There’s an amazing thing happening right now. After centuries of apostasy, the Most High is waking up a generation of his people who are coming back to the ancient path, his way.
“Thus says Yahuah: “Stand by the roads, and look,and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
– Jeremiah 6:16
“And in those days the children shall begin to study the Torah,
And to seek the commandments,
And to return to the path of righteousness”
Jubilees 23:26
The generation during Jeremiah’s time wouldn’t listen and walk in it, but there is a growing group of Yah’s people who are, right now. With any ‘movement’, there will naturally be newcomers. HalleluYah and welcome! One of the first moves many who come into Yah’s Torah make, is keeping the Sabbath day set-apart (holy). This study will be the basics of; ‘how, when, why and where to keep/celebrate the Sabbath‘ each week. At certain junctures, I’ll be listing other connecting studies for further research into certain areas that pertain to the Sabbath, but for this study, we will keep it brief, and to the main point.
If by chance you have stumbled across this video or article, and have not been shown yet of the goodness of keeping Torah alongside your saving faith in Messiah, I’d love to point you to this quick study:
WHEN?
The Sabbath is a weekly appointment and celebration with our creator! The very first pages of our Bibles gives us a peek into Yah’s Sabbath:
“And Elohim (God) saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
– Genesis 1:31
And:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day Elohim finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So Elohim blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it Elohim rested from all his work that he had done in creation”
Genesis 2:1-3
We are to rest on the seventh day of the week. That day in the US, is Saturday. Here is what Saturday is called in many other countries:
Arabic: Sabet
Armenian: Shabat
Bosnian: Subota
Bulgarian: Sabota
Corsican: Sàbatu
Croatian: Subota
Czech: Sobota
Georgian: Sabati
Greek: Savvato
Hebrew: Shabbat
Indonesian: Sabtu
Italian: Sabato
Latin: Sabbatum
Maltese: is-Sibt
Polish: Sobota
Portuguese: Sábado
Romanian: Sambata
Russian: Subbota
Serbian: Subota
Slovak: Sobota
Slovene: Sobota
Somali: Sabti
Spanish: Sabado
Sudanese: Saptu
Ukranian: Subota
Notice anything in particular? That’s right, in all these different languages, they have a connection to the Hebrew word, Sabbath! The weekly appointment with our creator, is on Saturday. Aside from this, some have stated that the Sabbath is not on a weekly fixed seven day cycle, but pertains to the moon. As an avid researcher, and one who truly wants to serve Yah correctly, I investigated this topic with great interest. During my search, I found several issues and ultimately, could not get on board with it. Below, are my findings, if you’d like to research it out further, or are currently considering the lunar sabbath:
Or article: https://pofthevineyard.wpengine.com/lunar-sabbath/
Now that we’ve established we celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday, when exactly? Some say Friday evening to Saturday evening. Some Saturday morning to Sunday morning, and some say Saturday morning to Saturday evening. Let me just say this — I’m excited that people actually want to celebrate the Sabbath, and I can only imagine our Heavenly Father is thoroughly pleased! With that said, I once again would like to share the best understanding I have at this time. I celebrate from Friday evening (sunset) to Saturday evening (sunset). Here is our study on when a day begins and ends for further research:
Here’s the article: https://pofthevineyard.wpengine.com/calendar-part2/
HOW?
This is the most important part of the study, and where most questions arise. I’m sure I won’t be able to cover all the FAQ’s, but please leave a comment with your question, or email me at: [email protected]
This is a perfect time to bring up a major area of concern for this walk. Some people who have realized the error of mainstream Christianity and come over to the Truth, think we are supposed to follow judaism. This is dangerous. Growing up in judaism myself, I can tell you it’s riddled with falsehoods, and added man-made traditions. Keep in mind our Messiah rebuked their man-made ways of celebrating Yahuah:
“…So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the wordof Elohim. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”
Matthew 15:6-9
Ouch! We certainly don’t want to follow the same error — we don’t want to worship him in vain, so let’s keep it ‘by the book’.
No Work
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahuah your Elohim. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days Yahuah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore Yahuah blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Exodus 20:8-11
How do we define ‘work’?
Here is the strongs concordance link
In our modern day context, this is our employment. The Sabbath is a day we rest from our labor (employment) and be refreshed, just as our creator did in Genesis 2.
“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath from following your employment on my Holy day, and do meet the Sabbath with great delight to sanctify Yahuah, and honor him, not doing your own ways, nor making your wants ample, nor speaking violent words: Then shall you delight yourself in Yahuah; and he shall cause you to dwell in the strong places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father; for thus it is decreed by the Word of Yahuah”
Isaiah 58:13-14 Aramaic
Keep in mind, we don’t make anyone else work. For example, one may say, “we can go out to eat, because it’s not work”. Yet, you’d be making the server, cooks, management and others work for you. You may also say, “They’re working anyways”. We are called to be a light to the nations, not part of the problem and act like everyone else. This goes for any other situation, perhaps the A/C or heat goes out… It can wait one day. We are not to make others work.
