Shabbat - Heart of Wisdom

Robert S. Somerville has writtenthis challenging and thoughtprovokingnew book that underscoresimportant truths relating tothe Hebraic foundations of the Christianfaith.By chronicling each of the agreementsthat God has made with hispeople, Somerville establishes an unbrokenchain of convenantal relationshipthat has been the hallmarkof God’s dealing with humanity.$15P.O. Box 364, Huntsville, AL 35804Phone: (256) 776-2732Christians areconnected to andgrafted into the ancientredemptive covenantsGod gave to Israel.ion over yourenvironment.The word maybe related tomelekh (meaningking). Thequintessentialexample ofmelachah is thework of creatingthe universe,whichGod ceasedfrom on the seventhday after hecreated the heavens and the earth. Note that God’swork did not require a great physical effort: hespoke, and it was done. Therefore, melachah wouldbe better translated as “creative efforts.”The only other repeated use of the rare wordmelachah the Bible is in the discussion of the buildingof the sanctuary (Exodus 31, 35-38). “Say tothe Israelites, ‘You must observe My Sabbaths.This will be a sign between Me and you for thegenerations to come, so you may know that I amthe Lord, who makes you holy’” (Exodus 31:13).From this, the rabbis concluded that the workprohibited on Shabbat is the same as the work ofcreating the sanctuary. In Hebrew, these 39 categoriesare called the Lamed Tet (39) Melakhot.During the biblical period, the Shabbat was soimportant that public desecration of the Shabbatwas punishable by death (Numbers 15:32-36). Thebreaking of the Shabbat was held by the rabbis tobe a sin equal to idolatry; however, all Shabbatrestrictions can be violated, if necessary, to save alife. This is why Jesus challenged the Pharisees whenhe healed someone on the Shabbat (Matthew 12:9-13).Zachor and Shamor: To remember and toobserve. These are two distinct concepts, andwhen fused together, they represent the full understandingof the Shabbat. “To remember” denotesa longing for the Shabbat, which is why it isa custom to view each day of the week as a preludeto the joy of the coming Shabbat, with anunwillingness to let go of the previous Shabbat.“To observe” is to keepthe law, without whichthere is no Shabbat day.CHRISTIANSRECLAIMINGSHABBATreceive blessings from the Lord for doing so. Theblessings of the Shabbat rest we are invited to takeare related to “restoring one’s soul.” On Shabbat,we should not think of it as a day of freedom fromwork, but rather a God-given gift of freedom toenter God’s restoring rest, to be with family andwith God. Shabbat is not a vacation from work, butan invocation of God’s tranquility, peace, and quiet.Who wouldn’t want to enjoy this blessing?You cannot spend day after day in the worldwithout its affecting your mind and will and heart.It doesn’t take long to become disoriented to theways of God. The world has a dulling effect onyour spiritual sensibilities. God established theShabbat so his people could take an entire day torefocus on him and his will for them after spendingsix days in the world.In Orthodox Judaism, God is worshipped everyday. Likewise, Christians are free to worshipthe Lord on any and every day. Therefore, if youchoose to observe Shabbat with your family andattend church on Sunday, then you will receive agreater blessing from the Lord. Sunday is not areplacement for Shabbat, but historically is an additionaltime of worship for Christians.Shabbat is a gift of the Lord, a day of rest andrestoration. Remember what he said to Israel?When they rejected his gift, he told them, “Youhave despised My holy things and desecrated mySabbaths” (Ezekiel 22:8). God delights in theShabbat that was ordained before the Law andwill continue into the future. Who are we to dispensewith God’s gift?If we Christians understand the New Testamentproperly, we will see that through MessiahYeshua (Jesus Christ), we are connected to (Ephesians2:11-13) and grafted into (Romans 11:13-25) the ancient redemptive covenants God gaveto Israel. We become “adopted” sons of Abrahamand partakers of the promises of God (Galatians3:7). We are made a part of God’s eternalplan to redeem mankind. When we keep the Feastsof the Lord, we join the Jewish people to rememberand celebrate the miracles and enjoy theblessings God gave to his people. There is noreason for Christians not to enjoy these biblicalfeasts, as did the early church.Clarence Wagner is CEO of GenesisStrategic Solutions International,an organization that bringsChristian investment in Israelbusiness and industry. Havinglived in Israel for over thirty years,he brings focused understandingof news and insights into Israelwhile also teaching biblical insightsof Christian faith from Hebraicperspectives. Clarencedivides his time between Israeland the United States while travelingand teaching internationally.If Christians are partof spiritual Israel, then wecan participate in the preceptsgiven to Israel and34 RESTORE!