🕊️ Sabbath — Returning to the Original Design

Ashley Breanne
Jul 6
4 min read

What Scripture Really Says About God’s Holy Day of Rest

For much of my life, I thought Sabbath rest was just an outdated rule for ancient Israel. I’d heard things like:

“Jesus is my rest.”“The Sabbath is legalism.”“That was just for the Jews.”

But then I started reading the Bible for myself. What I discovered changed everything. God didn’t just suggest the Sabbath—He blessed it, commanded it, and said it would be celebrated in His eternal kingdom.

So today, I want to invite you into what the Word actually says about the Sabbath—no tradition, no church doctrine, just Scripture.

And if this stirs something in your spirit, I encourage you to check out the full podcast episode, where we explore this topic in even greater depth. 👇🎧 Listen: Sabbath — Returning to the Original Design

✨ What Is the Sabbath?

The Sabbath—called Shabbat in Hebrew—is the seventh day of the week that God set apart as holy. It’s a day of rest, worship, and delight in the LORD.

Let’s look at what Scripture says:

📖 Sabbath Was Established at Creation

“And on the seventh day God finished his work… and he rested… So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy…”— Genesis 2:2–3

Before sin, before Israel, before the Law—God established a rhythm of rest.

He didn’t bless a person or place. He blessed a day.

📜 What Are the Sabbath Instructions?

According to Scripture, here’s what Sabbath keeping involves:

Instruction	Key Verses
Rest from work	Exodus 20:10, Leviticus 23:3, Deut. 5:13–14
Keep it holy	Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 5:12
Worship and gather	Leviticus 23:3
Prepare food in advance	Exodus 16:23, Exodus 35:3
Do not buy or sell	Nehemiah 10:31, Nehemiah 13:15–22
Delight in the LORD	Isaiah 58:13–14
Do good on the Sabbath	Matthew 12:12
It’s a sign	Exodus 31:13, Exodus 31:16–17

📅 What Day Is the Sabbath?

Biblically, the Sabbath is the seventh day—what we call Saturday. A biblical day starts at sunset, not midnight (Genesis 1:5). So Sabbath begins at sunset Friday and ends sunset Saturday. Nowhere in the Bible does God change the Sabbath to Sunday. Not once.

✝️ What Did Jesus Say About the Sabbath?

Jesus kept the Sabbath. He taught on it, healed on it, and clarified its purpose:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”— Mark 2:27

He never abolished it. In fact, He said:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law… I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”— Matthew 5:17

His disciples also kept the Sabbath (Luke 23:56), and He even mentioned it in reference to the end times (Matthew 24:20).

🔄 Did the Early Church Change the Day?

Some point to Acts 20:7, where believers met on the first day. But this was a gathering, not a command to replace the Sabbath.

The actual shift to Sunday worship came later—through Roman law, not Scripture.

In 321 AD, Emperor Constantine declared Sunday the official day of rest. Later, church councils condemned Sabbath keepers. This was political—not biblical.

“I the LORD do not change.”— Malachi 3:6

❤️ Is the Sabbath Just for Israel?

God’s promises extend to all who follow Him.

“Blessed is the one who keeps the Sabbath… and the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD… I will bring to My holy mountain…”— Isaiah 56:2, 6–7

Paul reminds us in Romans 11 that we are grafted into Israel—part of the covenant people of God. The Sabbath is still for you.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Common Objections (and Scripture Responses)

“Jesus fulfilled the law.”Yes, and He also lived by it. Fulfillment doesn’t mean cancellation. (Matt. 5:17–19). “Paul said we don’t have to keep days.”Romans 14 speaks about disputable matters—not direct commands. (Romans 3:31)

“The Sabbath is a shadow.”Yes! And shadows point to something real. (Colossians 2:16–17)

🕯️ Why the Sabbath Matters Today

It reminds us that God is the Creator.
It gives our bodies and souls rest.
It sets us apart from the world’s constant hustle.
It draws us near to God's presence and people.
It’s a covenant sign between us and Him.
It reflects the rhythm of heaven itself (Isaiah 66:22–23).

“If you call the Sabbath a delight… then you shall take delight in the LORD…”— Isaiah 58:13–14

🎧 Want to Learn More?

There’s so much more to uncover—Jesus' relationship with the Sabbath, how the early church worshiped, and how we can honor the Sabbath today without legalism.

👉 🎙️ Listen to the full episode: Sabbath — Returning to the Original Design

📣 Final Thoughts

I’m not here to hand you rules. I’m here to say: go to the Word. God is calling His people back to His rhythm.

“I have set before you life and death… therefore, choose life.”— Deuteronomy 30:19

Choose to rest. Choose to obey. Choose to trust.

📝 This post was generated with the help of ChatGPT, based on the content from the podcast episode “Sabbath — Returning to the Original Design.” Be sure to listen to the full episode for even more Scripture, context, and personal insight. 🎧