Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Friday, May 1, 2015
Based Upon Exodus 31:12-13
As the Lord communed with Moses in the mount, He outlined His will for His people. He shared very detailed instructions concerning the commandments, judgments, and the building of the sanctuary. The sanctuary was of particular interest, because it was to become a catalyst by which the people of God would look to the coming Messiah as their only way into the presence of God. They were to see clearly through rites and ceremonies, how God would save them. It was the gospel preached to them in the wilderness for many years (Hebrews 4).
As God continued speaking to Moses, He unfolded a brilliant truth to him. God did not do it as though Moses was oblivious, but He did put emphasis on the matter. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.” (Exodus 31:12-13). In order to distinguish the Sabbath to which He referred from those ceremonial days instituted because of sin, He continued. “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:15-17). In Ezekiel chapter twenty, the same truth is shared and is associated with the deliverance of God’s people from Egyptian slavery.
God’s seventh day Sabbath sign is a blessing, because it demonstrates His power. The One that sanctifies us is also the One who created everything. The One who created everything demonstrated His ability to deliver us from the bondage of sin in the exodus from Egypt. If God can create the worlds from nothing, He can certainly sanctify His people by delivering us from the slavery of sin.
Another great blessing is that all of the rites and ceremonies, including ceremonial sabbaths were completely eradicated at the cross of Jesus. He was the fulfillment of all of these things. He is the genuine article. Just as we are able to receive the blessings of the New Covenant made with the house of Israel, we are blessed to receive the sanctification demonstrated in God’s eternal seventh day Sabbath. You see, as we have faith in Christ, we are heirs according to the promise God made to Abraham. “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29).
The sign of God’s exclusive power to create, sanctify, and deliver from sin is still in tact. He is calling people all over the world to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Will you receive His sign? Will you be known in these last days as one who believes He still sanctifies? Pray that the Lord will teach you what His sign means and why it is important in these days
