The Christian Letter, Volume One: Chapter 11
Keeping the Sabbath day holy not only means to refrain from buying or selling, but it also means that we are to refrain from worldly pleasures such as sporting events and television, and it even includes not speaking our own words. Speech should be about Yahoweh and His Word. I assure you, if we keep the Sabbath day in this manner, it will be much easier to keep Yahoweh’s commandments because we get one set apart day each week to refresh ourselves both physically and spiritually.
Those who do not revere His teachings, enough to do them, often fall away. How do we keep the Sabbath? There is often confusion about how to keep the Sabbath, even in the time of the Messiah (Matthew 12). Many Christians and Jews keep the Sabbath, but your celebration needn’t match theirs. If your method differs from mine then there is no problem. If it differs from His, then seek Him out, in Word and prayer, to get back on the right path: the path Yahoshuah Himself walked. Just remember: Sabbath was made for us, hence, allow yourself to be blessed by it; we were not made for the Sabbath, hence, do not worry about what you must do for it. This is a gift to you from Yahoweh—so let us receive this gift with joyful thanksgiving!
On the morning of Preparation Day, many begin their work to prepare for Sabbath. We try to have a lot of work done before Preparation Day so that all we have left to do are basics. A time of rest can feel strained if immediately proceeded by a rush. I make sure that I have all of my bills paid, food bought, gas in the car in case of an emergency, food for my pets, and that the house is clean (well, okay, it’s pretty clean). I do my best to make sure that I do not have any work that should have been done. Friends, family, and clients, all know I do not work on His Sabbath. On this day I get to rest in body and spirit. However, I cannot do this by seeking worldly things, from business to games.
Sabbath is a great time to invite fellow believers over, even if they have never celebrated Sabbath. Greet them with a, “Shabbat Shalom!” It’s a wonderful experience to share Sabbath keeping once you have become accustomed to celebrating His Sabbath. Don’t forget to involve your children, too. Help them a week in advance to put together a Biblical play for after Sabbath begins. Make sure they know they need to have their rooms clean and homework done so that Sabbath can truly be a time of rest for everyone. Take a little bit here and a little bit there, and it will not take long for you to grow very accustomed to His Sabbath. In time you will have your own traditions (just be sure they don’t become a law in your heart). Many have a tradition of a nice tablecloth and fancy dishes for Sabbath. This is a fine custom to have, but if you’re like me, then the mismatched ones you got out of a dumpster are the best you have, and hey, they work just fine. Like His children, they are a peculiar treasure, unique, and strong, and saved from destruction. He may guide you to sing unto Him while dancing around the table with smiles and laughter before the meal. Yahoweh can inspire hymns in the night, and songs by drums, and prayers from the mouth of children no preacher can stand for, only kneel for in tears. Let His Holy Spirit guide you. Go with His leading!
A few hours before Sabbath we take showers and the whole family dresses their best. The food is already all made (Exodus 16:22-23), and no cooking needs to be done for the next day. After all, Yahoweh Himself does not prepare manna on the Sabbath. We sometimes make traditional foods or have treats. Main dishes are often accompanied by a bowl of olives, and another of almonds, and yet another of grapes. We have Challah (a special bread covered in the recipe section), and wine (okay, we call it wine, but it is actually juice). A festival is about to begin.
Note: Do not microwave a T.V. dinner for Sabbath—take the time to make a meal, even if you have to make it the first of the week, and freeze it for the eve of Sabbath to be warmed up on the stove. Don’t have leftovers or take out. Make sure this time is as nice as you can make it. However, if it is messed up then do not fret for a moment. Just like a wedding is not as important as the marriage, the Sabbath meal, attire, and customs are not as important as the heart that loves the King enough to emulate His Son.
For the next twenty-four hours, our attitude should be, “I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.” Be ready ahead of time so you don’t have to rush into it. What He impresses on you, do. Whether it is to go play Sabbath games with your kids, take the dog for a walk, or read your Bible and meditate on Him. If you approach it with an open and sincere heart, you will know what He has for you on, “The Day of Yahoweh.”
