Exodus 31:12-17

Verse 16 says that we are to observe the Sabbath "throughout their generations." That is, the generations of Israel. Does Israel continue to exist? Yes, it does. Therefore the generations of Israel are continuing. Therefore the covenant continues to go right on.

We have to first understand that the Sabbath is not a ceremonial ritual. The world designates it as such, and tosses it aside—saying that the principle of the Sabbath can be applied to any day. That is an argument that sounds good to the carnal mind, which is ever-ready to make adjustments to what God says to things that it (the carnal mind) finds to be 'more appropriate' to it. But as we can clearly see, it is not what God commands. God clearly commands that the Sabbath be kept throughout all the generations of Israel. Israel continues to this day, and the church is clearly designated (in Galatians 6:16) as the Israel of God. It belongs to God! He possesses it.

The Sabbath is not a ritual, but a commandment—one of the big Ten. It is a foundational law intended to provide instinctive guidance for the entirety of humanity's social life. It was made for man, and is just as much a part of God's character as the other nine commandments. It is one of the ten laws that define love toward God and fellow man. It is one of ten basic laws that regulate all relationships.

This series of verses shows that the keeping of it gives evidence to God, to ourselves, and to the world as to where God's sanctified ones are. The world may not understand or agree with it, but they are aware of it. It sets off our distinctiveness, and it thus provides a measure of witness showing forth the praises of God. However, we must thoroughly understand that it is not merely that we observe it—because there are others who also observe it. All that a Christian needs to do is to act as a Christian should, and, at the very least, he becomes an irritant to non-Christians—and to "Christians" who are fellowshipping with the church, but who are not doing things right. But regardless to which it goes—the witness is made. Jesus did everything right and it irritated the leadership of the Jews into killing Him, thus witnessing against them.

Exodus 31:14-17

We must keep God's Sabbath because it is one day in the week to focus solely on our sole reason for living: to become like our holy God. This is a day dedicated to qadash activity, activity that makes us pure and Godlike, holy like Him. This has been set apart by God for the recreation and cleansing process. It is different than the other six days. He ordained it to be different, to be holy, because He knew the world that we live in is full of too many distractions. (Our pastor warned us about this not too long ago.) So He called this day out to be special so that we do not think about those other things. This day is the day that is to be dedicated to thinking about Him and what He is doing for us in the sanctification process.

The Sabbath is holy because He made it holy with His holy presence. Just like He made the ground holy by the burning bush. Everyone who profanes it, defiles it, pollutes it, will be put to death, He says. How do we pollute God's Sabbath? By doing any of our work on it. By doing anything not aligned to God's qadash activity.

Exodus 31:14-16

The Sabbath identifies God's people as holy to Him. And unlike circumcision, which is a sign in the flesh, the Sabbath is a sign in one's conduct, and orientation. The Sabbath shows anyone who would notice where you look—that is what I mean by "orientation."

If you keep the Sabbath, you are oriented toward God, because you are obeying Him, following His example.

It is not only a sign of who you are; it is a sign of you who belong to! It is a sign of who you follow! It shows that we are doing as God did by resting—ceasing from our labors—becoming spiritually refreshed each week!