Sabbath rest

Good morning friends,
Today's ordinances begin with a focus on the Sabbath. Notice that sabbath rest is not only the seventh day, but also the seventh year. Also, the Sabbath is partly about worship, but also is a gift to allow us the rest we need, but often won't take. As usual, there is a special focus on the need of the vulnerable to rest as well. The other rules talk about more "religious" matters: celebrations, worship and dietary law. These laws give us a picture of how God wanted Israel's life to be. I think a little focus on Sabbath rest would be good for us as well in our crazy, constantly running culture. This is the Commandment I have the most trouble following, but I try to remind myself that it is one of the Ten Commandments for a reason.

Blessings,
Sam

Exodus 23:10-19

10For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; 11but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. 12Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest, so that your ox and your donkey may have relief, and your homeborn slave and the resident alien may be refreshed.



13Be attentive to all that I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips. 14Three times in the year you shall hold a festival for me. 15You shall observe the festival of unleavened bread; as I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. No one shall appear before me empty-handed. 16You shall observe the festival of harvest, of the first fruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall observe the festival of ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. 17Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God. 18You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my festival remain until the morning. 19The choicest of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.