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Today we are going to learn about Sabbath through Middle Eastern eyes and through the historic cultural context of the Bible. Sabbath is other than, more than and better than the ways we usually think of Sabbath here in the West. The world has a way of knocking rest right out of us. The Bible paints a beautiful picture of Sabbath as running so much deeper, wider and more than merely resting after working, catching our breath in the rat race of life.  

There are 2 systems at play in the world. There is empire and there is kingdom. Empire is anchored in scarcity, and functions within striving and straining. There’s never enough and the acquisition of more is the way to make sure you have enough. Kingdom is sabbathed, functioning within sufficiency and quiet trust in the Living God as our Father. It can relinquish because it trusts that there will be enough. We are not orphans or the fatherless. We can rest because He is always working. 

The Bible tells the story of Sabbath as a celebration of restoration. Shabbat is the Hebrew word where we get our English word sabbath. Shabbat means “to cease”. What is it that we are ceasing? During Sabbath we cease our work to remember and celebrate God’s work. What work is that? That right now He is making all things new. A deep and profound restoration, renewal and repair are underway.  

I pray you will feel the Lord’s loving invitation into His Sabbath rest today.