Commentaries:
Moses is repeating himself here, perhaps for emphasis. He had already told the Israelites that:
- They should gather manna for six days
- The seventh day is a Sabbath—a day of rest
- There would be none for them to gather on the Sabbath Day.
John Plunkett
Because God rested after six days of labor, the Sabbath is also our day of rest and a memorial of Creation. He wants us to remember, not only what He did in the physical creation, but also that His spiritual creation continues in us now. When God blessed and sanctified the seventh day, He made it holy, set apart for God's use! Only God can make a day holy, and He does this by putting Himself, through His Spirit, into it.
We are then instructed to "keep" it holy. Various scriptures give examples of things God prohibits on His Sabbath: working, cooking, carrying burdens. God does not make a comprehensive list of "dos and don'ts" for us to follow. Instead, He gives us principles of what is proper and improper Sabbath behavior, and we then must use God's Spirit to decide our actions.
Martin G. Collins
The Fourth Commandment
Related Topics:
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Exodus 16:16-18
Joshua 5:2-12
Joshua 5:10
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