Why 7?

WHY 7?

KEY TEXT: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11).

1. INTRODUCTION

Birthday is one of the most important parts of one’s life. It is a day that reminds you who you really are. On birthdays, friends are invited; parties are normally organized, gifts are given, and there are celebrations and merry making. Everybody on this earth has a birthday, I have one too. Every nation also has a birthday; my country Ghana has one too, which is 6th March, 1957 - the day Ghana became an independent nation from her colonial masters, the Great Britain. Surprisingly, all birthdays fall on a date. For example, my birthday is 1st September and this day can fall at any other day. God also has a birthday. God decided to choose day not date as His birthday and the day falls on the seventh-day of the week. Birthdays can never be changed. I can decide to tell everybody that I was born on 2nd February. Everybody will agree but that cannot still change my original birthday which is 1st September.

WHY 7?

It is obvious that the Bible uses numbers in pattern and for a purpose. Why did God not choose any other day to be His birthday than the 7th Day? God took a common, ordinary day of 24 hours - the seventh day - and chose it, sanctified it, set it aside, and dedicated it to Himself (Genesis 2:1-3). The Sabbath is a blessed and sanctified day. According to the bible, the Sabbath is not any other day but the seventh day (Exodus 20:10).

Let’s Consider the Following Numbers and their Meaning

1. The number four (4) signifies universality or earth: representing the cardinal points: North, South, East, and West. The 4th commandment is the first among the commandments that refers to the earth (Exod. 20:8-11). The 4th clause of the Lord's Prayer is the first that mentions the earth (Matt. 6:10).

2. The number twelve (12) also means the number of governmental perfection. There were 12 tribes of Israel (Gen. 49); 12 Apostles (Luke 6:12-16), 12 foundations in the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21: 19, 20); 12 gates (Rev. 21: 12); 12 pearls (Rev. 21: 21). The measurements of New Jerusalem are 12,000 furlongs or stadia, while the wall will be 144 (12 x 12) cubits (Rev. 21:16-17).

3. The number seven (7) usually means perfection or complete. The number seven surprisingly, seems to be the most dominant number in in the entire Bible. Consider the following:

(a) God rested on the 7th day (Gen. 2: 1-3)
(b) Noah’s clean beast in the ark were seven-seven (Gen. 7:1-2)
(c) Liberty for servants after 7 years (Exod. 21: 1-2)
(d) The wall of Jericho fell on the 7th day at the 7 round (Joshua 6: 1- 4)
(e) Manna from heaven did not fall on the 7th day (Exod. 16: 31 - 35)
(f) Naaman was ask to dip into river Jordan 7 times (2 Kings 5: 10, 14)
(g) Israel land should rest on the 7th day (Exod. 20: 8-11)
(h) Israel land to rest on the 7th year (Lev. 25: 1-4)
(i) Sampson’s hair were 7 locks (Judges 16: 19)
(j) Jesus Christ spoke 7 utterances or words on the cross before He finally died (Luke 23:34; Luke 23:43; Matt. 27:46; John 19: 26; John 19: 28; John 19: 30; Luke 23:46)
(k) A total of 7 people were raised from the dead in the entire bible (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:25-37; Luke 7:11-15; 8:41-56; John 11: 17-44; Acts 9:36-41; Acts 20:9-11).
(l) Multiple use of seven (7) in the book of revelation:

o The 7 Churches in Asia (Rev 1:4)
o The 7 candles sticks (Rev 1: 12)
o The 7 stars (Rev 1: 16)
o The 7 Seals (Rev 5: 1)
o The 7 trumpets (Rev 8: 2)
o The 7 last plagues (Rev 15:1, 6, 8, 21:9)
o The 7 spirits (Rev 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6)
o The 7 golden lampstands (Rev 11:12, 20; 2:1; 4:5)
o The 7 horns (Rev 5:6)
o The 7 eyes (Rev 1:4; 2:1-3, 22; 5:6)
o The 7 Angels (Rev 8:2, 6; 15:1, 6-7, 15:8;16:1; 17:1; 21:19)
o The 7 heads (Rev 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 9)
o The 7 crowns (Rev 12:3)
o The 7 hills (Rev 17:9)
o The 7 Beatitudes (blessings) in the book of Revelation (Rev 1:7; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14).