A few moments before sunset, my wife, every once in a long while, lights the traditional Sabbath candles. Some say a woman lights these white candles since she brought sin into the world, even though Adam was just as guilty, and that through her the Messiah was brought to us. Personally, I think she lights them because she wants too, but, in the past, these were people’s light bulbs, and, in some places, they still are. The candles were lit, and the fire was transferred from one wick to another, so as to not break the Commandment of not lighting a fire on Sabbath. After all, would we want to forfeit Yahoweh’s Light for that of candles? A blessing commonly said is, “Blessed are you, Ha BaRa Yahoweh, Who has set us apart by His Commandments and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath lights.” However, Yahoweh never commands us to light the Sabbath candles. Thus I changed this traditional prayer to, “Blessed be the Name of Yahoweh Who gave us no commandment to light candles, but since we should not do so during Sabbath, we light them now, not because we need them, but because they are pretty.” (Please don’t hate me for changing the traditions of men. I leave this, as with all things, to the Holy Spirit of Yahoweh to answer in your heart.) As soon as the prayer is over, we sing “Shabbat Shalom.”)
Note: If the sun does not set normally in your land, such as the arctic, then one could go off Israel time for Sabbath keeping, or simply go from 7:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Next, we lift up our wine glasses, our Kiddush. (Plain grape or pomegranate juice is what we usually have. Paul forfeited eating meat forever, as it was offensive to some brothers, as have we. Do the same with wine if there would be any offended!) We lift up our glasses and all pray, singing, “Barukh Atah, Yahoweh, Ha BaRa, Melekh ha’olam, borey p’ri hagafem. Ah-ah-men” We then recite in English, “Blessed are You, Yahoweh, the Creator, King of the Universe, Who gives us fresh fruit from the vine. Amen.” Or we will say a un-memorized prayer over the gift of drink. John 15, or other Scripture, can be recited at this point. Sometimes we simply raise our cups and shout, “To Yahoweh!”
Next, comes the Challah (ha-lah). This bread, a braided loaf of unbleached white / wheat bread (Numbers 15:20-21), is my favorite bread. We bake two loafs to remind us of the Israelites gathering in twice as much manna on Preparation Day in Exodus 16:5. That, and Challah does not last long as it is devoured swiftly. The braids remind us of folded arms as a symbol of rest, as we lift it up and sing, “Barukh Atah, Yahoweh, Ha BaRa, Melekh, ha’olam hamotzi lekhem min ha’aretz Ah-ah-men.” And then in English, “Blessed are You, Yahoweh, the Creator, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth. Amen.” We then tear off a portion and pass the bread around to eat. It is a delight. There are hugs and smiles, and usually, a second helping of Challah.
Note: Even if Hebrew sounds like Greek to you, and even if the closest comparison of your voice to a songbird is a vulture, try singing these prayers until you get accustomed to them. Used once in awhile they add a certain spice to the blessing that is Sabbath.
If you, or your guests, have children, then this is the time when the parents lay their hands on their daughter’s heads and pray for them. There are many set prayers, but I believe most prayers ought be freely spoken. Pray for them to be like the good women of Scripture, and that, even at this very moment, Yahoweh is providing men who walk in all His ways to be their husbands. Pray that their faith and love would increase in He Who loved them first. Next, pray over your boys with the same thoughts. Of course, you may say anything. These are simply ideas. The important thing is that you pray for your children every day, but on Sabbath day it is even more special. I can’t entirely be sure as to why, but I do know this: Yahoweh never misses His Festivals, and He loves His children. The children should then pray for their parents to be strong in their faith and love.
The head of the house can then recite Proverbs 31:10-31 and proclaim, “I have been blessed by such a woman.” or read his wife a poem, or he could proclaim that once again he could not have made it through the week without her. The wife should then do the same out of love for her husband, such as reading Psalms 1, or rejoicing upon his reliance on Yah for strength. Then everyone should give thanks, above all thanks, to Yahoweh, for without His Love none of these things would be. Praise Yahoweh!
