The Sabbath Day is Still Saturday
August 23, 2022
Commentary
God told Jeremiah to stand at the gate of the people (v. 19). Which gate this was is unknown, though it is identified as the gate through which the kings go in and out. The spot was selected because of the large number of people who passed by. Possibly this was the Eastern Gate that led from the temple mount to the Kidron Valley. Whatever the gate’s location, Jeremiah did not stay there. He was to take his message to all the other gates so that the whole city would hear it.
His message to those who passed through these gates was to keep the Sabbath Day holy (vv. 20-24). This was in contrast with their forefathers who disobeyed what they were to honor; the day God had set aside by not doing any work on it. Faithfulness to the Law would bring blessing (vv. 25-27). If the people obeyed God’s commandments, Jerusalem would be inhabited forever. People would flock to the city from all over. These people would bring their offerings and sacrifices to the temple. However, if they would not obey God’s injunction on the Sabbath He would kindle a fire of judgment that would consume her fortresses and leave her defenseless (Jer. 49:27).
A mechanical obedience to the Sabbath law wasn’t what God wanted, but obedience that came from their hearts because they loved the Lord. God had reasons for instituting the Sabbath. Once again there is a promise that blessing will follow obedience, but judgment will follow disobedience.
Application
Nine of the ten commandments are repeated in the New Testament epistles for believers to obey, but the Sabbath Law isn’t among them. I am free to honor special days as I feel convicted by the Lord (Col. 2:16-17). However (Heb. 10:25) says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."
Jeremiah 17:19– 27 (NET)
19 The Lord told me, “Go and stand in the People’s Gate through which the kings of Judah enter and leave the city. Then go and stand in all the other gates of the city of Jerusalem. 20 And then announce to them, ‘Listen to the Lord’s message, you kings of Judah, and everyone from Judah, and all you citizens of Jerusalem, those who pass through these gates. 21 The Lord says, Be very careful if you value your lives! Do not carry any loads in through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. 22 Do not carry any loads out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day. But observe the Sabbath day as a day set apart to the Lord, as I commanded your ancestors. 23 Your ancestors, however, did not listen to me or pay any attention to me. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or to respond to any discipline.’ 24 The Lord says, ‘You must make sure to obey me. You must not bring any loads through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day. You must set the Sabbath day apart to me. You must not do any work on that day. 25 If you do this, then the kings and princes who follow in David’s succession and ride in chariots or on horses will continue to enter through these gates, as well as their officials and the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem. This city will always be filled with people. 26 Then people will come here from the towns in Judah, from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin, from the foothills, from the southern hill country, and from the southern part of Judah. They will come bringing offerings to the temple of the Lord: burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, and incense along with their thank offerings. 27 But you must obey me and set the Sabbath day apart to me. You must not carry any loads in through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. If you disobey, I will set the gates of Jerusalem on fire. It will burn down all the fortified dwellings in Jerusalem and no one will be able to put it out.’”
Illustration: Vernon McGee The Sabbath Day Hasn’t Changed
J. Vernon McGee told of a man who came to him and said, “I’ll give you $100 if you will show me where the Sabbath day has been changed.” McGee answered, “I don’t think it has been changed. Saturday, the seventh day is still Saturday, and it is still the Sabbath day.” He got a gleam in his eye and said, “Then why don’t you keep the Sabbath day if it hasn’t been changed?” McGee answered, “the DAY hasn’t changed, but I have been changed. I am joined to Christ; I am a part of the new creation. We celebrate the first day because that is the day He rose from the grave.” That is what it means that the ordinances have been nailed to the cross, (Col. 2:14). (Source unknown).