The Hebrew word for Sabbath ( Heb. 'shabbat') literally means “to cease”, "pause" from labor, hence "to rest". Just as God rested from His work, although He doesn't need rest, is to show us an example--to set a precedent for mankind (Gen. 2:3).
"Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (Genesis 2:1-3)
So as God rested from all His work, we are to rest too from our 'day-to-day' jobs and refocus on our well being.
Since the fall of man, the Sabbath serves as a reminder for our need of redemption. It is an opportunity to break away from the oppression of everyday works (Gen 3:17). In effect, the Sabbath is a day to push our reset button.
Hence, to rest on the Sabbath is an act of faith. Its an expression of trust in God and His word. It’s also a reminder that no matter how important your work or profession--you can take comfort in the God who controls everything.
When our focus is to please Him, and cease from pursuing our material goals on the Sabbath, we’re trusting in the One who created and made everything possible!
“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20:11)
So just as our rest is very important for our physical body, the Sabbath is important for our spiritual healing and growth. Rest follows healing, and our 'reset' enables us to replenish and grow. The following are just few reasons why the Sabbath remains for the people of God:
1. The Sabbath BELONGS TO GOD; It was instituted for mankind at Creation. (Genesis 2:3)
2. We are to REMEMBER IT. (Exodus 20:8:11)
3. It’s the LORD'S SABBATH (Exodus 20:10; Leviticus 23:28).
4. It was given to ALL people; IT WAS MADE FOR MAN. (Mark 2:27)
5. It's a day set apart for REST AND WORSHIP. (Exodus 34:21; Leviticus 23:3; Deuteronomy 5:12-14)
6. It remains TODAY. (Hebrews 4:9)
7. It’s a SIGN between GOD and His people. (Exodus 31:17)
8. We are BLESSED when we keep it. (Isaiah 56:2; Revelation 22:14)
9. It’s EVERLASTING (Leviticus 24:8)
10. The Sabbath speaks of BETTER THINGS in the future. (Hebrews 4:1)
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