(1) Overview
(BKC) The Sabbath was the sign (vv. 13, 17) of the covenant that made Israel a theocracy [a nation rules by God]...This command, as stated in the Decalogue [10 commandments] (20:8), was based on God’s resting after His work of Creation in six days (31:17). Because the nation was in a covenant relationship with Him, the people were to do as He had done. The Sabbath marked Israel out as God’s people. Observing the Sabbath showed that the Israelites were set apart (i.e., holy) to God.
(2) Repeated words: holy/sanctifies
31:13 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
[sanctifies]=set apart
When the Israelites observe a certain rule of God that became a visual difference with other nations. Since this is God's Sabbaths then God is the One who set them apart from others not they themselves that invent the Sabbath and made themselves unique.
Reflection: Israel stood out for their observation of Sabbath that God gave them. Do you stand out by being a Christian? Do you mind being stood out?
31:14 So you must keep the Sabbath, for it is holy for you. Everyone who defiles it must surely be put to death; indeed, if anyone does any work on it, then that person will be cut off from among his people.
[defiles]= (NET) It means “common, profane,”... “make common, profane” or “defile.” Treating the Sabbath like an ordinary day would profane it, make it common.
Reflection: Why would people defile the Sabbath? Trying to make more money by working on that day? Feeling inconvenience because it would be hard to do business with other nations who do not stop working on that day? Do we ignore God's teachings because it contradicts my own desire? Or we do not like the inconvenience?
Reflection: Why would people defile the Sabbath? Trying to make more money by working on that day? Feeling inconvenience because it would be hard to do business with other nations who do not stop working on that day? Do we ignore God's teachings because it contradicts my own desire? Or we do not like the inconvenience?
31:15a Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD;
Israel set a day apart from other days not just for rest, but dedicate this day to God. Our observing/following the teaching of the Bible was our heart to God. We want to show Him our love.
Israel set a day apart from other days not just for rest, but dedicate this day to God. Our observing/following the teaching of the Bible was our heart to God. We want to show Him our love.
Audrey
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