Leviticus 23:3(b) The Order of the Sacred Seasons
The Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3)
First comes the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3): first, because to this end all things were tending and because the man who does not observe the Sabbath will not obey any other of God’ s laws. He will have no appreciation of God’ s goodness and purpose, for the Sabbath is an emblem of a God satisfied with the magnificent preparation He has made for man. The primary thought of the Sabbath is that of a memorial. Every returning Sabbath is a reminder of God’ s care and kindness for man, and not His tiredness because of creation. The man who neglects the observance of the Sabbath thereby indicates that he has no interest in the past and no part in the future, for the Sabbath is prophetic and looks forward to the future home which God is preparing, just as it is historic and looks backward to the magnificent home which God did prepare for man (Genesis 2:1-25; Genesis 3:1-24).
The Sabbath should be kept nationally, and a curse was pronounced upon Israel for not keeping it. Indeed, it was for this reason that the nation was cast out, and the land has lain barren for so many centuries. No nation can long endure that ignores the Sabbath day.
The Sabbath is to be kept individually also. Emphatic are the words “ in all thy dwellings,” thereby indicating that every home should bear upon it the stamp of Sabbath keeping. God pity the home, the state, the nation that has no recognition of the Sabbath day. The Sabbath is a blessing. It was made for man.