The Sabbath Explained: God of Israel’s Everlasting Covenant with the Israelites
The Sabbath. This is the day is where it all begins. This is the day that the God of Israel marked between Him and His chosen people, the Israelites:
"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a everlasting covenant."
Exodus 31:16
The Sabbath day holds profound significance in the life of us Hebrews. It is far more than a weekly day of rest. The Sabbath is a sacred sign of the everlasting covenant between the God of Israel and us Israelites.
From the earliest foundations of Scripture, the Sabbath is presented as a divine appointment, set apart by the Most High Himself and given specifically to His people as a mark of identity, love, and relationship.
As shown above in the Book of Exodus 31:16, the passage clearly establishes the Sabbath as a perpetual command, intended to be observed throughout all generations of the Israelites. It is not temporary, symbolic only, or optional. It is an eternal sign of belonging.
A Day of Rest
The Sabbath is a day set apart. It is holy time, a family day, distinct from the other six days of the week. While the world continues to rush, labour, and strive, we Israelites are commanded to stop. This act of rest is an act of faith. By resting, we Hebrews declare trust in our as our Provider, Sustainer, and Creator. The Sabbath invites reflection, spiritual renewal, and intentional communion with the Most High.
Family Day
The Sabbath is also deeply relational. Scripture reveals that the God of Israel entered into a covenant relationship with the Israelites that is often described using the language of marriage. When the covenant was given, Israel became the wife of the Most High. Like any loving husband, the God of Israel desires time, presence, and connection with His wife. The Sabbath is that appointed time.
Spending time together is a clear expression of love in any marriage. In the same way, the Sabbath is a weekly expression of divine love and commitment. The God of Israel set aside this day so that He and His people could dwell together, free from distractions, labour, and worldly demands. This is one of the key reasons the Sabbath is described as a sign forever between the Most High and the Israelites.
The Sabbath is also a powerful reminder of creation. The Bible teaches that the God of Israel created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. By observing the Sabbath, the Hebrews acknowledge Him as the Creator of all things. Sabbath observance is a declaration that creation belongs to the Most High and that time itself is under His authority.
All Races Have Theri Own Ancient Customs
For us Israelites, the Sabbath reinforces identity. It distinguishes them from other nations and cultures. While other nations follow their own ancient customs (Eid, Diwali, Chnese New Year, Ramadam etc), the Sabbath marks us Israelites as a people set apart. It is a visible, lived expression of the covenant relationship between the God of Israel and His chosen people, the Hebrews.
Spiritual Restoration
The Sabbath is also a gift. It brings restoration to the soul, balance to life, and order to faith. It reminds the Hebrews that their worth is not found in endless labour but in their relationship with the Most High. Rest becomes an act of obedience, humility, and trust.
While the world often dismisses rest as weakness, the Sabbath stands as a divine command rooted in love. It calls the Israelites back to remembrance, back to our covenant, and back to intimacy with the God of Israel. The Sabbath is not merely about stopping work. It is about starting connection.
From generation to generation, the Sabbath will remain a living sign of the everlasting covenant. It declares that the God of Israel is faithful, that His love endures, and that His relationship with the Israelites is unbroken.
Judith Asher, Author of The True Hebrews Book series