“Honour The Sabbath Day…!”

“Honour The Sabbath Day…!”
The English cliche says “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” When we reason critically we realise that rest is inclusive in the adage. The song writer says “There is joy in labour…” But rest is also important. God did all the work of creation in six days and rested on the seventh day. He thus made that seventh day holy (Gen.2:3).This seventh day (Sabbath) became a mandatory day of rest in which servants also and even beasts of burdens were to rest. This day of rest became so important that it was included in the Ten Commandments (Ex.20:8-11).
We all know that the work of masters and slave owners are mainly supervisory. Those who actually deserve rest are servants, slaves and beasts of burdens.
It was very necessary for the workers to rest just like the masters and also to remind the Israeli masters that they were once slaves in Egypt before God brought them out with a mighty hand (Deut. 13-15).
The command to observe the Sabbath was and is liberative. It was and is intended to offer compulsory rest to servants, slaves and animals that work. Unfortunately teachers of the law distorted the meaning of Sabbath rest. Jesus had to constantly remind them that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
Earlier on we said “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” But remember that “all play and no work makes Jack a mere toy!” Work is necessary, but rest is aslo important if one has to avoid burn out! The Sabbath rest is a command from God not to exploit those who work for you. Always give them their deserved rest.
Welcome back to a new working week. Whatever is your task, “work heartily as serving the Lord and not men!”
Prayer of the week: Holy Spirit help me to do my work with zeal and not to exploit those who work under me. Amen!
Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!