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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain Exodus 31:15:

Exodus 31:12-17
Excerpted from: New Covenant Priesthood (Part 2)

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 31:15-17
Excerpted from: The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)

I want you to note that. It is "holy to the Lord." This is not something that men dreamed up. It does not say holy to certain denominations, or certain groups. It is holy to the Lord—set apart to Him, sanctified to Him. He Himself sanctified it, because it says that right in the Commandment.

We might speculate that the Fourth Commandment clearly identifies, and therefore, they who are carnal do not want to be identified with those who keep it. But God here in this covenant set how long this covenant is to be observed, adhered to: as long as there are generations of Israelites. Are there generations of Israelites continuing? Oh yes, you had better believe it. The generations continue, therefore this covenant continues.

He next says that the Sabbath and its roots go right back to Creation (or, we might say, Re-creation). He goes right back to Genesis 2 here, not Exodus 16. Do you get that? God places the beginning of the Sabbath at Creation, not Exodus 16, in order to confirm that their relationship is with the Creator. The relationship through the Sabbath did not begin at Exodus 16. Exodus 16 was only a reminder of what already existed.

Exodus 31:14-17
Excerpted from: Polluted Sabbath?

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 31:15-16
Excerpted from: The Commandments (Part Five)

That still is in force. God does not execute us the minute we break it. God gives us time, in His grace, in His mercy to grow in the understanding and the keeping of it. But if we persist in breaking that holy time and failing to keep the appointment that He has with His people, then the death penalty indeed will be executed by Him—the second death.

The generations of the children of Israel are still continuing. The Sabbath commandment is still in effect. As long as there are Israelite generations, the Sabbath is set apart for them. Now we are the Israel of God and we became that by means of a covenant and we are therefore to keep it.

Exodus 31:14-16
Excerpted from: Re-education (Part 1)

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!

The Sabbath Written By the Finger of God  

Articles

'Tis the Season: Help for Our Young People  
Countdown to Pentecost 2001  
Does Scripture Allow for Killing in Self-Defense?  
Israel: Past  
Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)  
What Did Jesus Do?  

Bible Studies

God's Sabbath  
The Fourth Commandment  

Booklets

'After Three Days'  
Guard the Truth!  

Essays

Did Christ's Resurrection Change the Day of Worship? (Part One)  
Remember the Sabbath Day  
Skipping Services? Consider Carefully  

Sermons

Stewards of the Mysteries of God  
The Sabbath: Creation  
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Four): God's Indictment  
Loving God's Law: The Thread of Reality  
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Four): Cultivating Peace  

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