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his Sabbaths

Ezekiel 20:8b-13a (JDV)

Ezekiel 20:8b So I considered pouring out my wrath on them, exhausting my anger against them within the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel 20:9 But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be polluted in the eyes of the nations they were living among, in whose sight I had made myself known to Israel by bringing them out of Egypt.
Ezekiel 20:10 ” ‘So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the open country.
Ezekiel 20:11 Then I gave them my prescriptions and explained my rules to them – the person who does them will live by them.
Ezekiel 20:12 I also gave them my Sabbaths to serve as a sign between me and them, so that they would know that I am Yahveh who consecrates them.
Ezekiel 20:13a ” ‘But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the open country. They did not follow my prescriptions and they rejected my rules – the person who does them will live by them. They also completely polluted my Sabbaths.

his Sabbaths

The purpose of the Sabbaths in the Old Testament is laid out here. They were not supposed to be a permanent ordinance for all nations. They were designed to teach Israel that their God consecrates them.

I am not a sabbatarian. I do not believe Christians today are obligated to worship on a particular day. But when we do worship, whether it is on a Saturday or a Sunday, we should recognize that our worship is a chance to recognize that our God has consecrated us to himself. When we come together, we should encourage each other to be a consecrated people. Taking time out of our ordinary schedules to devote to God, his word, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit — that is always appropriate.

LORD, give us time devoted to you so that you can empower us to share your gospel.