Exodus 16:4–30, The Sabbath. This chapter chronicles YHVH’s efforts to literally force an irreverent, unruly and disobedient nation to keep the seventh day Sabbath. He did so in a most poignant way—through food and hunger. It’s as if he were instructing the stiff-necked and rebellious Israelites that if they refused to follow his Sabbath instructions, they would literally go hungry. “If you don’t obey me, you don’t eat.” This shows the gravity the Creator places on the Sabbath command. Yet despite these clear instructions, most in the Babylonian church today, like the rebellious children of Israel of old, refuse to obey YHVH’s clear instructions regarding the Sabbath. Instead, they prefer to believe the doctrines of men proffered to them by their spiritual leaders that purport to invalidate the Sabbath command. Paul’s sage observation in Romans 8:7 describes the situation perfectly: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim: for it is not subject to the [Torah] law of Elohim, neither indeed can be.” In our day, the same question can still be asked of followers of Yeshua that YHVH asked of the Israelites at that time, “How long do you reuse to keep my commandments and my laws?” (Exod 16:28).
This chapter is almost entirely dedicated to instructions pertaining to preparing for the Sabbath. This shows the priority that YHVH places on Sabbath observance for his people. Also note that these instructions are given many weeks before the official giving of the Torah (or law of Moses) at Mount Sinai. This is but one of the many examples of YHVH revealing key aspects of his Torah-law before he gave it the Israelites in one legal codified corpus at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 16:4, On the sixth day…prepare. (Also note verse 23.) The sixth day of the week was to be a day of preparation for the Sabbath, so that the Sabbath rest could be complete allowing for man to fully focus on being spiritually edified in the presence of his Creator without the distractions of food preparation and the other mundane duties of life.
Exodus 16:29, Let every man remain. The essential point of this prohibition is to not go out and gather manna on the Sabbath, but to rest on this day from the routine work of supporting one’s family. This command didn’t prohibit the Israelites from gathering together on the Sabbath for purposes of teaching, worship, prayer, fellowship or spiritual edification or else YHVH’s command for the Israelites to gather together on the Sabbath for a “holy convocation” (Lev 23:2) would be contradictory. Were this command merely an injunction to not leave one’s dwelling place on the Sabbath, then Yeshua and the apostles visiting synagogues on the Sabbath would have been a violation of this Torah command. Isaiah 58:13 could be viewed as the corollary passage to Exodus 16:29. There YHVH instructs his people not to profane the Sabbath by doing their own pleasure, not doing their own ways, and not speaking their own words on this day. Instead, it is a holy day to YHVH and a day to focus on and honor him.
Thanks for sharing this Sabbath teaching especially for the new repented believers in Yeshua. Shabbat Shalom Lawrence family
And to you and the everyone else as well! Though separated by time and distance, the saints are united in the Spirit as we all celebrate the seventh-day Sabbath.
Natan…
I have no doubt we are to keep the Sabbath…it is and has been how I live.. I love the Sabbath.. It is my favorite day of the week..
We know that Yahshua always kept the Sabbath and kept it correctly otherwise if He broke it, then he sinned and can not be our Savior.
We also have a verse that Yahshua kept the Sabbath.
Luk 4:16 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.
Below is the only verse that I don’t understand.. Unless I am reading it wrong Yahshua says He worked on the Sabbath and that our Father works on the Sabbath??
Joh 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Yahshua, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
Joh 5:17 But Yahshua answered them, MY FATHER WORKETH HITHERTO, AND I WORK.
I am sure there is an explanation for this verse, but I have no idea what it is??
Shabbat Shalom brothers and sisters! Praise Abba YHWH for His loving kindness and mercies.
