Is The Sabbath Still Relevant Today ?

[unsafe]

The Sabbath was put in place by God the Father ----It was given to Israel as a Covenant Sign of Creation -----there were 3 symbolic Covenant Signs ----Sabbath --Rainbow and Circumcision ---

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/three-biblical-signs-of-covenant/
Three Biblical Signs of Covenant
Shabbat, the rainbow after the flood, and brit milah are three covenantal "signs" which God provides.
BY SHARON STRASSFELD


unsafe says
There is much debate today as to whether the Sabbath is valid today -----

Question
Was the Sabbath a Moral law as well as being symbolic ?

I say ------Many believe the Sabbath was done away with when Jesus was crucified ---and use scripture to back this up -----

Posting Scripture

read the chapter here ---I quoted Just these verses
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2&version=EXB
Colossians 2 (EXB)
Don’t Follow People’s Rules

16 So do not let anyone ·make rules for [or criticize; judge; or condemn] you about eating and drinking or about a religious ·feast [festival], a New Moon Festival [2 Kin. 4:23; Neh. 10:33], or a Sabbath day [C religious observances that false teachers pressured the Colossians to keep].

17 These things ·were like [L are] a shadow of what was to come. But ·what is true and real has come and is found in Christ [or the reality/substance belongs to Christ; L the body (is) of Christ].

18 Do not let anyone disqualify you by ·insisting on [or delighting in] self-denial [asceticism; or false humility] and worship of angels. Such people ·enter into [or talk endlessly about; or pin their hopes on] visions, which ·fill them [puff them up] with ·foolish pride [or empty notions] because of their ·human way of thinking [unspiritual/worldly/carnal minds; L mind of the flesh].

19 They ·do not hold tightly [or have no connection] to the head [C Christ]. It is from him that all the parts of the body are ·cared for [supported] and held together through its joints and ligaments. So it grows in the way God ·wants [or causes] it to grow.

Question
What are your views on your understanding of the Sabbath after the Cross ?------


I say ------For me the Sabbath is symbolic and my rest comes by believing ---trusting in and relying on the Living Word ---which for me is Jesus Christ ---Resting in Christ and what He accomplished on the Cross is my Sabbath ------

 

[Mendalla]

The basic idea of setting aside to honour God, or at least break from the world and pay heed to "higher" things (God, the universe, our relationships, whatever), seems pretty sound to me, regardless of your beliefs.The concept of a weekly "day off" does seem to be mainly a thing in the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam to a lesser degree). Other traditions tend more towards festivals tied to lunar and solar cycles and that sort of thing.

I don't really keep a Sabbath myself, but certainly did to some degree in my Christian days. It might not be a bad idea, really, but it would be a personal choice, not a requirement of any faith I hold.

I am curious as to whether the objection here is to Sabbath as a concept or just to keeping Sabbath being a "law" or requirement of faith. As I say, I think the basic idea seems sound regardless of beliefs, but I do think it should be a personal thing, not an enforced requirement (e.g. I supported the end of Sunday as an enforced retail holiday).

Footnote: I say "Islam to a lesser degree" because while communal prayer on Fridays is a part of their faith, they do not take Friday as a "Sabbath" per se, just take time at midday to attend communal prayer at a mosque instead of doing it individually.

 

[Lastpointe]

Sabbath as a day of reflection and prayer , I suspect has mostly disappeared. While church or mosque or synagogue attendance for service is likely still pretty common in some groups, the idea of an entire day devoted to prayer and reflection seems done

As a child, we attended church, home for lunch. Perhaps a Sunday afternoon drive. Big dinner. No tv. No games, no cards, no movies....... but even by my teen years that had changed to allow tv on Sunday afternoon. Golf of course

But I know many Jewish families that still have strict family attendance at Friday dinner, certainly Friday prayers is common, Sunday church service. I just think it has become a period of touchstone and then on to life

All my working life I worked shift work and sundays , so it was no big deal to me when we got Sunday shopping. And eventually Sunday became ski day or hike day depending on the season

This past summer I was in Istanbul and by chance was at the Haja Sophia and the Blue Mosque on Friday. Tens of Thousands of people. More than I think I have ever seen in one space, granted a very large space. And more armed security, police, army, militia.... than I have ever seen outside of the news or a movie. Actually a bit scary

Returned to the square a few days later, quiet, no police, fewer people. So it was obviously a Friday thing

I do think society lost something peaceful with our 24/7 society. But where our cottage is, many small businesses close on Monday to still give staff that day of quiet

 

[Mendalla]

This past summer I was in Istanbul and by chance was at the Haja Sophia and the Blue Mosque on Friday. Tens of Thousands of people. More than I think I have ever seen in one space, granted a very large space. And more armed security, police, army, militia.... than I have ever seen outside of the news or a movie. Actually a bit scary

Not quite the same, but my doctor's office is near London Mosque, which is a fairly large one with an attached private school. I sometimes pass by the mosque on Fridays and the pedestrian traffic is sometimes very heavy (they don't have much onsite parking so people park nearby and walk).