What if my job requires me to work?
Some of you out there may have just woken up to the Truth and still have jobs that require you to work on the Sabbath. Don’t freak out, but take this important matter to Yah himself. If you sincerely desire to obey his way, seek it, ask him to help you pave the way. I’ve seen many miracles happen in this department. I’ve seen people who had employers who never gave anyone Saturday off to anyone, ever, but when they approached them in humility, stating the reason they needed it off, got it. HalleluYah! For we serve the Living Elohim my brothers and sisters! He can do anything, yes even change the mind of your boss. Perhaps he can find you even better employment! The point is, desire it, seek it, ask for Yah to help you keep his Sabbath holy, he just may answer. I’d be lying to you if I told you this wasn’t important — so it’s time to act, time is short.
What is work?
This definition of work is something the jews of old had added man-made traditions to. Our Messiah often healed on the Sabbath day, something the Torah never forbids, yet we saw them get upset each time. Here’s one example:
“When Yahusha saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Yahusha said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Yahusha had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Yahusha found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Yahusha who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Yahusha, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Yahusha answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working. This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling Elohim his own Father, making himself equal with Elohim”
John 5:6-18
As we just mentioned, there is no Torah law that forbids healing on the Sabbath. There were, and currently are many added jewish laws that forbid this, and many other acts of kindness. In the Rabbinical Talmud (Oral Law), there are even statutes that say if you give money or food to a homeless person, you’ve broken the Sabbath. Following jewish traditions will lead one into worrying about turning on a light switch or getting into your car. It’s worthy of note, that I believe one of the missions our Messiah had during his ministry, was to ‘loosen’ the strict laws the jews had added to the Sabbath. It is sort of concealed in verse 18 we just read:
“This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling Elohim his own Father, making himself equal with Elohim”
John 5:18
If we take a closer look at the Greek word that was used for ‘breaking’ we get a clearer picture.
Strongs G3089 clarifies that Yahusha ‘loosed’, not broke the Sabbath. He came to free the Israelite’s from the heavy burdens the Pharisees imposed on them. They added burdensome laws to the easy yoke of the Torah.
“And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:”
Mark 2:27
The Sabbath was given as a gift to us, not to be a burden!
Can I cook?
The short answer? Yes. This is the biggest area of influence I’ve seen from judaism that has crept into our communities. There is no law that forbids cooking on Sabbath’s or other feast days, only added tradition. Think about it, this is a feast day!
“And thus he created therein a sign in accordance with which they should guard the Shabbath with us on the seventh day, to eat and to drink, and to bless him who has created all things as he has blessed and sanctified unto himself a peculiar people above all peoples, and that they should guard the Shabbath together with us”
Jubilees 2:22
“And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.”
Exodus 12:16
The Sabbath is a day to eat, to drink and to rejoice. It isn’t a day to be locked up in your home, unable to do anything, that’s a burden that no one wants. Here is a full study on why I am fully convinced by the Word, that it is lawful to cook on the Sabbath: Cooking on the Sabbath article
Can you clean your house?
While I do believe this is a day of putting down your labors, I don’t find it a sin to clean up after meals. Some people cannot stand dishes in the sink or laying on the counter, so I get it. Nevertheless, I don’t think the Sabbath is the day to deep clean your home, that’s what the 6th day preparation is for, or for those of you who are on a Mon-Fri schedule with weekends off, Sunday is a great day to do the laundry, sweeping, vacuuming etc. So yes, if you have a mess and want to clean it up, do so. If you baby has a dirty diaper, change it silly! Yes, go outside and throw it in the trash! Seriously though, the Sabbath is supposed to be a delight, not a burden that you don’t look forward to. This is supposed to be the best day of each week.
Can you travel?
Yes. Our Messiah (our best example) did.
“At that time Yahusha went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat”
Matthew 12:1
Also,
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”
Luke 4:16
He had to travel some distance at least to get to the synagogue. I’d say it is perfectly lawful for us to travel, especially if we travel to a local fellowship/congregation. I’d actually encourage it if you have someone near you. At the same time, I don’t think the Sabbath should be the day you take a cross-country drive — this is exhausting and not restful in nature, you have six other days to do that.
Can you shop?
No. This would cause others to work and is not lawful.
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Yahuah your Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant (employees), nor your cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates”
Exodus 20:10
If we aren’t supposed to even make our animals work, why would we make anyone else do so? I used to do most of my shopping on Saturdays before coming to the truth; it takes a slight adjustment, but after a week or so, you get used to it and look forward to a day where you don’t have to do anything but gather, eat, drink, bless, and praise Yah.
“In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our Elohim bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.”
Nehemiah 13:15-18
What about emergencies?
Emergencies are emergencies. The many ‘what if’ scenarios are between you and Yahuah alone.
