The Ten Commandments, stand as a monumental and foundational text, not just for the Israelites at Mount Sinai, but for all who seek to understand God's will and live a righteous life. More than a simple list of "dos and don'ts," these commandments are a divine blueprint for flourishing human existence—they detail how we are to rightly relate to our Creator and how we are to rightly relate to one another. As we embark on this study, we are invited to look beyond the surface rules and engage in the continuous process of self-reflection and alignment with God's guidance. Our goal is to uncover the deep wisdom, the sacrificial love, and the enduring relevance of these ten statements, allowing them to shape a stronger, more Christ-centered foundation in our own faith and priorities.
This session is centered around the fourth commandment Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
God wants us to delight in His Word, enjoy his creation, celebrate beauty and love, and rejoice in the harvest. God intended for his people to enjoy their relationship with Him and each other by valuing the Sabbath. The Sabbath is set apart to connect with God and with other people. No one was excluded from the command to rest – even foreigners, servants, and livestock were called to take a break from work on the Sabbath. It was to be a blessing for all of creation. "...The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27)
Exodus 20:1-3 NIV [1] And God spoke all these words: [2] “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. [3] “You shall have no other gods before me.
The 10 Commandments is what is called a decalogue. The word "Decalogue" comes from the Greek term deka logoi, meaning "ten words" or "ten sayings," which is also a direct translation of the original Hebrew phrase.
More generally, the term can be used to describe any fundamental set of rules or principles that carries binding authority or serves as a foundational moral or ethical code. This set of rules were divinely revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai and inscribed on two stone tablets. We know the story.
The Ten Commandments are still seen as vital for Christians because they summarize God's unchanging moral will for humanity.
Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
The commandments are broken up into 2 groups: commandments 1-4 cover the vertical relationship between man and God, and commandments 5-10 cover the horizontal relationship between our neighbor.
We started with the first commandment
Exodus 20:3 NIV You shall have no other gods before me.
We said that his commandment serves as the foundation and summary for all ten. If you break the First Commandment, you automatically set yourself up to break the others. Then we studied the second commandment.
Exodus 20:4-6 NIV [4] “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. [5] You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
This commandment addresses two critical aspects of worship: the method and the motive. God forbids the creation of physical representations (carved image or any likeness) of Himself or of anything in creation for the purpose of worship.
The last time that we met we studied the third Commandment,
Exodus 20:7 NIV “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
The core idea of treating God's name as empty, false, worthless, or meaningless applies to how we speak about Him, how we make promises in His presence, and how we live our lives as His representatives.
Now we come to the fourth commandment which bridges our relationship with God, and the following commandments which address our relationships with others.
Fourth Commandment is the bridge because it is rooted in our vertical duty to God (rest because God rested), but its immediate, practical application involves a horizontal responsibility to our neighbor (rest for your servants and others). This makes it the pivotal point where the foundation of loving God transitions into the practice of loving neighbor.
Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 NIV [12] “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. [13] Six days you shall labor and do all your work, [14] but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. [15] Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
God wants us to delight in His Word, enjoy his creation, celebrate beauty and love, and rejoice in the harvest. God intended for his people to enjoy their relationship with Him and each other by valuing the Sabbath. The Sabbath is set apart to connect with God and with other people. No one was excluded from the command to rest – even foreigners, servants, and livestock were called to take a break from work on the Sabbath. It was to be a blessing for all of creation.
Here is a breakdown of the key differences between Exodus 20:8–11 and Deuteronomy 5:12–15:
1. The Reason for Observing the Sabbath
This is the most significant difference and reflects a shift in emphasis:
2. The Introductory Verb
The starting verb for the command is different in the Hebrew, though the overall meaning is the same:
Exodus 20:8 begins with "Remember" (Zakhor).
Deuteronomy 5:12 begins with "Observe" (Shamor).
Rabbinic tradition explains that God miraculously spoke both words—"Remember" (which implies the positive action of sanctifying the day, such as with prayer or Kiddush) and "Observe" (which implies the negative action of refraining from work)—simultaneously.
3. Scope of Those Who Must Rest (Slight Expansion)
While both lists include "your son or your daughter, your male or female servant, and your stranger who is within your gates," Deuteronomy includes a few additional details:
Exodus mentions "your cattle."
Deuteronomy is more specific, listing "your ox, your donkey, or any of your animals," and adds the phrase: "that your male and female servant may rest as well as you."
This expansion in Deuteronomy reinforces the humanitarian emphasis on sharing the gift of rest with everyone in the household, including those who are otherwise subject to your labor.
The Foundation: Rest and Creation
The reason given for the Sabbath is rooted in the Creation narrative. God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. This establishes a divine pattern for human life, emphasizing that rest is not just a cessation of work, but a holy act that acknowledges God as the Creator and Sustainer.
Genesis 2:2-3: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
Reflection Point: Do we view rest as a luxury or as a necessary rhythm established by God Himself? Observing the Sabbath is an act of faith, trusting that God can sustain us even when we pause our labor.
2. The Purpose: Deliverance and Compassion
A second reason for the Sabbath is given in
Deuteronomy 5:12-15, emphasizing the theme of deliverance from slavery.
Deuteronomy 5:15: "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day."4
The Sabbath became a reminder that Israel was no longer enslaved to Pharaoh's endless demands. It was a day of freedom not just for them, but also for everyone in their household, including servants, foreigners, and even animals.
