. { John 6:19 } Though, upon witnessing their fears, Yeshua like Moses calmed their fears by saying, "it is I; do not be afraid."

          Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. John 6:20 - 21

         Returning to last week’s torah portion, after Moses had taught the people, the Lord’s commandments, being aware of his glowing face and the people’s fears. He placed a veil on his face. Ex 34:30

           Bearing in mind that Moses foreshadow Yeshua. Moses placed a veil over his face, in order to prevent the people from witnessing, the reflected "light" of his face. Why is this significant? Well Yeshua said, "I am the light of the world." John 8:12

         Have you ever wondered why, the Orthodox Jews have a working knowledge of the torah, and the prophets yet, can not see the Messiah’s identity?

       Well Paul stated, when the torah and the prophets are read,{Old Testament} the veil that Moses placed over his face, is over the torah and the prophets. In turn "their minds were blinded. For until this day the remains un lifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart."  2 Cor 3:14-15

          So, the reason why, the Orthodox Jews have a working knowledge of the torah and the prophets yet, they can’t see the Messiah’s identity? Is because the veil that covered Moses’ face, covers their hearts. Though, I think, the veil that covered Moses’ face, covers Christians’ hearts, in the importance of keeping the Lord’s commandments. Because Yeshua expressly said, "if you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15

         If Moses wrote of Yeshua, then what event in Yeshua’s life, is associated with this event? Well upon taking Peter, James and John into the mountain of transfiguration. Amazingly Yeshua became transfigured, before their very eyes.

       Remember how Moses’ face reflected light, upon returning from an encounter with the Lord. Well, the following Greek word for shone "lampo," means "to radiate light." I mention this fact, because likewise upon being transfigured, Yeshua’s face "radiated light" as bright as the sun.

          He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Matt 17:2

         In light of this isn’t interesting Yeshua stated, "I am the light of the world . He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

        Meanwhile Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared with Yeshua, as well. {Matt 17:3 } Though, remember how the people became fearful, upon witnessing the face of Moses. Well instead of becoming fearful Peter, upon witnessing this event said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Matt 17:4

         With that said, remember the purpose in building the tabernacle, was for the Lord to dwell in the midst of the people. {Ex 25:8} This is significant, because upon witnessing Moses and Elijah in their heavenly bodies, fearing they would depart as suddenly as they appeared. Peter suggested, they build, Moses and Elijah each a tabernacle, in order for Moses and Elijah to dwell in their midst.

          Though while Peter was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" { Matt 17:5 }

          Now we all know, the voice that Peter, James and John heard, was the voice of the Lord’s. However if I was to ask you, on what basically do we know this, could you answer?

         Remember the Jewish teaching which states, "as it was with the fathers so, shall it be with the sons," for example. Remember when the glory of the Lord appeared, on the top of Mount Sinai. The Lord appeared in a cloud. {Ex 24:6}

        This is significant, because when Peter, James and John heard the voice of the Lord’s. They witnessed a cloud, which implies the Lord voice, came from the cloud.

       The name of each week’s torah portion, is found in the opening verse. That said, the name for this week’s torah portion "Vayak’hel," is translated "to gather, or assemble."

          I alluded to this fact, because Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them,"These are the words which the LORD has commanded you to do.  Ex 35:1

          Whenever an assembly was called, it was called for an important purpose. So, why did Moses call an assembly? Well Moses said, "work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day." Ex 35:2-3

          Remember the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, was included in the Ten Commandments. However the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, goes as far back as the creation. When God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, {made it holy} because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Gen 2:3

          Thus according to the sages, it was on a Sabbath that Moses called this assembly, and instructed them to keep the Sabbath holy, which is found throughout the torah. In turn Moses taught the people from G-d’s word, from the torah on the Sabbath.

        That said, the Sabbath was and is the crown of creation. Because on the seventh day, Yahweh {the Lord} completed creation, then rested from work.

          Thus, I’m remindful that fame evangelist Dwight L Moody stated, "the Sabbath was binding in Eden, and it has been in force ever since. This fourth commandment begins with the word 'remember,' showing that the Sabbath already existed when G-d wrote the law on the tables of stone at Sinai. How can men {the Church} claim that this one commandment has been done away with, when they will admit that the other nine are still binding?" Good question, in turn lets explore this question further.

Which day is the Sabbath: Well G-d’s word states, "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates." Ex 20:10

         Clearly the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, when the Lord rested from His labor. For the Lord stated, "for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." Ex 20:11

          Even in the B’rit Hadashah, {the New Testament} the Sabbath was recognized, on the seventh day of the week, for example. Following Yeshua’s death on the Cross. When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. Mark 16:1-2

        With that said, a good torah teacher will point out the fact that when the Lord repeat something in the scripture. You should pay, close attention to what is being said. I mention this fact, because throughout the scriptures, the Lord instructed the people and that includes us, to keep the Sabbath holy. Could it be that the Lord knew, man would change the Sabbath to Sunday?

