Is Shabbat For Today?
SHABBAT SHALOM
Shabbat Shalom is more than a greeting.
It means a peaceful Yom (Day) of rest, a day intentionally kodesh (set apart) for יהוה (YHWH). From the beginning of creation, יהוהbarukh (blessed) the 7th day and declared it kodesh, setting it apart for Himself.
Bereshith (In the beginning) 2:1–3
Shemoth (Names) 20:8–11.
As you read and study, you are encouraged to seek chokmah (wisdom) and hazon (insight from יהוה) who is יהושע (Yahushua the fulfillment that ‘יהוה saves’ is active) revealed in the flesh, killed on the etz (stake; wood; tree), and resurrected after three days. יהוה is the One who leads us into all of His Truth and brings binah (understanding) beyond human reasoning.
Ya‘aqob (He grasps the heel; one who follows closely) 1:5
Yahuchanan (יהוה has shown favor) 16:13.
Before continuing, take a moment to pray.
My Av (Father; Source; Leader; Protector) יהוה, thank You for this kodesh time to seek You. I ask that You pour out Your Ruach (Spirit, Breath, and Wind), open my mind, eyes, ears, heart and the entire being of mine, to receive what You desire for me to understand. Reveal the Emet (Truth) of Your Dabar (singular: Word), remove confusion, and lead me into righteousness and obedience through יהושעHa’Mashiach (the Messiah). Truly. So shall it be.
Ma‘aseh (Acts; deeds) 17:11.
OUR DESIRE
This space exists to point you to the will of יהוה, not to please man. The purpose is not ear-ticking messages, entertainment, or selfish affirmation, but actual eternal life-giving growth, maturity, and alignment with the Emet and Dabar of יהוה.
Throughout Scripture, leaders are called to equip the kodoshim (set-apart ones) for the work of the ministry, not to make up themselves as idols in stadiums or measure so-called “success” by numbers in attendees. As part of the Guf (Body) in Mashiach, you are called to grow in emunah (belief lived out), shema (hearing that leads to obedience), and binah (discernment and understanding).
Ephesiyim (the people of Ephesus; those belonging to Ephesus) 4:11–13.
RETURNING TO THE WORD OF YHWH
Many within the Guf of Mashiach come to realize that what they have been taught does not always align with the Scriptures as originally written. Returning to the Dabar of יהוה requires anavah (humility), binah, and a nedavah (willingness) to unlearn traditions that are not rooted in Yahushua’s Emet.
Mishlei (Proverbs; wise sayings) 30:5–6
Yirmeyahu (יהוה raises up; יהוה establishes) 16:19.
Emet often confronts tradition, yet it is through Emet that restoration comes.
A NECESSARY WARNING AND AN INVITATION
יהוה is clear that adding to or removing from His Dabar carries serious consequences. Teachings that replace the mitzvot (commandments) of יהוה with human tradition do NOT lead to chayim (life).
Debarim (plural: Words) 4:2
Hazon (Vision; revealed insight from יהוה) 22:18–19.
At the same time, Emet is not given to condemn, but to set free.
Yahuchanan 8:31–32.
יהוה addressed this directly when speaking to religious leaders who claimed to know יהוה yet rejected His Dabar. In Yahuchanan chapter 8, He explains that shema to Emet reveals who truly belongs to יהוה.
Yahuchanan 8:31–47.
THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE SHABBAT
The mitzvot were given directly by יהוה and recorded in Shemoth 20:2–17 and Debarim 5:6–21. Included among them is the command to remember the Shabbat (Rest; to cease) day and set it apart.
The 7th day is declared a Shabbat to יהוה your Elohim (Mighty One; Supreme Ruler and Authority). Scripture does not present this command as temporary, cultural, or optional.
Shemoth 20:8–11
Debarim 5:12–15.
WHAT THE SHABBAT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS
The Shabbat was established at creation, before sin, before Yisrael (El contends; he who wrestles with Elohim), and before religious systems. יהוה Himself rested, barukh Yom haShevi’i (the seventh day), and made it kodesh.
Bereshith 2:1–3.
Scripture defines one full Yom as erev (evening) and boker (morning), meaning Shabbat begins at sunset on the 6th day and ends at sunset on the 7th day.
Bereshith 1.
Shabbat is not defined by human preference or tradition. It belongs to יהוה.
WHO THE SHABBAT IS FOR
יהושע taught that the Shabbat was made for adam (mankind), not mankind for the Shabbat. It was given as a gift for all undeserved, not reserved for one person or one time period.
Marqos 2:27.
YAHUSHUA HAMASHIACH AND THE SHABBAT
יהושע is the Melekh haShabbat (Sovereign of the Shabbat). He did not abolish the Torah (Instruction; teaching; direction) but fulfilled it through shema tamim (perfect obedience).
Marqos 2:28
Mattityahu (Gift of יהוה; given by יהוה) 5:17.
יהושע taught that He only does what He sees HaAv (The Father) doing. Since יהוה established and kept the Shabbat, יהושע also walked in it.
Yahuchanan 5:19.
RIGHTEOUS LIVING ON SHABBAT
Scripture shows that acts of chesed (loving kindness), healing, and service aligned with the Kingdom of יהוה are appropriate on Shabbat. At the same time, Shabbat is not meant to be used for selfish ambition, indulgence, or disregard for what has been made kodesh.
Yahuchanan 5:17
Yesha‘yahu (to declare and proclaim ‘יהוה is Salvation’) 58:13–14.
WHY WE KEEP THE SHABBAT
Shabbat is not kept for yeshua (salvation), religious performance, or status. It is kept out of ahavah (covenant love and commitment to יהוה).
Loving יהוה is expressed through shema to His mitzvot, which are not burdensome.
Yahuchanan Aleph “1 John” 5:1–3.
יהושע taught that love for Him is demonstrated through shema.
Yahuchanan 14:15.
FINAL WORDS
If this study has brought forth a new perspective to YHWH’s Shabbat, understand that further layers of Emet comes directly from Ruach יהוה and is meant to lead one to additional refinement, purification and restoration, not shame or guilt.
Yahuchanan 16:8
Ma‘aseh 3:19.
Remember…
The Bridegroom is erekh apayim (patient).
The covenant stands.
The invitation remains.
Return to יהוה Who Is Emet.
Walk in tamim.
Honor יהוה.
Truly. So shall it be in יהושעMelekh haMelakhim (King of kings)!
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(We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the following Scripture translations. However, we recommend them because they have made a sincere effort to remain true to Yahushua’s Name and the Dabar of YHWH: TS2009 and/or HalleluYah Scriptures.
Throughout generations, the people of YHWH have proclaimed, praised, worshiped, honored, and personally known His Name. YHWH also instructs His people not to even mention the names of idols, nor to adopt religious or pagan-derived titles that distort His Name. Such substitutions are not aligned with His will for what His people are to speak, believe, or proclaim.
We are therefore called not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Yahushua!
Shemoth 3:15; Tehillim 105:1; Tehillim 91:14; Shemoth 23:13; Yahushua 23:7; Tehillim 16:4; Debarim 12:30–31; Yirmeyahu 10:2; Romiyim 12:2; Mishlei 30:5–6; Mattityahu 15:6–9)