Some pray before a meal, some pray after, and some pray all the time. As you may have assumed, now is the point in time for the first Sabbath meal. If many people are coming, you can have each person bring a vegan dish. Animals must be free to roam on the Sabbath day, graze freely, and enjoy the beauties of nature. This is a far cry from conditions for animals today on factory farms. Yahoweh spoke of creation in the fourth commandment, and in His creation was a vegan life. We emulate this pattern of rest, but let us never forget the other patterns. A true Sabbath keeper does not forget the Garden or the Kingdom. (I will speak in detail concerning this soon, but for now do not shun the idea of seeking first his Kingdom, for to shun this idea is to close your eyes when looking toward Heaven).
I love the Sabbath meal. Think of a healthy and joyful Thanksgiving every week. During the meal, we speak of the blessings that Yahoweh has laid upon us. Not monetary ones, rather, real blessings, like my wonderful wife or my pet kittens. Once we have finished, and after a lengthy satisfying conversation, we say a prayer of thanks for all He has provided. We then gather in the living room to sing and dance and … cherish what could never be forgotten. I am blessed with friends who can sing and play instruments, but perhaps you will be blessed with poetry or children’s plays. You will be blessed, regardless.
We then Midrash, or discuss Biblical Truths, calmly and lovingly. Now this is sometimes difficult as not everyone is going to agree with your study, but as long as it can be done in a respectful manner, there is no harm in it. I recommend talking on things other than Sabbath, unless your guests are not yet familiar with Sabbath keeping, or if you have not studied other topics well enough to present them. After all, you talk about Sabbath all week when looking forward to it, so be sure to talk about Biblical Truths concerning being loving in all aspects, and not just one or two. Let everyone know a topic for next Sabbath and then discuss it. Or you can do as we do and just go as the Spirit leads. Make it a joyful discussion. After all, Sabbath is a joyous time! (Never shun someone who has a different view, the only thing shunning him or her proves is that you are arrogant. Just study and seek His will peaceably.)
Note: Do not look to rabbis (for One is your Rabbi), or fathers (for One is your Father), or any church or synagogue study—not even commentary in a Bible—but look to His Word on your own with diligence and prayer. I have sadly witnessed many people start Sabbath groups, or go to them, only to fall into silly word studies, genealogy traps, ministers who are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and so many arguments about end times or Hebrew this and Greek that. Don’t! Look to the Word. Keep it simple. And seek yea first His Kingdom by walking with Him. Everyone will benefit more from spending four Sabbaths on Psalms 118-119 than they ever would by studying symbolic meanings of numbers and astrological signs. Better to speak on the fruit of the Spirit, than on how evil something is. And keep the rules: This is not a place for Talmud or church fathers or rabbis or any such deviation from His Word.
Sabbath is a delight, and that being so, we can have enjoyment; however, to keep the day holy, one must consider his or her actions, doing nothing that would cause them to be unholy, unclean, or seen as wicked. Consider your music, or your walk, or your game. It is a time to rest, and a time to honor.
In time, and after many questions, the room becomes filled with sleepy eyes and children in blankets as the Sabbath candles dwindle away. We say Shabbat Shalom and hug our guests as they leave for home or our guest room. My wife and I pray and go to sleep. And we sleep in. Sabbath is a time for rest, after all.
Now to be sure a meal and celebration like that every week is a great blessing of fellowship, but it is not a must. Sometimes Sabbath can be just you and your family. At times we simply invite our group of friends over for a “cookies and midrash” session in the morning. There, with chocolate coffee with ginger cookies and muffins with pecans, we present a well studied and pleasant midrash. Keeping manners, we listen to those who attend as they discuss how to implement the joy of His Word into their lives. Ah, cookies and midrash, a most relaxing and spiritually renewing Sabbath tradition.
