Was the Sabbath just for the “Jewish” people? Is it not meant for the people of today, post-resurrection?
The New Testament gives insight into the identity of Israel as a whole
The Jewish people of Israel are only 2 of the 12 tribes of Israel. There are 10 other tribes. However, is it important to differentiate ourselves from the people of Israel? Let’s read what Paul has to say about this:
Hebrews 2:14-17
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
16 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
But why does Paul say that Jesus came for the offspring of Abraham and not the everyone, including the Gentiles?
Galatians 3:29
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
And how do we become Christ’s and the seed of Abraham?
1John 3:24
24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this, we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
We abide in him if we keep the commandments and attempt to walk as he walked.
1 John 2:3-6
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Jesus kept the commandments perfectly, including resting on the Sabbath day. We are supposed to attempt to keep the commandments in the same way Jesus himself did. Those of us who believe in Jesus, repent, turn from sin and try the best we can to follow God’s commandments are in Christ and are considered the seed of Abraham.
Isaiah 56:6-8
6 "Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants-- Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant--
7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."
8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him."
This is speaking of a future event where people who are not considered Israel at that time will be keeping the Sabbaths of God and He will gather them to his holy mountain. Notice that God basically says that those who do not observe His Sabbaths are defiling them. The foreigners of the land of Israel that God brings close to Him are those who do not defile the Sabbath. This should cause some who are not keeping the sabbath to at least investigate this topic further. To me, this sounds like a similar warning to churches who are of a similar spirit to the church of Laodicea. Lets finish up the verse in Hosea 2
Hosea 2:18
18 In that day I will make a covenant for them With the beasts of the field, With the birds of the air, And with the creeping things of the ground. Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, To make them lie down safely.
19 "I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy;
20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.
23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they shall say, 'You are my God!' "
The Sabbath is not just for the Jewish people of Israel, it was meant to be for all of God’s people, for the descendants of Abraham, Abraham’s seed which we are grafted into, we are a part of Israel.
Would you like to know more about the identity of Israel? Click here for more info: Exploring Israel’s Identity