The seventh-day Sabbath is much more than a weekly day of rest; it is the one day each week that we devote totally to God, serving as a regulator and barometer of our relationship with Him. Disregarding the Sabbath is akin to throwing away the key to a treasure chest, ignoring a vital area of understanding that opens our minds to God and His purpose. God blessed the seventh day, making it holy, a time set apart for His use, and we are instructed to keep it holy. Scriptures provide examples of prohibitions on the Sabbath, such as working, cooking, and carrying burdens, guiding us through principles to decide proper and improper behavior using God's Spirit. If we keep the Sabbath properly and work to improve our relationship with Him, this holy time becomes most precious and a tremendous blessing each week.

The Sabbath holds a vital place in God's purpose for mankind, reflecting its importance to each of us. It is not merely about observing the day, but the manner of observance that marks it as a sign between God and His people, evidencing that He, the Creator, is our God, and those who keep it are His children. God designated the Sabbath specifically, and no other day will suffice, as it memorializes both creation and redemption, signifying Him as both Creator and Savior, preserving our liberty through our relationship with Him. God requires that each person set aside the Sabbath for His worship and service, as it is holy time belonging to Him. The commandment in Exodus 20 establishes the basic rule of its use, emphasizing spiritual relationships over worldly ones from Friday at sunset. Deuteronomy 5 adds a focus on redemption, recalling our release from slavery in Egypt, further underscoring why no other day can substitute for the Sabbath. Isaiah 58 reveals God's expectation of great respect for the Sabbath, describing it as a day of joy and delight, to be held honorable and right in contrast to other days. We are to honor Him by using the Sabbath for His pleasure, will, and preferences, rather than our own desires or usual activities. The emphasis lies not on the energy expended, but on the purpose and intent behind our actions on His holy time. God provides broad principles and examples rather than specific dos and don'ts, expecting us to make righteous judgments in various circumstances. Historical instances, such as the Israelites marching out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and around Jericho on the Sabbath, demonstrate that actions aligning with God's pleasure are permissible, even if they involve significant effort. Similarly, priests performed required offerings on the Sabbath as part of God's will. Preparation is key to proper Sabbath observance, as seen in Exodus 16 with instructions to gather double manna on Friday to avoid work on the Sabbath. This principle remains, discouraging ordinary weekday tasks, including meal preparation, on the Sabbath day. While Holy Days may allow some flexibility due to travel or unusual circumstances, the weekly Sabbath holds stricter restrictions, yet God's law bends for specific situations, as shown in various examples, encouraging us to judge righteously in applying His intent.

God has set apart the Sabbath as a day of cessation and solemn rest, distinct from the other six days of the week. It is not merely a time for physical rest or lounging, but a holy convocation, a day officially summoned for worshipping God together, learning His ways, and fellowshipping with like-minded believers. The command to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, as given in Exodus 20, emphasizes ceasing from work and following God's example, who rested on the seventh day after creation, blessing and sanctifying it as a day devoted to Him. The Sabbath is not primarily about resting due to fatigue, as God does not grow weary, but about reflecting on what has been accomplished and refocusing on what is truly important. On this day, God shifted from physical creation to spiritual work, engaging in the creation of faith in those He has called to Jesus Christ. By keeping the Sabbath, we join Him in this work, contemplating His creation and purpose, and experiencing a sense of completion and well-being as He did. Furthermore, the Sabbath serves as a sign between God and His people, marking them as different and reminding them weekly that He is working to sanctify them, making them holy and separate. It is a day carved out of the week for God to devote to this special work, requiring our full attention to facilitate growth in knowing the Father and the Son, thus increasing our holiness and grasp on eternal life. Properly keeping the Sabbath means treating His holy time with respect and honor, restraining ourselves from pursuing our own activities in thought, word, and deed. God promises that if we watch our step on the Sabbath, He will grant us joy, lift us above worldly cares, and provide all He has promised in this age and the world to come. Keeping the Sabbath holy is a major key to spiritual growth and preparation for God's Kingdom, urging us to evaluate our practices to leap forward in our relationship with Him.