Exodus in the wilderness is not the model for the new covenant. That is the model for continual rebellion leading to God considering starting all over again - Moses interceded on their behalf. I don't think we can learn too much by this example other than a whole lot of "what not to do". I would say that Israel was given the sabbath and jubilees because they were carnally minded and stubborn, and that's also why they alternated between refusing to keep them or keeping them in a superficial way that angered God.

I do think if a person considers what I wrote, and compares that to their life and feels what you said, that should definitely convict them. It does me. I think you're right that most Americans are more focused on the world than the kingdom. Is that something that not working one day a week will fix? The entirety of the OT points to: hard no. That's just adding another flavor of Sunday Christian.

We Americans have more rest than any Israelite ever did. It's not a question of physical activity, it is a question of the heart.

Your antisemitism of calling the Jewish "rebellion" against Elohim during the Exodus as no more than an example of "what no to do" while arguing not to follow Elohim's 10 Commandments reeks of hypocrisy, an astounding lack of self-awareness and a horrible understanding of Elohim's Torah.

Exodus 32:9-10
Exodus 33:3
Numbers 14;11
Deuteronomy 9:6
Deuteronomy 9:13
Deuteronomy 31:27

That's just a few. This is hardly anti semitism, give me a break.

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• Christians should observe the sabbath because of its benefits, but not because it is mandated?

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I think this is the case for everything related to Christianity. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial". We should do it because it is good. Good things have good effects, but we really should be doing good things for their own sake.

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• If Christians are not required to observe the Sabbath, then it doesn't really matter whether they observe it on Saturday or Sunday, correct? In fact, if a Christian wanted to take a day of rest on Tuesday, that would be fine as well. It's the day of rest that's important, not the ceremonial observance?

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I think this is a conditional no/yes. The priests/Levites in the OT spent the entire Sabbath performing rituals. It was their busiest day of the week. So they would often take a different day of rest during the week. But I wouldn't think that Bill Smith working retail deciding that Wednesday was his Sabbath so he could spend Saturday mowing lawns for extra cash would carry the same moral weight.

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• If a Christian finds that mowing the lawn is restful and relieves him from stress, then it is OK for the Christian to mow the lawn on the day that he rests, his Sabbath, correct?

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Sure. The Bible is very cryptic about the definition of work. Starting a fire is work, but studying the Bible is not. Even though one might be more difficult than the other. Various agricultural jobs are work, but some things like milking cows just can't wait a day and have to be done. I think as Christians we just have to use our best judgement on these things. If mowing your lawn is a time of relaxation and contemplation for you, then it seems fine to me.

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• What do you think of sports events on days that are likely some of the players' Sabbath day?

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This is where I try not to focus on the actions of other people. I enjoy watching college football on Saturday and it's not work for me. A more thorough and in the weeds explanation below, but it's more my opinions and the way I live my life than anything Biblical or greatly insightful. It's very much whatever you, or your family, or your church feel is good.

I'll watch college football on Saturday and greatly enjoy it. The fact that the broadcasters, coaches, staff, and stadium crew are working on the day has nothing to do with me. They will be working regardless if I watch or not. Same with going to the movies or going to eat, though I'm still weird about avoiding foods cooked on an open flame on the Sabbath. But that's just a personal hang up. I'm not working. These people are choosing to work and that's not my responsibility or my fault. I probably wouldn't schedule a wedding on the Sabbath and have people come work specifically for me that wouldn't otherwise be working. Same with a house cleaning service. I don't want to be the primary or only reason that someone leaves their home to work on the Sabbath. But if they are already working with an "open door" policy then I don't have a problem patronizing their business.

Sorry I'm just now getting around to this. Maybe I misunderstood the point of the post. I have heard people equate "Son" to "Sun" day in modern English and it's complete nonsense. I thought the poster was trying to make similar equivalency.

Jabin said:

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B-1 83 said:

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The concept that the Lord God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen marks time on a calendar based on the rotation of one planet (amongst billions) on its axis and its orbital time around one of billions of stars is laughable.

What did God do on the 8th day other than invent golf?

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Or, perhaps he established the rotation period of this one very special planet to correspond to the calendar he instituted?

Personally, I find it laughable for people to assume that they can say what the "Lord God . . . creator of all that is seen and unseen . . ." can do or can't do or should do or shouldn't do. His ways and motives would, by definition, be beyond our understanding.

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And yet there are those who vehemently condemn people who don't interpret such a concept the way that they do, that is indeed far above our understanding. Seventh Day Adventists are insufferable in their nonsense. You just agreed with me and didn't realize it.