Topical Encyclopedia
Sabbath RestThe concept of the Sabbath rest is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, beginning with the creation account in Genesis. The term "Sabbath" comes from the Hebrew word "Shabbat," meaning "to cease" or "to rest." In
Genesis 2:2-3 , it is recorded, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."
The Sabbath rest is further codified in the Ten Commandments, where it is presented as a divine ordinance for the people of Israel.
Exodus 20:8-11 states, "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 manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."
The Sabbath rest serves multiple purposes: it is a time for physical rest, spiritual renewal, and a reminder of God's creation and deliverance. In
Deuteronomy 5:15 , the Sabbath is also linked to the Israelites' liberation from Egypt: "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and 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."
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ addresses the Sabbath, emphasizing its intended purpose for humanity's benefit. In
Mark 2:27 , Jesus declares, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." This statement underscores the Sabbath as a gift from God, designed to meet human needs for rest and worship.
Holy ConvocationThe term "holy convocation" refers to a sacred assembly or gathering, often associated with the observance of the Sabbath and other appointed feasts in the biblical calendar. The concept is introduced in
Leviticus 23, where God outlines the appointed feasts for the Israelites, each marked by a holy convocation.
Leviticus 23:3 states, "For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live." This passage highlights the dual nature of the Sabbath as both a day of rest and a time for communal worship and reflection.
Holy convocations are also associated with other significant feasts, such as Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Each of these occasions involves a gathering of the community for worship, sacrifice, and celebration, as outlined in
Leviticus 23.
The purpose of a holy convocation is to bring the community together in the presence of God, fostering a sense of unity and shared faith. It serves as a reminder of God's covenant with His people and His ongoing provision and protection.
In the New Testament, the early Christian community continued the practice of gathering for worship, teaching, and fellowship, as seen in
Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." While the specific observance of the Sabbath and holy convocations evolved with the advent of Christianity, the underlying principles of rest, worship, and community remain central to the faith.