 

[Mendalla]

In my youth, Sunday wasn't too strict but definitely different from other days. We all went to church and wore "Sunday best" so getting ready for and going to church ate up a lot of the morning, esp. with Dad often being involved in stuff. Afternoons, though, we hung with friends or watched TV. Dinner was usually the most elaborate of the week.

Being married to someone from a culture where Sunday is not a big deal, that has all largely fallen by the wayside. Even church is mostly a matter of putting on my business casual instead of my laidback weekend attire and heading out to the car. We often cook a bigger meal on Sunday, but that's mostly so we have leftovers during the week.

 

[Northwind]

This is a good question. I've wondered about this myself. We had friends who were Seventh Day Adventists. They observed sabbath strictly. No work. Enjoy time with family. Go to church. I think it's a cool thing. I've often wondered if I could follow that. I'm not sure I could.

 

[chansen]

I worked with an Adventist. He would refuse to work after sunset on Friday. In the winter, that can mean early end to the work day, which frustrated our boss quite a lot.

 

[dreamerman]

I remember working at Woolworth's Department Store 30 years ago when the Ontario government allowed department stores to open on Sundays. I was not to pleased about the idea of working on a Sunday at the time. I still like the idea of not working on a Sunday or having one day of rest. Even though it has nothing to do with religion for me.

 

[dreamerman]

This is a good question. I've wondered about this myself. We had friends who were Seventh Day Adventists. They observed sabbath strictly. No work. Enjoy time with family. Go to church. I think it's a cool thing. I've often wondered if I could follow that. I'm not sure I could.

I went to a Seventh Day Adventist Church a few times about 25 years ago. I found they shared quite a few similar views as Jehovah Witnesses. One thing I found interesting was the idea that the Arch Angel Micheal was actually Jesus Christ or something like that iirc.

 

[Northwind]

I worked with an Adventist. He would refuse to work after sunset on Friday. In the winter, that can mean early end to the work day, which frustrated our boss quite a lot.

This Adventist was the boss. The store closed early on Fridays in the winter. Staff liked that.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

My ex's parents are Adventists. It's one of the few denominations other than Orthodox and Catholic in that area - Adventist missionaries put themselves in harms way and were really helpful to all during the war, so that was remembered by a lot of people who were there in the 90s, and respected.

His parents are not the most devout. When they visited Canada they broke all the dietary, alcohol and smoking rules (and had a good time), but they are educated people - and my ex thinks a big reason they joined was because his dad had a stroke about 15+ years ago - there were no non religious community support groups for changing lifestyle there that they knew of. This was the closest. His mom wanted to find help and support. But when his dad wanted me to read their somewhat "sacred" book by founder Ellen White, that was a bit much. They tried to educate me about why going to church on Saturday was proper and everyone else was wrong. I disagreed very politely or just didn't say anything.

I think the calendars we use were devised by humans to keep track of time. I think humans determined it was a good idea to have a day off once a week, and they had been toiling too hard for so long, they felt it was a God ordained idea, that they should be thankful for. I doubt God cares which day it is.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Also, in smaller communities, everybody keeping their day of rest the same and consistent then, might've been helpful for organization and cohesion. Now...things are different.

 

[Luce NDs]

God ... being all inclusive and eternal ... may be timeless and thus work better at night when the body rests!

Could account for trance states and all ... then given the number of real people that despise dreams, myths and all such metaphors as cursed word ... that concept is out there! Dear departed ... we done lost it!

Might that appear as an immanent conception?

Is that my immanence or ... your immanence? OOOO can you imagine the Eris and dissonance that would stir up in those that believe they form the edifice of the institution? Dante's Masque ... that would crank some into a whirlwind of chaos ... picture it Trumpt'd!

Emotional-intelligence is something that few read into with the deeps imposed ... they just find it complex to a conflicting degree of challenge!

Is a fallen star a demon or a bright spot in the dark sol of humanity? Some sage called the star a loose light ... and it may prove to be all about us (metaphorically a myth)?

Sunday morning we should come down off our horse ... hoers? The storm was rhode doubt! Hang on ...

 

[Waterfall]

Every day is Holy IMO, the Sabbath serves as a reminder to start every week with God.

 

[unsafe]

The way the world is today in the quest of Greed and power the Sabbath has taken a back seat in my view ----families are busy every day of the week either working on the Sabbath or taking their children to the sports events on the Sabbath -----not many families today in my opinion take a full day to rest from their work and really reflect on what God meant the Sabbath to be all about -----

The Stress levels in the world today are very high and people are reaping what they sow in their lives ------We may think we can handle the stress and demand that this world dishes out but our bodies and minds will tell us different ------

God gave us the Sabbath not only to rest from our work but to understand that we need spiritual discipline and renewal to regain spiritual strength through relying on God's grace -----

I found this article ---I am only posting one part of it as this struck me as to just how busy life has become for God's creation --trying to work everything in --in 6 days to have a rest day --------- you can read all here if interested -----

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-the-sabbath-and-is-it-still-important-today.html

Can we sabotage the Sabbath?
A friend shocked me once when she exclaimed, “I hate Sundays!” But I could secretly relate. Just getting the kids dressed to corral them into the car, in order to then chase them around church and sit in the cry room during the sermon was hard enough. Then I’d stuff my Sunday with errands and house chores as I mentioned earlier.