The number seven (7) seems to be so dear to God and it ought to be important to us too. Remember, the 7th day is God’s birthday!!! The number is very important to our Creator.

TWO THINGS GOD BLESSED IN EDEN

At creation, God established two fundamental institutions to ensure our health and happiness: the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3) and Marriage (Genesis 1:28). The Bible Sabbath was the first divine institution for mankind in the history of the world, and along with marriage, is one of the only institutions to come down, past Eden, into human’s history. The Sabbath is as sacred as is marriage and is to be as sacredly guarded . Unfortunately both institutions have been the object of Satan's greatest attacks; because he knows that they are the foundation of our social and spiritual relationships with God and with one another. Satan knows that by causing people to break the Sabbath and to break up their marital relationship, he can succeed in destroying both our social and spiritual relationships. Satan has made all effort to destroy this two great things God instituted and blessed in Eden.

WHY IS THE SABBATH SO SPECIAL?

God did three wonderful things to the Sabbath day (Genesis 2: 1-3). Firstly, He Himself rested upon it. What an honour that we also rest on the day the Creator Himself rested! He did not only rest on this day, He made it a rest day. Do we dare do our own work on a day that God rested? Secondly, He blessed it. How many things all through the Bible did God blessed? They are very few. Thirdly, He sanctified or hallowed it. How many things did God sanctified in the entire Bible? Very few - how many things did He blessed and sanctified together? It is only the 7th day I presume. Let no one tell you the Seventh-day is unimportant. If is important to your Creator; it ought to be important to you also. The Sabbath was instituted before sin came to Earth (Genesis 2:1-3), and will also be celebrated after sin is forever banished from Earth (Isaiah 66:22-23).

Astoundingly, the 7th day Sabbath is in the heart, of God’s Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20: 3-17. The Sabbath day is a memorial of creation as well as memorial of our redemption (Deuteronomy 5: 12-15). It is as old as the world itself! God promises His people, both Jews and Gentiles many blessings if they obey Him and remember His memorial of creation (Isa. 56: 2-7; 58: 13,14; Heb. 4: 9-10; Ps. 87: 3-6)

IS THE SABBATH JEWISH?

NO! The Sabbath cannot be Jewish. In fact, it was instituted before the Jewish race came into being. In fact, God dedicated and set the Sabbath as a rest day, 2000 years before the first Jew. Abraham is considered by all to have been the first Jew. He lived about 2000 B.C. Biblical records indicate that the creation of this world took place around 4000 B.C. The Sabbath is not Jewish! It is for mankind; it is for you and it is for the entire world.

God did not restrict such a blessing to one nation. Nowhere in the Bible is the seventh day called "the Sabbath of the Jews" but always "the Sabbath of the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:9-10; 31: 15; Numbers 23:3; Deuteronomy 5:13, 14). Jesus made it clear that it is a day for all mankind when He said, "...The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath…" ((Mark 2:27, 28). It is the day of the Lord Himself. In fact, God calls the 7th day, "My Holy Day", and "the Lord’s Day" (Isaiah 58: 13-14; Rev. 1: 10). If you are not keeping the Sabbath because you think it is Jewish, then God Himself claim to be a Jew or the God of the Hebrews (Exodus 3:18; 5:3). Will you not worship God again because He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel? Jesus Christ Himself was a Jew because both His parents were all Jews with Joseph, His earthly father from the tribe of Judah.

Will you not accept Jesus Christ again because He was a Jew? If you are not keeping the Sabbath because it was Jewish, then what will you do with the Bible? Will you not accept it again as an inspire word of God because almost all the biblical writers were Jews? Will you stop being a Christian because all the early Christians were Jews and kept the Sabbath? The fact that the Jewish people kept the Sabbath because they were God’s special people does not mean the Sabbath is Jewish. Will you say marriage is Jewish because the Jews got married? No!! Will you say paying of tithe and offering is Jewish? No. Then observing the 7th day Sabbath is also not Jewish.