It is Lawful to do well on the Sabbath
It really is. The whole purpose of the Sabbath; a day of rest, blessing, worship, praise etc… had been lost. The man-made extra laws made it burdensome for the people, so this is why Yahusha did so many miracles and healing on this day. He wanted to make an open exposition of these extra laws, that they aren’t from Yahuah.
“And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”
Matthew 12:10-12
If you have an opportunity to do well to someone on the Sabbath — to be the light in a dark world, do it. This is the example Yahusha gave us.
Do I need to gather with people? (Holy Convocation)
“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of Yahuah in all your dwellings.”
Leviticus 23:3
Let’s take a look at the Hebrew word miqra: Strongs H4744
Yes, the Sabbath is a day to get together with like minded believers, to worship, praise, read his Word and share a meal together. If you don’t have anyone near you, this might be a good time to sign up and/or check the POTV Fellowship finder: https://pofthevineyard.wpengine.com/fellowship-finder/page/62/
If you still can’t find fellowship, I do believe online gatherings are a good secondary option. For example, every friday night at 8pm CST, we gather here on the Parable of the Vineyard Youtube site, to study Yah’s word together. There is a live chat, where you can fellowship with fellow believers. Either way, try to find some sort of gathering! As for me, we just started a local fellowship here in SW Missouri and has become the highlight of my week. Seeing Yah’s people in person — the hugs, the handshakes, the sharing of his Word together is more than I could ask for, and a slight peek into life in New Jerusalem.
His Word
I firmly believe we should be in the Word daily. We all have some time we can squeeze in each day. Perhaps on your commute, or while you’re doing chores (via audio). Play the scriptures on audio instead of music. Just a suggestion. Nevertheless, I believe the Sabbath is a day we should consume even more of his Word, as it’s a day we put down the business of our daily lives. Work, school, shopping; whatever may be part of our busy lives — it’s a day to put it down. Perhaps even social media? 🙂
Maybe this is just me, but I find that he blesses this day more than others and special revelation in understanding is given. It’s a day to praise him with songs of thanksgiving! Personally, most of the new songs I’ve made for him were born on the Sabbath. Praise be to Yahuah!
Spending time in Nature on Shabbat?
I believe the Shabbat is a perfect time to shut off electronics and get into Yah’s creation and enjoy it, whether alone or with family! To this day, one of my favorite Sabbath experiences was in Huntington Beach. About 10 of us gathered on the beach, shared food, discussed how awesome Yah is, read from his Word and soaked up the beauty of the ocean, the sand and everything that comes with it!
What if my spouse is not on board?
Great question. From what I’ve seen, there’s at least 30-40% of Torah observant people in this category. Here I can relate to you my own experience in my home. When I first started to keep the Sabbath and the Feast days of Yahuah, my wife was not too happy. She would grumble and complain always, like it was a huge burden that we couldn’t go to the store. She’d get fired up at me and I’d go toe to toe with her; at some points, it almost seemed to be arguments. I kept throwing verses at her, thinking something would stick, yet no matter what, she didn’t want anything to do with the Sabbath or Yahuah’s feasts.
Then I realized we are called to be a light, especially in our own homes. Think about it, he/she is your closest neighbor! Keep the Sabbath and don’t force them to do it, just be a good example and keep a good attitude. This type of behavior will be attractive to them and may actually seem like something they would want to participate in. If you have children, I know things can get tricky, but get on your knees daily for your spouse. Yahuah may just answer you.
After a few years of wondering why my wife wasn’t interested in doing these with me, I decided to take the advice I just gave you. Guess what? It worked! Yahuah had is own way of opening her eyes slowly, and she now participates in the Feast Days and comes to our local Sabbath gatherings each week. Praise Yahuah, you have no idea how much of a miracle this was! She still has some waking up to do, but I testify, this is a miraculous step that only Yahuah could have granted. So I say to you, even if it looks like a no-win situation, our Elohim is greater.
WHY
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of Yahuah your Elohim: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gates: For in six days Yahuah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Yahuah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
Exodus 20:8-11
Keeping the 10 commandments is part of the ‘basics’ of coming back to Yahuah’s ways. With this, we keep the Sabbath set-apart from our regular work, tasks, buying, selling and so on.
“Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Yahuah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed”
Exodus 31:16-17
Here is the Hebrew word Oth: Strongs H226
Keeping the Sabbath is your opportunity to be marked, or branded that you are his. It shows him that he is your master. Notwithstanding, walking in his Sabbath and the Torah in general comes with a peace of mind you wont find elsewhere, even if you search to the ends of the world. There’s something ancient about it; something that brings joy unspeakable!
“The Torah of Yahuah is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahuah is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of Yahuah are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Yahuah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahuah is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of Yahuah are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”
Psalm 19:7-11
If you’re new, don’t fret, take it slow and week by week, day by day, step by step. Yahuah will guide you along the way with the Ruach Ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit) inside you!
Yahuah bless you and keep you,
Yahuah make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
Yahuah lift up his countenance upon you and give you Shalom (peace)!
