QT 5/11/2026 Exo 34:21-24, Day of rest and times of worship

Exodus 34:21–24 (ESV) —

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. 22 You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end. 23 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel. 24 For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year.

 

NOTE: Verse 21 caught my attention. It is the command to rest one day a week. Even during the very difficult weeks when it is plowing time or it is harvest time, we are to rest. And not only that, you must make time in your schedule three times during the year to attend one of the feasts (actually, it appears to be a specific feast since all the males are to appear).

 

These are OT laws and for the believer in Jesus Christ, who has born again, we are not under the law. It was nailed to the cross. We are under a new covenant. Still there is much to learn from the OT laws. In this passage, we see the importance of resting one day each week, even during the busiest weeks of the season. Personally, I know that there are busy weeks in the year. I have worked late, and at times over the weekend during these busy weeks. The point is that the Sabbath rest is for our good. Biblically, the Sabbath is Saturday (well actually Friday night through Saturday afternoon) -- it is not Sunday (not that it matters). Saturday is a day of rest, of hobbies, and of time with family. It is the end of the work week. It is a good thing for our souls. It is also good to gather for worship on Sunday morning (although that is not a rule) with the body of Christ. While we are not under the law, there is a great danger in not making it a priority.

 

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) — 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

We have a spiritual responsibility to encourage one another in the faith by worshipping corporately. When we fail to make that a priority in our life, we show a self-centered life that does not recognize the importance of others.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I a workaholic or do I take a day off each week to rest? A day like Saturday?
2. Do I believe in the importance of encouraging others by attending corporate worship on Sunday mornings? Or am I self-centered?

 

PRAYER: Father, one of the biggest weakness in the church is the selfishness of supposed believers. Instead of worshipping, that is when they rest from all work. There is a great weakness in the church and it is because we have misplaced priorities. I pray we would be committed to our faith and not to ourselves.