Jesus emphasized that the Sabbath was meant to serve human need and compassion.
He healed the sick,
Luke 13:10-17 NIV [10] On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, [11] and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. [12] When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” [13] Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. [14] Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” [15] The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? [16] Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” [17] When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
He also said "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"
Mark 2:23-28 NIV [23] One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. [24] The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” [25] He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? [26] In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” [27] Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. [28] So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
1. The Letter of the Law (The Pharisees' Interpretation)
The Fourth Commandment simply says, "You shall not do any work." Over centuries, Jewish tradition, particularly led by the Pharisees, created an exhaustive list of 39 categories of prohibited work and countless sub-rules to define what constituted "work."
The Error: They elevated their detailed human traditions (the "fence" around the Law) to the same level as God's divine command. They became so focused on the rule (no work) that they lost sight of the reason for the rule (rest, worship, and mercy).
Healing as "Work": The Pharisees classified acts like kneading dough, tying a knot, or lighting a fire as "work." They viewed healing (especially non-life-threatening healing, like straightening the crippled woman) as an unnecessary labor that could have waited until the next day, thus violating the letter of their Sabbath laws.
2. The Spirit of the Law (Jesus' Interpretation)
Jesus argued that the purpose of the Sabbath was far greater than their rules. He cut through the technicalities by appealing to two higher, foundational principles:
A. The Principle of Mercy and Compassion
Jesus argued that the highest principle of the Law is love and mercy.
We just read in Mark about His disciples for picking grain
There is another account of this same issue in Matthew where Jesus quotes something that Hosea wrote.
Matthew 12:1-8 NIV [1] At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. [2] When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” [3] He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? [4] He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. [5] Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? [6] I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. [7] If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. [8] For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Hosea 6:6 NIV For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He was choosing mercy (restoring a person to health and wholeness) over the ritual sacrifice of legalistic observance.
Example (Man with the Withered Hand - Matthew 12:12): Jesus asked, "How much more valuable is a person than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” He was saying the Law exists to preserve life and well-being, not to prevent it. A rule that prevents an act of compassion is being observed contrary to God's ultimate will.
B. The Principle of the Sabbath's True Purpose
Jesus provided the foundational principle for the Sabbath itself, revealing its true spirit in Mark 2:27:
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
This statement shifts the focus:
Man for the Sabbath (Letter): Implies humanity is a slave to a calendar day, existing only to fulfill its rigid requirements, regardless of human need.
Sabbath for Man (Spirit): Implies the day is a gift—a divine instrument designed to bless, refresh, and heal humanity (physically, socially, and spiritually).
Jesus was demonstrating that if the Sabbath is meant to bring rest, freedom, and blessing, then an act that brings ultimate rest and freedom (healing from years of infirmity) perfectly honors
3. The Fulfillment: Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath
In the New Testament, Jesus declares His authority over the institution of the Sabbath, shifting the focus from rigid rule-keeping to relationship and purpose.
Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus invites us to true rest: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
The Sabbath principle, for the believer, points to the spiritual rest found in Christ. While many Christians observe Sunday (the Lord's Day, the day of Christ's resurrection) as a primary day of worship and rest, the core principle remains: setting aside intentional time to stop, worship, and refocus on God's will.
Hebrews 4:9-11: "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest..."
This passage connects the physical rest of the Sabbath to the eternal rest we look forward to in God's presence, and the rest we find now by ceasing to rely on our own efforts for salvation and trusting completely in Christ.
Integrating the Commandment into Our Lives
The Fourth Commandment is a continuous challenge to align our priorities with God's will by putting an intentional rhythm of rest and worship into our lives. It helps us avoid the modern form of slavery: busyness and constant productivity.
Study Questions for Reflection
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV [28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
What does it mean for you to find "rest for your soul" in Christ, and how does that connect to your observance of a day of rest?
1. Understanding "Rest for Your Soul"
The "weariness and burdens" Jesus addresses here are not just physical tiredness, but primarily the spiritual exhaustion that comes from two things:
The Weight of Sin: The guilt, shame, and continuous effort required to manage life separated from God.
The Burden of Law: The pressure of trying to earn God's favor by perfectly keeping the Law (including the Sabbath rules, which had become overly complex and burdensome by Jesus' time).
To find "rest for your soul" in Christ means:
Cessation from Self-Effort: It is rest from trying to justify yourself through your own actions or religious performance. You cease your "works" of righteousness and rely entirely on Christ's finished work on the cross.
Peace with God: The anxiety of separation from God is replaced by the peace of reconciliation. As Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Freedom from Legalism: Jesus replaces the heavy yoke of religious rules with His "easy yoke" and "light burden" (Matthew 11:30). This rest is found in a relationship, not in rigid regulation.
2. Connecting Spiritual Rest to the Physical Sabbath
The Fourth Commandment, to "Remember the Sabbath day," finds its ultimate meaning in this spiritual rest:
Conclusion and Practical Alignment
The connection is that the physical observance of a day of rest should be an outward expression and practice of the inward reality of spiritual rest we have in Jesus.
Stop Working: When you intentionally stop your professional, academic, or domestic labors for a day, you are practically saying: "My identity and worth are not defined by what I do, but by what Christ has done."
Seek Delight: When you use your day of rest to engage in worship, reflection, and life-giving activities, you are actively choosing to align your priorities with God's will—that relationship and communion with Him are the source of true joy.
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