According to Magonet the role of the shabbatt was like a bridge to counter the prohibitive directives of the 1st three and last five commandments,by focusing on the positive affirmation of God’s gift to the Israelites. This gift was giving them the release from the pattern of endless labor, that was experienced as slaves in Egypt(p204). In addition it served as statement of God’s control of time, to counter the belief in the ancient Near East, that moon and sun should be worshipped as the guidance to their lives.
In Magonet, he states that the Sabbath commandment was a new concept when it was read from the tablets. The Sabbath is seen as the only way to worship God, breaking away from the worship of the sun and moon which was the norm at that time. By worshipping the parts of creation, it denies the authority of God. The Sabbath then creates a relationship between God and Israel, a bond that cannot be broken. Sabbath is seen as a gift to the Israelites, it breaks the “pattern of endless labour that was imposed by the slavery in Egypt.” ( Magonet, 204). It was God’s gift of time for them to also maintain their relationship with God and create a fellowship within their community. The Sabbath commandment also stands right in the middle of all the commandments and acts as a kind of transition. The first set of commandments state what we are obligated to God. (No other gods, now worshiping images and how to use God’s divine name). The second half is how God wants us to honor the human spirit (honoring parents, not killing, stealing coveting etc.) The Sabbath commandment takes both parts and ties creates a relationship between God, other humans, our own self and well being and nature in general. The Sabbath is also a reminder to Israel that the one day of rest is from God for a reason. It is there to remind them that they need to rely on God’s presence to sustain their life, their freedom, identity and hope.
Based on my understanding of Magonet, the Sabbath structure was included in the commandment as a way for the people to move away from the mentality of working hard and long hours as they had grown habituated to in Egypt. Because the people had shown a propensity to turn away from the ways of God, “Shabbat” was introduced as a way to direct their thoughts and actions back to God’s creation plan in Eden and the extraordinary gift of self-determination and self-rule God was prepared to bestow on them (p. 204). Magonet suggests that in understanding the structure and directive about “Shabbat” one is better able to identify the very character of his/her life as ones gift of time to each individual (p.205).
The Sabbath When the Hebrews came out of Egypt, it was not only Hebrews, but Egyptians as well. The Egyptians did have an influence on the Hebrews and they did worship other gods. And since God is the creator of all, the sun, whatever is above the earth and whatever is beneath the earth, everything in the air and everything in the seas. He is the God that created all. Therefore, no other gods should come before Him. Keeping the Sabbath refers back to God when He created the Earth. On the 7th day, He rested. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember the gifts we have obtained from God. God was us to worship Him and rest in Him on the Sabbath. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember God.
The Sabbath When the Hebrews came out of Egypt, it was not only Hebrews, but Egyptians as well. The Egyptians did have an influence on the Hebrews and they did worship other gods. And since God is the creator of all, the sun, whatever is above the earth and whatever is beneath the earth, everything in the air and everything in the seas. He is the God that created all. Therefore, no other gods should come before Him. Keeping the Sabbath refers back to God when He created the Earth. On the 7th day, He rested. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember the gifts we have obtained from God. God was us to worship Him and rest in Him on the Sabbath. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember God.
Magonet offers a different perspective of viewing the Ten Commandments which is quite enlightening. First, in Rabbinic terminology, they are not 'commandments' but the Ten Words(194). Instead of being commands from 'above' the author suggests that once you enter into this covenant with God, one polices himself not to do the prohibitions listed in the Ten Words(194). This is significant because the author argues how the commands are linked to one another. The Sabbath command,however, holds a different place than the other commands. The words about the Sabbath and honoring your parents serve as a bridge between the first three and the final five words because, while eight are prohibitions and, in a sense, match each other, the two in the middle have a different nature that deals with time(203). Specifically viewing the Sabbath, it is God's time stamp upon the world. For six days humankind is to work and labor but rest on the seventh day. The author suggests this is a 'divine gift' from God to give the Israelites relief from the labor imposed on them as slaves in Egypt, which is an affirmation of the the gifts we obtain from God in the midst of all the 'you shall not'. In addition, since the Sabbath word identifies not only a person to rest, but their family and livestock, it is a link to the tenth word concerning coveting. Finally, the Sabbath word, as it mentions God being the creator of heaven and earth links it to the first word prohibiting worship of anyhing else.
