The Sabbath

    Have you ever had that overwhelming since of the Holy Spirit empowering you to do something you just could not do on your own?  It is an amazing experience.  I hope that every believer has had some sort of empowering encounter with the Holy Spirit.

    In the Israelite community the Holy Spirit had to get involved to make sure God's house was just the way God wanted it.  The Holy Spirit didn't need explanation because He knew.  He gave Bealel and Oholiab the vision and the ability to become the most skilled craftsmen.  He gave them the ability, skill, and knowledge to make God's home this special and beautiful place.  

     When it came to the Sabbath, the entire community would rest and worship God.  It was a whole day of no labor at all.  This is how they kept it Holy.  If anyone tried to desecrate the Sabbath, then they were put to death.  If you dared to work, then you were kicked out of the community to be shunned.  

    From the beginning God has set the standard, work six days and rest on the seventh.  I don't think it really matters if it is Saturday or Sunday as long as it is consistent and dedicated to God.

    This was how God ended his 40 days and nights with Moses.  When he left God's presence he had two stone tablets written out with all of God's commandments in God's hand writing.  I mean wow to be given something that important and special.  It literally was a once in a lifetime experience for all of humanity.

    God saved the best for last because he wanted to end on a positive note.  It all starts and ends with Him.  We just decide how we are going to live the in-between.  The Sabbath was established as a permanent covenant between God's people and Himself.  Jesus' time here did not altar it.  He just clarified how best to honor it.

Exodus 31