            For G-d’s word expressly state, "you shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." { Deut 4:2 } On this note Solomon stated, "do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." Prov 30:6

          I alluded to these passages, because the Church can’t have it both ways. What do I mean, you ask? Well, while the Church claims the Ten Commandments are binding, they have omitted the Sabbath day, in favor of Sunday.

         What would Paul do: Following Yeshua’s death, Paul observed the Sabbath. {Acts 13:14 , 16:13, 17:2, 18:4} So, if the Church chose Sunday as a day of worship, in honor of Yeshua, being resurrected on the first day of the week. Then Paul failed to get the memo!

        Though I have heard several preachers state, the Church chose Sunday as a day of worship, in honor of Jesus, resurrection on the first day of the week. Although I challenge anyone to show me from the scripture, where the Lord authorized changing the Sabbath to a Sunday! It’s just isn’t there!

          I find it almost laughable that whenever someone successfully though, foolishly opposes the Ten Commandments, from being posted in public, the Church goes bonkers. Why?

         Note the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, is imbedded within the Ten Commandments itself. Thus the Church, in not observing the Sabbath, is aligning itself with the individual, who is opposing to the Ten Commandments, on the basic that the Ten Commandments, are no longing relative today and shouldn’t be posted.

           With that said, about ten years ago within the Christian community, the following question started circulation, "what would Jesus do?" In light of this question, "just what would Yeshua {Jesus} do," would He observe the Sabbath, or would He ignore the commandment to observe the Sabbath, in favor of Sunday? Lets allow Yeshua to answer this question Himself.

        Yeshua said, "I have kept my Father’s commandments, {John 15:10 } which included observing the Sabbath and keeping it holy, case in point. Yeshua came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. {Luke 4:16}

             That said, the Lord informed Moses, "I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him." {Deut 18:18 } Why is this significant?

          Remember how the sages stated, that in delivering the instruction, to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. {Ex 35:1} Moses taught on the Sabbath? Why is this noteworthy?

         Well like Moses, it was Yeshua’s custom to go to the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and teach. {Mark 1:21 } Why Yeshua even alluded to Himself, "as the Lord of the Sabbath." Luke 6:5

          In light of these facts, "what would Yeshua {Jesus} do?" Well, clearly Yeshua would observe the Sabbath and keep it holy.

          Again no where in the scriptures does it state, the Lord changed the Sabbath to Sunday. So, when and who changed the Sabbath, from Saturday to Sunday?

        It is the same Church, "the Catholic Church" that teaches the false doctrine of Purgatory, who changed the Sabbath to a Sunday. Why they freely admit it, for example, Martin J Scott in the publication, "Things Catholics Are Asked About" wrote.

         "Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that worship should be changed from Saturday to Sunday. However the Church instituted, by God's authority, authorized Sunday as the day of worship. The Church by the same divine authority, taught the doctrine of Purgatory long before the Bible was made. We have therefore, the same authority for Purgatory as we have for Sunday."

        Briefly "the Catholic Church," authorized Sunday as the day of worship, based on the fact, the Catholic Church, intuited the false doctrine of Purgatory. What a joke!

         That said, for all of those Protestants preachers, who stand in the pulpit and rightly state, the bible is G-d’s given word. Yet they ignore the Lord’s commandment to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. Why it’s nullify everything they say.

          Moving on, after Moses had relayed to the people, the Lord’s commandment, to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. Moses instructed the people saying. This is the thing which the LORD commanded saying, "take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD." Ex 35:4-5

           In light of this, the Hebrew word for offering is "terumah." That said, Moses didn’t specify the size of the terumah, or offering. He just stated, "whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD."

        Hence I’m remindful, Yeshua was sitting opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites. Mark 12:41-42

        Witnessing this event, Yeshua then turned to His’ disciples and said, "truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all, for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had." Luke 21:3-4

        A mite was 1/8 of a cent. I mention this fact, because what’s caught the disciples’ attention, was the minute offering of the widower, compare to the rich individuals.

        Though, what’s caught Yeshua’s attention, was the widower gave all that she had, from a willing heart. However the rich individuals, gave a small amount of their fortune. What can we gleam from this?

        It’s not the size of our offering that impresses the Lord. What impress the Lord, was our offering, made out of a willing heart, with no strings attach.

         In closing, when I write a weekly lesson, the only set criteria that I have in mind, is being true to G-d’s word. I can do so, because unlike several pastors, I don’t abandon sound doctrine in order to "preach to inching ears," {2 Tim 4:2 } fearing that I my lose my income. So I have offended any of you, in alluding to how the Church, has changed the Sabbath to Sunday. Then I challenge you to show me in the scriptures, where the Lord repel His commandment, and changed the Sabbath to Sunday.

          May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26