Brother Kirt, hopefully Natan will weigh in on your question on John 5. I’m not 100% convinced on my understanding but I believe that it is referencing the fact that Abba YHWH never truly rests as He holds all things together with His power and spirit. The earth keeps spinning, the planets remain in there orbits, human bodies grow, heal, the wind blows, the rain falls, Abba’s glorious miracles are performed non stop. The Shabbat was actually made for us in YHWH’s loving kindness and mercy Yeshua teaches that it is good to do good work on the Shabbat especially eleaviating human suffering by healing that person. To the Pharaseies it was considered work to heal on the Shabbat unless it is for a possibly fatal wound or sickness. We know that this is just man made nonsense and so Yeshua was just setting them straight and at the same time declaring who He is, the Son of the Creator of the Universe. Pretty bold statement. Gives me goosebumps!
Yah bless you and yours this Shabbat.
Right on.
Robert Daniel Phelps
thank you
Hi Natan. Shabbat Shalom! Thanks again for your encouragement. It is always amazing to me the seemingly small differences between the Hebrews and Christians, but they are HUGE. The largest being the sabbaths.
But there is something I’ve struggled with from the very onset. Food preparation on the sabbath. I don’t see it in the scriptures where it says no cooking.
I am told that Exodus 16:23-25 commands no cooking on the sabbath. Unless the syntax is different in the Hebrew, I don’t see it.
23 And he said unto them, This is that which the YHVH hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the YHVH: bake [the uncooked mana] that which ye will bake to day, and seethe [the uncooked mana] that ye will seethe; and that [the uncooked mana] which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
24 And they laid it up [the uncooked mana] till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not STINK, neither was there any worm therein.
25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the YHVH: to day ye shall not find it [the uncooked mana] in the field.
I’m just looking for some clarification and exegesis from a Hebrew expert.
With that said, I REALLY enjoy not having to cook on Shabbat, and my (non-Sabbath) wife and I are still working out minimizing/not cooking on Shabbat.
Exod 16:23 seems pretty clear to me. No cooking or baking. That doesn’t mean you can’t heat up what you have already prepared on Friday which is the preparation day for the sabbath. YHVH was trying to teach the people this by having them gather extra manna on Friday. You see, baking and preparing food that requires cooking is a creative process involving chemistry where molecular changes occur in foods. YHVH set us the example by resring from his creative activities on the sabbath. Preparing foods such as salads that don’t involve chemical changes through heating isn’t a violation of the Exod 16 command. So heat your already prepared food and slice and dice your fruits and veggies and heat your water for coffee and tea on Shabbat. The main focus of Shabbat is to get our focus off of the mundane and onto the spiritual level. Not possible if we’re spending half the day in the kitchen worrying about feeding our belly.
Interesting “food” for thought. “Non-Shabbat” wife here but it’s not accurate to call me that. I celebrate Christ Messiah on Sundays and I also am exploring resting on the Sabbath. We are all on a journey, so I do not think it is fair to pigeon hole believers simply as “Sabbath” or “not-Sabbath” cause every child of His has things right and wrong. Point is, is to grow to be more like Jesus Messiah. He asks us to honor it, and slowly I’m trying to seek His wisdom there. Thus far I’ve found a benefit in resting and do love my raw fruits and veg, so no issue there. Thanks.
Matthew 12:5-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’[a] you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Priests where working on the Sabbath as God commanded. Those who work for God on the Sabbath do not break the sabbath. Also it is good to do good on the sabbath. To heal and do other good works.
Matthew 12:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Amein.
So what He is calling “work” is really healing?
and I know it’s ok to do any kind of emergency work on the Sabbath..
which I believe includes all those in the medical, security and military fields..
So the work He was talking about was healing..
ok.. thank you..
Is there any symbolism or significance in not kindling a fire in Shabbat or is that more so commanded for practical purposes?
Hi Natan. Shabbat Shalom!
I am a newbie. And your teaches and encouragements are so fantastic. And as a newbie, I still need practical advise. I am a young father of three young children (under 5). Can you please encourage me on/write a post about/make a video about how to include my kids as much as possible and how I can be as spirit filled as much as I can with kids that really feel like a distraction on the sabbath day. Even more so since this is the day that I want even more to be close to Him. You know what it was like, I am certain. It’s hard enough that there is no assembly here to congregate with, and I am the only person in my circle of life that keeps Shabbat. But I want so much to honor YHVH on the sabbath day, and be filled with his spirit, and give light and life to my children on the sabbath day. But it is really hard.