According to Magonet the role of the shabbatt was like a bridge to counter the prohibitive directives of the 1st three and last five commandments,by focusing on the positive affirmation of God’s gift to the Israelites. This gift was giving them the release from the pattern of endless labor, that was experienced as slaves in Egypt(p204). In addition it served as statement of God’s control of time, to counter the belief in the ancient Near East, that moon and sun should be worshipped as the guidance to their lives.
ReplyDeleteIn Magonet, he states that the Sabbath commandment was a new concept when it was read from the tablets. The Sabbath is seen as the only way to worship God, breaking away from the worship of the sun and moon which was the norm at that time. By worshipping the parts of creation, it denies the authority of God.
ReplyDeleteThe Sabbath then creates a relationship between God and Israel, a bond that cannot be broken. Sabbath is seen as a gift to the Israelites, it breaks the “pattern of endless labour that was imposed by the slavery in Egypt.” ( Magonet, 204). It was God’s gift of time for them to also maintain their relationship with God and create a fellowship within their community.
The Sabbath commandment also stands right in the middle of all the commandments and acts as a kind of transition. The first set of commandments state what we are obligated to God. (No other gods, now worshiping images and how to use God’s divine name). The second half is how God wants us to honor the human spirit (honoring parents, not killing, stealing coveting etc.) The Sabbath commandment takes both parts and ties creates a relationship between God, other humans, our own self and well being and nature in general.
The Sabbath is also a reminder to Israel that the one day of rest is from God for a reason. It is there to remind them that they need to rely on God’s presence to sustain their life, their freedom, identity and hope.
Based on my understanding of Magonet, the Sabbath structure was included in the commandment as a way for the people to move away from the mentality of working hard and long hours as they had grown habituated to in Egypt. Because the people had shown a propensity to turn away from the ways of God, “Shabbat” was introduced as a way to direct their thoughts and actions back to God’s creation plan in Eden and the extraordinary gift of self-determination and self-rule God was prepared to bestow on them (p. 204). Magonet suggests that in understanding the structure and directive about “Shabbat” one is better able to identify the very character of his/her life as ones gift of time to each individual (p.205).
ReplyDeleteThe Sabbath
ReplyDeleteWhen the Hebrews came out of Egypt, it was not only Hebrews, but Egyptians as well. The Egyptians did have an influence on the Hebrews and they did worship other gods. And since God is the creator of all, the sun, whatever is above the earth and whatever is beneath the earth, everything in the air and everything in the seas. He is the God that created all. Therefore, no other gods should come before Him. Keeping the Sabbath refers back to God when He created the Earth. On the 7th day, He rested. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember the gifts we have obtained from God. God was us to worship Him and rest in Him on the Sabbath. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember God.
The Sabbath
ReplyDeleteWhen the Hebrews came out of Egypt, it was not only Hebrews, but Egyptians as well. The Egyptians did have an influence on the Hebrews and they did worship other gods. And since God is the creator of all, the sun, whatever is above the earth and whatever is beneath the earth, everything in the air and everything in the seas. He is the God that created all. Therefore, no other gods should come before Him. Keeping the Sabbath refers back to God when He created the Earth. On the 7th day, He rested. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember the gifts we have obtained from God. God was us to worship Him and rest in Him on the Sabbath. When we keep the Sabbath, we remember God.
Magonet offers a different perspective of viewing the Ten Commandments which is quite enlightening. First, in Rabbinic terminology, they are not 'commandments' but the Ten Words(194). Instead of being commands from 'above' the author suggests that once you enter into this covenant with God, one polices himself not to do the prohibitions listed in the Ten Words(194). This is significant because the author argues how the commands are linked to one another. The Sabbath command,however, holds a different place than the other commands. The words about the Sabbath and honoring your parents serve as a bridge between the first three and the final five words because, while eight are prohibitions and, in a sense, match each other, the two in the middle have a different nature that deals with time(203). Specifically viewing the Sabbath, it is God's time stamp upon the world. For six days humankind is to work and labor but rest on the seventh day. The author suggests this is a 'divine gift' from God to give the Israelites relief from the labor imposed on them as slaves in Egypt, which is an affirmation of the the gifts we obtain from God in the midst of all the 'you shall not'. In addition, since the Sabbath word identifies not only a person to rest, but their family and livestock, it is a link to the tenth word concerning coveting. Finally, the Sabbath word, as it mentions God being the creator of heaven and earth links it to the first word prohibiting worship of anyhing else.
ReplyDelete