THE SABBATH AND ITS CHRISTIAN SIGNIFICANCE
by David Kiern
While most of the Biblical Feasts are kept once a year, one of them is joyfully celebrated every single week. And I bet you know which one...
Delve into the captivating world of the Biblical Feasts in the sixth chapter of our book, I AM ISRAEL: The Believer's Guide to the the Rebirth of the Promised Land. Explore each Holiday, their ancient Jewish customs and how they are celebrated today in Israel. Plus, discover the Christian significance that can be found in each Holy Day.
Here's an excerpt that explores everybody's favorite day of the week. I hope you enjoy!
Shabbat: The First Feast
God desires to commune with His people as He once did in the Garden of Eden, and the Sabbath is a reflection of that. Shabbat is the first appointed time God invites His people to observe in Scripture.
It begins every Friday night at sundown and lasts until Saturday night, ending just after sunset. Just as a wedding ring is a sign between husband and wife, the Sabbath is a sign of love between God and Israel.
The Sabbath is more than a day of resting from work. It is a day set apart from the other days of the week to honor God, spend precious time with one's family, study the scriptures, worship with other Believers and enjoy God's creation.
Jewish Customs of The Sabbath
For anyone who has been to Israel, you know that Shabbat is the most celebrated day of the week. Jews begin wishing people "Shabbat Shalom" days in advance, anticipating the joy of the day. Work ceases early Friday afternoon. Families clean their homes and dress in nice clothing before dinner.
Modern times have brought modern customs. Observant Jews power down their cell phones and computers, and take a break from tv-watching and social media. Men attend Friday evening prayer in the local synagogue, then walk home for Shabbat dinner.
The heart of the Sabbath takes place inside the home around the family table. Candles are lit and delicious foods are served on fine dishes. Blessings are spoken over the women and the children. Prayers are prayed over the wine and two loaves of bread, symbols of the blessings of heaven. Songs of praise and thanksgiving are sung. Dinner conversation is elevated, and discussing Torah and God's blessings of the previous week is common.
There is a famous saying that provides a clue to the survival of the Jews as a people and culture over the last four millennia. "The Jews didn't keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath kept the Jews."
Christian Significance of The Sabbath
It seems like Yeshua's favorite day of the week to heal His fellow Jews was on the Sabbath. Through His miracles — reviving the health of the sick and healing people from physical sufferings — Yeshua taught His disciples that Shabbat was made for man as a day of restoration for the body and the spirit.
“Yeshua returned in the power of the Spirit to the Galilee, and news about Him went out through all the surrounding region. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone was praising Him. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been raised. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on Shabbat, and He got up to read.”
- LUKE 4
The early Jewish disciples and Gentile believers observed the Sabbath faithfully, documenting some of their greatest sermons as having taken place on Shabbat. The book of Acts alone records seven Sabbath meetings of the apostles, including Paul’s year-long Sabbath ministry in Corinth.
Parallels between the future Messianic Kingdom, written about in Revelation as the 1000-Year Millennial Reign of Messiah, and the Shabbat are profound. For Christians, we are invited to enter the Sabbath and experience a foretaste of that coming Kingdom.
Showcasing over 550 stunning photographs, illustrated maps and powerful stories, I AM ISRAEL: The Believer’s Guide to the Rebirth of the Promised Land unveils the inspiring story of Israel in a way that will make your spirit soar!
Through this book, you will:
Explore the epic regions...
of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the Coastlands, the Galilee and Golan Heights.
Meet Jewish pioneers...
who are returning to their ancient homeland... just as the Bible foretold thousands of years ago.
Discover the stories of Christian heroes...
who played a pivotal role in the re-establishment of the Nation of Israel and helped the sons and daughters of Abraham in their greatest time of need.
Learn about the Biblical Feasts...
from Passover to the Feast of Tabernacles—and see how they are celebrated in Israel.
Go behind-the-scenes...
of our award-winning documentary, I AM ISRAEL, to learn how we creatively brought the story to life.
Read more about the Biblical Feasts in our new hardcover coffee table book, I AM ISRAEL: The Believer's Guide to the Rebirth of the Promised Land.
