Passage Read: Numbers 28-31
Meditation Verse: 29:1
Thought
There are two kinds of festival days: those on which no laborious work may be done and those on which no work at all may be done (there's only one of those in these chapters). Most festival days, basic tasks and duties are permitted, but the goal is to have time to meet together and celebrate the Lord. So heavy or intensive or time-consuming work is not to be done--nothing "laborious." But once a year, there is a day on which the Israelites are to humble themselves and do no work at all, the Day of Atonement. That's different from the others. The Sabbath is supposed to be like that, a day of rest for everyone, so no one needs to do anything--not as a humbling of self, but rather as a genuine break from all labors. The Sabbath comes weekly and should be a time of joy, gratitude, rest; it's not a punishment but a provision because God promises to take care of the big picture stuff, so everyone can take a break for a day. Most festival days allow for some basic household or work chores to be done, but they shouldn't consume the time and energy of anyone; instead, they should leave everyone with time to gather before the Lord in celebration. Only the Day of Atonement is actually a day of restriction for the purpose of humbling. Neither the Sabbath nor the festival days are to be somber and heavy and humbling.
Application
I appreciate the nuance God records in His Word. It helps me piece together and understand better what His intentions are with these holy days. While I'm not obligated to hold to these laws as the Israelites were, they help me understand what God intends for a holiday to be. The Sabbath was truly a gift to men, that I would understand how my life is actually dependent on God's provision and blessing, rather than on my own labors and efforts, though I am still designed to labor to provide for my needs the other six days. The Sabbath forces me to acknowledge God's primary and foundational place in my life and survival. It illustrates the Gospel, in that I must understand that my salvation depends entirely on Jesus' sacrifice, but I must walk in newness of life, which doesn't save me but is what I have been designed to do. And practically speaking, God wants me to rest both in Him for salvation and in this life. I'm created to need breaks and I'm created to enjoy and celebrate God's goodness. I wasn't created to labor all day every day; I wasn't created to live for my physical needs. I was created to know and enjoy God, while taking care of some of my physical needs. I can and should be taking regular breaks and I shouldn't be working so hard I can't take regular, meaningful breaks. As the Sabbath was made for man, so is work. I'm not the slave of either; they serve me.