Elizabeth's Page

This page is dedicated to issues, or topics, my wife feels need to be addressed.  As with the entire site, it will be a continual work in progress.  The content of this page will vary, but will be well written and timely.  It is our prayer that you will find this page uplifting, informative, and educational. 

Take a Day Off

Elizabeth Kramer

From the beginning of creation, God gave man the example of taking a day off.  On the seventh day God rested from all His work (Genesis 2:2-3).  This was the pattern man was to follow.  When Israel was established as the people of God, the observance of Sabbath became included as one of the commandments (Exodus 21:11).  Then Jesus clarified for us that the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27).  Therefore, the day of rest is God’s gift to man.

The seventh day of every week is to be treated as a holiday, a joyful day, a family day, a day for relaxing, a day for communal worship, a day of thanking God.  We are to take a break from the routine work of the week.  We are not to finish anything left from the previous week or start anything new for the coming week.

Historically for 4,000 years, the seventh day, today we know it as Saturday, was the Sabbath.  Gentiles also observed the seventh day as a day of rest until A.D. 321 when Constantine declared that the first day of the week was the day to honor the sun god. This was to be a free day in which no work was required.  The Council of Laodicea in A.D. 363 made Sunday the day of worship for the Roman church.

Think about what it looks like when a whole society takes the day off.  Today in the Nation of Israel we find a country at rest on the Sabbath each week.  Here in America we come close to it on Christmas; businesses are closed, traffic is minimal, things are quiet and peaceful.  I expect that in the millennial reign, we will experience true Sabbath rest.  A day of rest is a blessing from the Lord.  God wants us to take the day off each week.