Sabbath for Hebrew is Shabbath which means intermission or cessation from work. Sabbath means rest day. When God finished the work that he (God) was doing, so on the seventh day he rested from his work. God blessed the seventh day and make it a holy day. God made it special because on that day he rested from all the work he did while creating the world this written in (Genesis 2:2-3). And this was the law given by God himself, in (Exodus 20:8) “You must remember to keep the Sabbath a special day.”
Why was Sabbath for Israel?
Sabbath was only for Israel (Exodus 16:29; Ezra 20:12) because to Israel the seventh day was a memorial of deliverance from slavery under pharaoh (Deuteronomy 5:15). And this was the sign between the Lord and the Israelites forever. They must continue to do this forever. It is an agreement between them and me that will continue forever. (Exodus 31:17, 16)
Things to do on Sabbath?
- You must remember to keep the Sabbath a special day. (Exodus 20:8)
- To do rest on Sabbath in honor of the Lord your God. (Exodus 20:9)
Things not to do on Sabbath?
- Seventh-day no work. Your sons and daughter, or men or women slaves. Even animals and the foreigners living in your cities must not work. (Exodus 20:9)
- Stay where you are (Exodus 16:29).
Agreement between Israelites and God.
- The Agreement was to kill the person who breaks the Shabbath. It is written in (Exodus 31:15-17) says, “There are six other days in the week for working. But the seventh day is a very special day of rest. That is a special day to honor the Lord. Anyone who works during the Shabbath must be killed. The Israelites must remember the Shabbath and make it a special day. They must continue to do this forever. The Shabbath will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever.”
- Even not to cook food (Exodus 16:23)