FOUR REASONS WHY THE SABBATH WAS MADE

1. To remember God as the Creator of the entire universe and memorial of creation (Gen. 2: 1-3; Exod. 20: 8-11).
2. To commemorate our deliverance from the bondage of the enemy, Satan (Deuteronomy 5: 12-15).
3. As a day of worship or Holy convocation (Lev. 23: 3)
4. As a sign or covenant between God and Man (Exodus 31: 13-17; Ezekiel 20: 12, 20)

DID JESUS KEEP THE SABBATH?

Oh, yes Jesus kept the Sabbath during his entire 33 year earthly ministry (Luke 4: 16; 4: 31). The Bible said, Jesus custom was to attend church service every Sabbath (7th day) making Him keeping the Sabbath for one thousand, seven hundred and sixteen times (i.e.33 years ×52 weeks per year). This is incredible!!! Peter urged Christians to imitate Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2: 21) and we are therefore testify to know Him by following His examples (John 2: 3-6).

HOW TO KEEP THE SABBATH

1. Not doing your own pleasure - Isaiah 58: 13-14; Nehemiah 13: 15-19
2. Doing good on the Sabbath - Mark 3: 1-4

The Sabbath is something you cannot ignore because, "The Holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between the true Israel of God and unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is the great question, to unite the hearts of God's dear waiting saints. And if one believed, and kept the Sabbath, and received the blessing attending it, and then gave it up, and broke the holy commandment, they would shut the gates of the Holy City against themselves, as sure as there was a God that rules in heaven above"

WHICH DAY IS THE SABBATH DAY?

Let's take a critical look at the events of these three memorable days between the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1. Friday (preparation day): Jesus died; the women prepared spices and ointments (Luke 23: 54-55).
2. Saturday (Sabbath day): Jesus rested in the tomb; His followers rested too (Luke 23: 56).
3. Sunday (first day of the week): Jesus rose from the dead! Ladies came to anoint Jesus body (Luke 24: 1). There can be no doubt as to which day was the Sabbath at Jesus' death - Saturday of course, is the Sabbath day (i.e. the 7th day).

THE APOTLES KEPT THE SABBATH

The Creator has said "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy," (Exodus 20:8) yet so many forget! But forgetting the day was not God's purpose - the Sabbath was made for everybody (Mark 2:27). Jesus expected that all His followers would keep the Sabbath for all time; in fact He claim to be Lord and the owner of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).

He once told His disciples, "Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath". Jesus Christ our exemplified Saviour expected that His followers in A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed, would still be keeping the Sabbath! (Matthew 24:20). Truthfully, the New Testament records that Jesus' followers kept the Sabbath after the resurrection. In fact, the book of Acts alone, records 84 meetings that Paul and the other disciples held on the Sabbath, the 7th day of the week (see Acts 13: 42, 44; 16: 13; 17: 2; 18: 4, 11). The Sabbath runs like a golden thread from Genesis to the book of Revelation, which describes those who are prepared to meet Jesus at His Second Coming!

Conclusion God decided to use a day not a date to be His birthday. He chose the 7th day Sabbath which happens to be every Saturday to Himself. It is therefore a privilege to have a share in such a wonderful day with our creator and receives its corresponding blessings. Surprisingly, Jesus work of redemption was completed on the 6th day! He rested in the tomb over the Sabbath and rose on Sunday, the first day of the week. Even in death Jesus kept the Sabbath; He rested in the tomb on the 7th day. As we stand near the cross, we get the feeling that any day in seven will not do! For to tamper with the Sabbath would be to tamper with creation, with Sinai, and with Calvary itself!

O Yes, it matters which day in seven (7) we celebrate. Sunday is a man-made theory; there is no basis in the Bible (Mark 7:9). Remember, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandment (John 14:15). Jesus continued that, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love (John 15:10). Will you follow the Bible and keep the Sabbath which is in the heart of God’s commandment or will you follow man-made tradition and keep Sunday? If God Himself has blessed this day, who dares to change it?

Pastor Patrick Obeng Gyamera (PGD) is a district pastor at Green-view Ghana Conference, Ghana.