Shabbat Study Notes

Introduction

Shabbat is typical and prophetic; its place in the order of the Feasts is also significant. Like them, Shabbat has a moral and a ceremonial meaning. It is the only Feast day that is mentioned specifically in the Ten Commandments. Shabbat is a weekly memorial of the Creation (Genesis 2:1-3), and of the Exodus from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:14-15), it is thus connected with the themes of REST and REDEMPTION (Leviticus 23:3). Shabbat is a sign between God and Israel, and is a type of the Eternal Shabbat (Hebrews 4:9). Shabbat therefore looks backward as well as forward.

Shabbat In The Tanach

Shabbat is a Creation ordinance given before the Law (Genesis 2:1-3). It was already known to Israel, as the account of the giving of manna shows (Exodus 16:23-25). It was designated as the Day of rest (Exodus 20:8-11). Reverence for Shabbat is coupled with reverence toward parents, and with reverence towards God's sanctuary (Leviticus 19:3, 30). This was the chosen time for spiritual conference (2.Kings 4:23); the right use of the Day and the blessings that follow are described in detail in:

Isaiah 56:2-6: "Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, 'The LORD has utterly separated me from His people'; nor let the eunuch say, 'Here I am, a dry tree.'" "For thus says the LORD: 'To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them[1] an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.' 'Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants-- everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant-- even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.'"
Isaiah 58:13-14: "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Observation of Shabbat will be worldwide in the Messianic Kingdom (Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 44:24)

Shabbat in Brit HaChadasha

The customs and ceremonies included meeting in the synagogue for prayer, praise, proclamation, and hearing the Law and the Prophets (Luke 4:16-21; Acts 13:14-16; Acts 15:21, etc.). Because Shabbat is a day of rest, travelling was limited (Acts 1:12) to 2000 cubits (3000 feet) this was derived from Joshua 3:4.

Messiah Yeshua taught the lawfulness of doing good to others on Shabbat (Luke 13:10-17). As the Lord of the Shabbat He brought physical as well as spiritual freedom on that day (Matthew 12:1-12). He fulfils the two themes of Rest and of Redemption (Hebrews 4:1-11).

Shabbat In The Talmud

There are 39 main classes of work forbidden, e.g. watering, weeding, replenishing oil lamps, etc. This gave rise to the saying (in the Mishnah), that the laws of forbidding work on Shabbat 'are as mountains hanging by a hair'.

Because it is a festive day, three meals were prescribed; fasting on Erev Shabbat was forbidden. Man is viewed as giving back the world to God on Shabbat. The modern customs include home and synagogue services; after a brief service on Friday evening in the synagogue, the family has the first of three Shabbat meals at home. Two candles are lit, recalling the twin commands to Remember and to Observe (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12). Two braided loaves (Challah) on the festival table recall the double portion of manna that Israel gathered every Friday in the wilderness (Exodus 16:22-16). After blessing the family, the husband says a blessing over the wine and the bread (Kiddush); then everybody shares the Shabbat meal. Throughout the day, rest and worship are the main features, including the main service on Saturday morning.

Conclusion

The moral and spiritual content of Shabbat are designed for the good of mankind, and can never be abrogated. The type as well as its fulfilment exist side by side, each casting light on the other.

For more information on Zion Messianic Fellowship
email us at info@tsion.org, or call (604) 800-3663.