God set a healthy rhythm of work and rest for us at creation, yet maybe we sabotage the Sabbath rest God intended by trying to cram too many things into our weekends.

Going to church can be hard for young families, but it’s an important way to honor God and pass our faith on to our kids. What if we simplified Sunday by making church our first priority and letting go of the rest? Sometimes a few simple changes to how we approach our tasks during the week can free up more time on Sunday to rest or enjoy our families. Consider these ideas:

• Run errands on your way home from work during the week instead of on the weekend.
• Spend 15 minutes a day cleaning and maintaining your home, so you can rest more on Sunday.
• Break down large tasks, like cleaning out the garage, into 4 or 5 mini-tasks that can be done during the week.
• Plan your work week on Friday afternoon instead of on Sunday evening.
• Rest from cooking on Sunday. Restaurants, fast food drive-thrus, and even grocery store takeout or frozen food can help you.

When we set aside Sundays for rest and worship, we follow the healthy rhythm God established for us, and we can start a new week on Monday refreshed instead of exhausted. If your job requires you to work on Sunday, ask the Lord for creativity and discipline to set aside another Sabbath time during your week. Whether our Sabbath is Sunday or another day, we can trust God to bless our time of rest and make us effective when we return work.

 

[Luce NDs]

One needs respite ... that is like a break or a rift in the system of working for the profit of the lords of the Dei!

Thus we give it up and knuckle under as the gods work us to death in a vast number of cases! Death is the Great Escape as a theme in many myths if you are alert tuit as a round about item to demonstrate bam-a-ram ... often illustrated by ... Φ ... phi this way ...

One urban definition describes it a a big poke at serious concepts ... like Bete Noire! The vast unknown ... be cognizant of it afore ye!

It may leave many dedicated to surety becoming insanely insecure! There are tyrants that do not wish to hear of such concepts ...

 

[Northwind]

I like that @unsafe I retired partly because I was tired of feeling exhausted all the time. When we keep going and going on the treadmill of life we are not doing anyone any favours

Greed and the cult of busy-ness is toxic.

I understand that my grandparents grew up in homes where you did NOTHING on Sundays except church and time with family. They did things like polishing shows and getting ready for church on Saturday. It's something I wonder about sometimes. It would take considerably discipline to do this these days. I think setting aside one day of rest (at least) per week is even more necessary.

 

[Seeler]

What if we simplified Sunday by making church our first priority and letting go of the rest? Sometimes a few simple changes to how we approach our tasks during the week can free up more time on Sunday to rest or enjoy our families. Consider these ideas:

• Run errands on your way home from work during the week instead of on the weekend.
• Spend 15 minutes a day cleaning and maintaining your home, so you can rest more on Sunday.
• Break down large tasks, like cleaning out the garage, into 4 or 5 mini-tasks that can be done during the week.
• Plan your work week on Friday afternoon instead of on Sunday evening.
• Rest from cooking on Sunday. Restaurants, fast food drive-thrus, and even grocery store takeout or frozen food can help you.

When we set aside Sundays for rest and worship, we follow the healthy rhythm God established for us, and we can start a new week on Monday refreshed instead of exhausted. If your job requires you to work on Sunday, ask the Lord for creativity and discipline to set aside another Sabbath time during your week. Whether our Sabbath is Sunday or another day, we can trust God to bless our time of rest and make us effective when we return work.

Unsafe, I read through the entire article and found that I agreed with most of it. From the beginning I've been opposed to Sunday shopping and treating Sunday as just another workday in the commercial world. I think just society in general benefits from a diet day of rest, recreation, and, renewal.

Even the suggestions for making this a peaceful and worry free are mostly good; except for the last one. Employees in restaurants, fast food places, grocery stores and malls also need a day of rest. When we who are able, take the day off to refrain from work, go shopping or eat out we are giving incentives for businesses to require employees to work. (Of course they are not forced to work on the sabbath but unless they are willing they are not apt to be hired or promoted.) Getting a day off during the week does not work for families. Husband and wife are apt to have different days off and the children will be in school.
My suggestion would be that everyone take Sunday off from the regular job (unless it is absolutely necessary such as hospitals, fire departments, police). Plan simple meals or meals that can be prepared ahead of time. And spend time relaxing with family.

 

[Mendalla]

From the beginning I've been opposed to Sunday shopping and treating Sunday as just another workday in the commercial world. I

I think you should be free to treat any day how you like. But making regulations that govern what day one must take as a "rest day" based on the requirements of one tradition should be a non-starter in the 21st century. Putting something in the labour laws guaranteeing employees one day off a week, I could go for. But that needn't mean forcing employers to shut down on a particular day.

 

[Mrs.Anteater]

Actually, I find Sunday shopping much more relaxing than doing it after work, because I haven’t worked, I have more time to do it in a relaxed way.
Now, I could understand if the employees don’t want to work on Sundays and I would agree to get rid of Sunday shopping for their sake. But I haven’t really heard that they complain much. I see a lot of students working at our stores on the weekends and they certainly like to have the work hours.