Sabbatical: Brief Old Testament Survey

Sabbatical Is a Biblical principle • from Hebrew shabbat, i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing" The concept of a sabbatical has a source in several places in the Bible, where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year. In the strict sense therefore, a sabbatical lasts a year. The foundational Bible passage is Genesis 2:2 and 3, in which God rested (literally, "ceased" from his labour) after creating the universe, and it is applied to people (Jew and Gentile, slave and free) and even to beasts of burden in one of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). Key Old Testament passages God ceased from labour after creating the universe. (Genesis 2:2 & Genesis 3) A Sabbath year of rest is instituted after every 6 years of labour. This is to refresh the animals, servants, families and other people. (Exodus 23:10-12, Leviticus 25:1-6) Sabbaths are a sign between us and God, for all generations, that it is God who sanctifies us. Sabbaths are holy and a covenant between us and God forever. This was spoken by God to Moses on mount Sinai. (Exodus 31:12-16) The day of atonement, in the seventh month, is described as a sabbath, a day of solemn rest when we shall afflict (or humble) ourselves, remembering God's atonement for our sins. This is recorded as a statute forever. (Leviticus 16, especially verse 29-31) God instructed Moses to keep his Sabbath and reverence his sanctuary, because he is the LORD, and it is an expression of his holiness. (Leviticus 19:30) Keeping God's statutes allowed the Israelites to dwell in the land securely. God commanded a blessing on the sixth year that the crops would produce enough for three years. (Leviticus 25:18-22) Part of God's punishments have been to enforce Sabbaths when people neglect to observe them. (Leviticus 16:34&35 and 2 Chronicles 36:20&21) For priests, Levites and guards the Sabbath was used as a marker for rotations which were staggered, not all taking the Sabbath day at the same time. (2 Kings 11:5 and 2 Chronicles 23:4)

The nobles of Judah had to be confronted and the Sabbath enforced, even by threat of violence, by Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 15:13-22) Psalm 92, a psalm for the Sabbath, reminds of God's greatness and his blessings, even in our old age. (Psalm 92) God promises wonderful blessings for people who keep his Sabbaths, including for the foreigners joy in the house of prayer. This is followed by a warning for irresponsible leaders. (Isaiah 56) Alongside true fasting, if we delight in the Sabbath we delight in the LORD and we will ride on the heights of the earth. (Isaiah 58:13&14) Jeremiah was called by God to remind the people of the blessing of keeping the Sabbath holy, and the threat of the destruction of Jerusalem if they did not listen. (Jeremiah 17:19-27) Part of God's discipline was to make Zion forget festivals and Sabbaths, and even to scorn his altar. (Lamentations 2:6&7) Ezekiel was called by God, in the seventh year, to warn the elders of Israel of their continuing rebellion. God spoke through Ezekiel, saying "I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them" (Ezekiel 20:12). Profaning the Sabbaths was part of rejecting God's statutes and setting eyes on their father's idols. God describes it as "dealing treacherously" with him. (Ezekiel 20:1-32) Disregarding the Sabbaths is part of the prophets, priests and princes failings in which God could not find a man to build up the all and stand in the breach. (Ezekiel 22:23-31) Although God removes Sabbaths as part of his punishment for unfaithfulness he does allure us, speaking tenderly to restore us, providing a door of hope. (Hosea 2 especially 11, 14&15)

Chris Ryall 23 May 2009