I have been where you are. My wife and I have four children, and at one time, three were in diapers at the same time!
YHVH has called you to be the priest, prophet and king of your home. You must understand and own these identities, for they are spiritual callings. A priest brought people to YHVH, interceded for the people, and taught YHVH’s people his ways. A prophet declares the word of Elohim over his people, brings the word of Elohim to the people, and points, warns, disciplines and encourages the people. A king makes certain that YHVH’s laws are followed and otherwise insures the people’s well being as their provider, protector and righteous judge. These things you must do in your home.
As priest, prophet and king of your home, you must take your responsibility seriously, which means you have to lead by example. This means that you must be a man of prayer and Bible study every day, for that is your source of wisdom, guidance and strength. Also, seek the wise counsel of other righteous older men who have successfully raised their children and kept their marriage together.
View yourself as a river of life to your wife and children. This means that you must stay connected to heaven’s river of life through the Word and the Spirit of Elohim every day. The river of life in you will be only as viable as your personal relationship with Yeshua the Messiah through your interaction with the Word and Spirit of Elohim every day. You must abide in Yeshua as he says in John 15. I have done studies on how to abide in Yeshua on this blog and on the Hoshana Rabbah YouTube channel. Look them up.
Regarding the sanctity of the Sabbath, lead your family in preparing ahead of time for the Sabbath by cooking and cleaning on Friday, which is a preparation day, so you can enter the Sabbath in peace and rest. These will show them that Shabbat is special and set-apart unto YHVH. Have a special meal on erev Shabbat (Friday evening). Maybe light some candles, read the Bible, say some special prayers, play some worship music or whatever tradition you choose to make the time special to welcome in the Sabbath.
On the Sabbath and regularly throughout the week, have times of prayer with your kids, and read Bible story books to them. As you’re reading through the Bible stories, sermonize a little by explaining the spiritual lessons to be learned from each story. I did this a lot with my children. Discuss the stories with them. Ask them questions about them. Let them ask you questions. Learn and grow together with them. If you let them, your kids will teach you a lot by the amazing questions they ask. Make it a fun and relaxing time. You can also find excellent Christian Bible story videos to watch on the Shabbat. This is another way to teach them the stories and lessons of the Bible.
If the weather is nice, on Shabbat, take the kids for a walk in a park or the woods or some natural area near your home. Explains to them the wonders of YHVH’s creation. Instill in them at a young age a love, fear and wonder of YHVH. Show them the rocks, trees, plants, flowers, insects, clouds and other aspects of YHVH’s creation. Children are naturally curious. Explore Yah’s creation with them and have fun doing so.
On Shabbat, let the kids quietly play together and enjoy being with each other, while you spend time alone with Yah and with your wife. They need time just to be kids. You don’t have to structure the whole day for them. Go with the flow and have fun. Think “river of life.” Let it be a time of joy and shalom.
When the kids get older (pre-teen age and teenager), have them go through my Torah Explorers, which is a year-long youth Bible study guide. You’ll find it on our website. That will really keep them busy for a while…and you too!
I hope these suggestions will help you. Let me know how it goes!
Onward and upward for the glory of Elohim!
Thank YHWH that you shared Joshua and thank Him for you Natan for responding. I am in the same situation right now and love advice from righteous men on the subject. I have two little ones in diapers right now. Shalom shalom.
I pray over my daughters every night nearly the same prayer: Abba YHWH please protect my girls tonight and bring them back safely to us in the morning. Please give them peaceful dreams. Please write your Torah on their hearts and fill them full of your Ruach. May they be granted long prosperous lives with many children and grandchildren, free of every sickness and every disease. May they have righteous Husbands. May their feet never depart from the path of Messiah. May they be a bright shining light to the nations. May my wife and I show them how to be good faithful disciples of Yeshua. May we all be in your kingdom together. Your will be done Your kingdom come. In the name of Messiah Yeshua. Amen.