During the day of Sabbath, I love being awake, but I often sleep in. I wake up feeling refreshed and enjoy His peace. No thoughts of work. No concerns. Just peace. When I do rise from my chamber, I enjoy a simple breakfast. I have no traditional breakfast, but today I had almond butter and blueberries on cinnamon Challah with a glass of pre-homemade macadamia nut milk. Family and friends are pretty quite in the mornings as we read and pray. When something comes up to share it is shared, but everything is pretty quite. When the weather is nice, we all go for a walk. There are always opportunities to praise Him by admiring His handiwork in creation, or visiting Him at a nursing home or jail. After all, I read somewhere once that, “It is Lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Sometimes we will have things planned, but not often. Free yourself from the set rules of men and have peace in the Way of Yahoweh.
Deuteronomy 5:13-14 shows that the Sabbath rest is not just for us, but also that those who work for us are to rest. If we own a business, it is not acceptable to have all the employees working while we enjoy a restful Sabbath day. This commandment also includes anyone who we temporarily hire to work for us. For instance, when we go to restaurants, we are hiring the cook and the waiter and the person who rings up the bill, as servants to work for us. Also, anytime we make purchases on the Sabbath, such as groceries and other merchandise, we are hiring others to stock the shelves, clean up, and ring up the bill for us, because we are paying for their service when we purchase the items. Remember how sharply Nehemiah rebuked buying and selling on the Sabbath? Let us, therefore, not require correction in this. Let us live His desire.
It is good on this set apart time to rest, allow Yahoweh to share Scripture, worship, meet with brethren, listen to His Word, go outside and enjoy Creation, play Sabbath games, memorize Scripture, learn about Creation, enjoy Sabbath meals, talk about Yahoweh, talk to Yahoweh, do Yahoweh’s pleasure—not selfish pleasures—by visiting others, and keeping Holy conversation and thoughts.
Is it is a great loss on this set apart time to work by carrying burdens (give all your burdens to Him), cook (even Yahoweh Elohim would not prepare manna, as cooks need a break, too), buy (enslaving others to work while you rest is not a holy rest), sell (personal gain happens for six days; don’t trade this spiritual gain for it), have a mundane conversation (fights, arguments, football, and so forth), seek after personal pleasures (watch / listen to worldly entertainments) or light fires (He is our Light), or be without fellowship (how can such a gift be received if not also shared).
To guard the Sabbath then one must proclaim His Word in heart enough for action. There are so few rules concerning what is, or is not, to be done on Sabbath, that all of us are able. We are to have a gathering, not work, not light fire, not cook, not buy, not sell, not have mundane conversation, or seek after personal pleasures. It is a day of rest and a time where good work is sought. Legalism without heart and illegalism without heart, may attempt to tempt you, but don’t let them. Improve in what you know to do. If ever you are on a Sabbath walk, and you start debating if petting a cat is allowed on Sabbath, well, then laugh, pet the cat, and praise Yah. What you now know to do—do. What you now know to avoid—avoid.
It is a blessing to do exactly what our Heavenly Father asks us to do, and certainly He knows what is best for us. By keeping His set apart day set apart, by withdrawing ourselves from the world and its influences, to concentrating on keeping the day holy by worshiping Yahoweh, praying and studying the Scripture; it truly strengthens our faith, and it keeps us growing spiritually. He blessed this day for us, let us then bless Him in return.
The Sabbath calls our thoughts to the Creator. We take joy in the songs of birds, and sighing of trees, and the music of the sea. And as we behold His power in creation we find comfort, for the Word that created all things is life to the soul. Without love, Sabbath’s mere outward observance is a mockery.
We remember our Awesome Creator every day, but, on Sabbath, we take extra time to admire the magnificent Creator by offering up praise for such achievement. Does anyone give the glory due His Name? Consider the world if there were no flowers. Then one day a Friend brought you a rose. A living beauty. Then He tells you He has made thousands more, only different looking. Wow! Let us offer up the ecstatic amazement due Yahoweh for He is the Friend Who has done this! He is Awesome! Therefore, let our praise be awesome!
