BOOK REVIEW: "Sabbath" by Dan B. Allender
I was eager to read Sabbath by Dan B. Allender (part of The Ancient Practices Series), because in my Bible studies I've often been confused about the proper way to observe the Sabbath. The Old Testament reveals very stern consequences for those who broke the commandment regarding the seventh day, while the New Testament shows Jesus confronting Jewish religious leaders over their legalistic observances of the Sabbath.Then come all the questions with the observance of the Lord's Day--Sunday--in remembrance of Christ's resurrection. Are we to celebrate both days or only one? Do we begin our celebration at sunset like the Jewish people did or are the requirements less stringent? Does it matter what day we celebrate the Sabbath? What about people, including ministers, who work on Sunday?
While the book didn't answer all my questions (and though I didn't necessarily agree with the author on every point) I must say that reading this book has totally changed my perspective on celebrating the Sabbath. According to Scripture, the Sabbath is a day both of remembering God's deliverance from sin and anticipating Christ's return to take us home. If we meditate on this remembrance and anticipation, the proper response is one of both awe and gratitude. So instead of a legalistic observance, a cessation from all activity, or a day-long nap, from now on I hope to approach the day as God must have approached the first Sabbath, as a day of joy and delight.
If I have to mention a negative, it's that the organization of the book was difficult to follow.
*This book was provided to me, free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers, for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.*
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Amen, Marja! It's no wonder that Americans are stressed out. This book really opened my eyes to seeing the Sabbath as a day of celebration--both in remembrance of our deliverance from slavery to sin but also looking forward to the day when we'll feast at the wedding supper of the Lamb.New Year Blessings,
Cathy
I think that primarily the Sabbath is a memorial of creation because of the wording, because that is what it refers to and that God rested after He had finished His work. I emphasize on the fact that God said He set this seventh day apart and sanctified it. If He as done that, and He never changes, then I do not think that it was right for any person or persons to change it to another day. He never said that there should be a setting aside of a day in honour of the resurection. Everytime I am tempted to follow my own devices I remember the lesson of Saul and the Amalekites in 1st Samuel 15.
Very interesting subject, we cannot take it lightly, it is on the same list as "do not kill"... that made me think!Oh yes, the subtitle of my book is "God's way to multiply our time and restore our joy."
Happy Sunday :)
Yvonne wrote: "I think that primarily the Sabbath is a memorial of creation because of the wording, because that is what it refers to and that God rested after He had finished His work. I emphasize on the fact t..."In Deuteronomy, when Moses is reviewing the law before he dies, he mentions the Sabbath also in reference to the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In that context, I believe that we also have been delivered from slavery to sin by Christ's death, burial and resurrection.
Oh definitely and that is the rest we have in Him. I believe though that a cross over has been made and Sunday has been substituted for Saturday and for why. I do not think this was right.Yvonne
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But I can always learn something new. One thing I know for sure: this country needs a day of rest after every six days of work!