Deuteronomy 5

Think of the 10 commandments as shorthand for the law, and a fitting way to remind the Israelites of their responsibilities. They were on two tablets, with one tablet traditionally recognized as providing guidance for relating to God, and the second guiding their relationships with each other. The division became a convenient way to summarize the law: love God and love your neighbor. But the ten commandments were made for us as well. Nine of the ten are repeated in the New Testament. The only one that isn’t is the one about keeping the Sabbath. We are still called to worship, both privately and corporately, but the Sabbath itself was for Israel.

Exodus 31:13 (NLT) “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.“

If a New Testament believer chooses to keep a Sabbath, then that’s a personal choice.

Romans 14:5-6 (WEB) “One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.”

Thought for the day: Moses reminds them of their response to God’s majesty when they received the commandments. It’s the response God expects us all to have!

Deuteronomy 5:29 (WEB) “Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”