This chapter gives us seven appointed feasts throughout the calendar year for the Israelites to observe as holy convocations to draw near to the LORD their God. They are: the Sabbath (vv. 1–3); the Passover (vv. 4–8); the Feast of Firstfruits (vv. 9-14); the Feast of Weeks (vv. 15-22); the Feast of Trumpets (vv. 23-25); the Day of Atonement (vv. 26-32); and the Feast of Booths (vv. 33-43).

There are only three verses in today’s devotional sharing. Verses 1-2 introduce the whole chapter of the appointed feasts that God spoke through Moses and commanded the Israelites to observe.

Verse 3 starts with the first feast: Keeping the Sabbath Day. 3 “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places.

The Jews celebrate the Sabbath Day by keeping it on the seventh day. Clear instructions are given to observe the Sabbath day: (1) It is a day of solemn rest: meaning, a rest day from work. The command is not to do any work. (2) It is also a holy convocation; the people of God are to gather for a day of celebration and make it a holy assembly. (3) And it is a day set aside “to the LORD” or for the Lord.

If the Lord has established the Sabbath Day for the Jews as an appointed feast day of God, is there an equivalent day for Christians to observe as a “Sabbath Day” set aside for the Lord with the same three meanings and purposes above?

In today’s context, some people might find it difficult or impossible to keep the “seventh day” holy to the Lord, or even for themselves to rest. They think or feel that they themselves or their work are irreplaceable or indispensable. They must be at their workplace 24/7 or else some things would go wrong. But God said otherwise. His command is, “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day … you shall do no work.” (v. 3) In fact God Himself set the example in Genesis 2:2-3. It says,

2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us make no mistakes that God wants us to take a rest day on the seventh day, and he has made it a rhythm for us. He has even made it a command – to get our attention – that this is his will for us. Let us obey the Lord and trust him to provide for all our needs when we do not work on the seventh day.

Besides, he wants his people to observe the rest day as a day of holy convocation, for his people to draw near to God together. It is not only for us; it is also for him. The Jews observe the Sabbath Day on the seventh day. It happens when the sun goes down on Friday night to the setting of the sun on Saturday.

As believers in Christ, we celebrate the first day of the week to commemorate that our Lord Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. It is the Lord’s Day that we set aside for our worship service or holy assembly. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10)

May we be reminded to set aside the Lord’s Day as holy to him and prepare ourselves to observe a holy convocation that is pleasing to him. And as we come, let us draw near to him and experience his presence for he has promised that he will also draw near to us. (James 4:8; Hebrews 10:24-25)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you have set aside the feasts so that Israel might observe them and experience your presence. In the same way, thank you for the Lord’s Day, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, and Christmas that we might remember your love and how you have sent your Son for us. May we seek to observe these days with meaning and purpose. Amen!