The close of Sabbath: The sun has set and His appointed time is over. Some savor the last piece of Challah and have a glass of wine overflowing, and some have more elabourate traditions for ending, separating, the 7th day. I simply pray. Giving thanks for His rest and for His love to be guiding us throughout this week. We close Sabbath and start our first day of the week by making our plans for work and fun, and also to set in motion our tithe and gift offerings. Will they go to Haiti? Will they go for Korean Bibles? Does someone need a visit or a card? A good way to end Sabbath so it is not depressing is to continue to be about, “my Father’s business.” Be sure to be ready next Sabbath to have a wonderful celebration again with your family, or even if it is alone, in a hospital, or in a prison. And always be ready to celebrate Sabbath someday with Yahoshuah Himself, in the Kingdom of the Master of Sabbath.
Let us take a moment to further go over what the Scriptures say concerning this matter. “For this command which I am commanding you today, it is not too hard for you, nor is it far off. It is not in the heavens, to say, ‘Who shall ascend into the heavens for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, to say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart—to do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). To do it!
The Messiah keeps Sabbath: Matthew 12:1-21.
Israel is to keep it: Exodus 31:13.
The people of Elohim is to keep it: Hebrews 4:9.
We are to keep it: Deuteronomy 29:14-21, Isaiah 56:2-7, Revelation 22:14-15, Isaiah 66:23, Mark 2:27.
Hence, on Sabbath:
We choose who we follow: 1 Corinthians 1:12-13, Luke 16:31, Matthew 15:9, Ezekiel 18:23, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 19:17, Exodus 16:4-5, 1 John 2:3-6, Daniel 7:24-25.
We remember we were slaves, and that Yahoweh delivered us: Deuteronomy 5:15.
We remember the Sabbath: Exodus 20:8-11, Genesis 2:2-3.
We do not seek to please ourselves or others, but rather Elohim: Deuteronomy 12:29-32, Galatians 1:10.
We keep the Sabbath Holy, not worldly: Exodus 20:8-11.
We do not cook on the Sabbath: Exodus 16:22-23.
We do not light fire: Exodus 35:3.
We do not work, such as treading a wine press, or labour in bringing in sheaves, nor load a donkey with a burden, nor sell food or goods on Sabbath: Nehemiah 13:15-18.
Small tasks are not burdens: John 5:10.
Small gatherings to eat is not harvesting: Luke 6:1-2.
We are to let no one judge us for keeping the Sabbath: Colossians 2:16.
We guard His Sabbath: Deuteronomy 15:4-5, Leviticus 19:30, John 14:15-17, Isaiah 56:2-7.
We keep from doing evil: Isaiah 56:2-7.
We do what is good and healing: John 7:23, John 5:16, Luke 6:7, Luke 13:14, Luke 13:15-16.
We rest on the Sabbath: Genesis 2:1-3, Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:10.
We labour for six days, not five: Exodus 20:8-11, Leviticus 23:3.
We, and our family, servants, animals, and our guests shall do no work: Exodus 20:8-11, Leviticus 23:3.
Even our land is not to be worked: Leviticus 26:34-35.
We speak the Torah every Sabbath with an assembly: Matthew 12:1-21, Luke 4:16, Acts 15:21.
“And we are His witnesses to these matters, and so also is the Set-apart Spirit whom Elohim has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32). To those who obey Him! If we follow Him, then we will keep the Sabbath, and with Him, we will call it a delight.
Be Blessed and be a Blessing.
Shabbat Shalom!
-Valentine Thalken Billingsley
If this blessed you, please share it.
Additional Scripture References:
Luke 13:14-16, Mark 3:4, Exodus 35:3, Leviticus 25:2-4, 2 Chronicles 36:21, Deuteronomy 5:12-14, Jeremiah 17:19-23
