WHY SABBATH (PART II)

What does the Bible have to say about Sabbath?

One of the Favorite Tools I have to study the Bible in my arsenal is BlueLetterBible.com a Web Based application you can download upon your cellular phone; or, accessible via Desktop.

I also use E-Sword which is likewise both accessible via Cellular Application or Desktop.

Both of these programs have strengths; and, weaknesses.
Both allow me to search via English; Hebrew; and, Greek.

Below I'm going to give you an example of how each program renders search results so you can see the differences. First I will show you How E-Sword Renders these search results. THEN I will show you Blueletterbible's.

E-Sword offers me many bibles to choose from. In the Very first image at the top if you click on it; the image will open in another screen where you can count just how many versions I have on my laptop.

Notice that both programs offer me the 137 Matches
and 116 Occurrences in the KJV.

This particular feature sets the two programs apart.

Notice how BlueLetterBible.com software offers us a snapshot view of EACH VERSION.

A  good student will do their best to intentionally locate all passages regarding subject material in their studies.  Below here is a screenshot of the Results by Book. This tells us what books this material shows up in; and, how frequently. 

Now. We also need to take into consideration where this word "Sabbath" in English also shows up in its plural form "Sabbaths." Let's use Blueletterbible.com and see how/where this plural form shows up, shall we? Friend this is the very first stage of studying out what the Bible has to say about "Sabbath(s)." 

Notice here that BLB (Blueletterbible.com) declares that "Sabbaths" (plural) shows up a total of 35 times.

Notice here ABOVE how the NKJV (New King James Version); which is what I use as my daily text, only lists 35 passages; however, the YLT (Young's Literal Translation) shows there are 50. Because of this I'm inclined to read; and, identify all the passages from the YLT text as well as the NKJV. 

We don't want to miss out on any of these passages. I want to most complete understanding of what the Bible's text is declaring to us about Sabbath / Sabbaths. 

Friend. We are engaging in what is called a "Topical Study."

However we are only utilizing right now the 66 books of the Bible's text and ignoring anything the Apocryphal books have to say about Sabbath / Sabbaths. 

We are also ignoring anything "Jewish Writings" (Mishnah, Gemara, Talmud) have to say about Sabbath / Sabbaths. 

So what IS the Sabbath? 

In Biblical Judaism there is a Sabbath (seventh day of rest) each week. 

Many Christian's will assert this is a "Jewish" thing. However Sabbath wasn't instituted by Jews. In fact there weren't even any "Jews" around when the Creator instituted the Sabbath. We can find it's mention in the Book of Genesis at the End of the Creation Week when the Creator himself rested.

There are 52 Weeks in a year. Meaning there are 52 Weekly Sabbaths.

However, the Weekly Sabbath's aren't the only "Sabbaths" in Biblical Judaism. 

There are also "High Sabbaths" which are connected to the Feasts themselves. 

Biblical Judaism (What Jesus practiced) contains a total of seven (7) commanded "feasts." These are detailed within Leviticus 23. The symbolism of the Menorah (A Seven Branched Golden Lampstand) that sat within the Temple itself (in the Holy of Holies) in Israel before the Destruction in 70AD allude to these seven (7) feasts called Moed'im in Hebrew. 

Art by Sefira Lightstone

Moed (singular)

Moed'im (plural)

The "im" at the end makes the term plural.

These Biblical feasts (MOED'IM) are (in order)

• Festival of Lots (Purim)
• Passover (Pesach aka "Unleavened Bread"). First and Last days are "Sabbaths."
• Pentecost (Shavu'ot)
  This particular "Feast" give us the timing of the year when the Written Torah was actually given at Mt. Sinai by YHVH. By the Messenger. By the one who was SEEN. We cannot see the Father. Nor can we see the Holy Spirit. But we CAN see the Image of the Invisible God. The Image that would become flesh; and, die for His people. This also happens to be the time of year when the Holy Spirit Descended upon the Apostles in the New Testament; and, they spoke in Tongues.
  
• Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) aka Rosh Ha Shannah (Head of the New Year)
• The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) 
• The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
• Chanukah (Not a Commanded Feast) 

Growing up in a "Christian" home (before I had ever studied Judaism vs. Biblical Judaism) I didn't really understand the significance of these feasts. Nor was I able at the time; to see how they are all about Messiah. They are all about Him; and, His sacrifice. 

Even Chanukah which itself is prophesied to connect to Blessings upon the Nation of Israel. Those whom YHVH calls Israel; not necessarily what the World calls Israel. They are not the same. I tell you the truth Haggai 2 teaches us that the first day of Chanukah is attached to the laying of the foundation of the Lord's Temple. 

Neither the first; nor, the second temple had their foundation stones laid in Chislev; the month of Chanukah .