Exo 31:13-17 | MHM | STEP | v. 13-17 : God commands the people to keep the Sabbath day holy ( v. 13-17 ). The Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel, showing that God chose them and set them apart. Keeping the Sabbath showed their obedience and helped them remember that God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh ( ch. xvi. 23; ch. xxiii. 12 ). The Sabbath was for their benefit and God’s honor. They were to rest from regular work and focus on God. This rest was to be kept for all generations as a sign of their covenant with God. v. 13-14, 16 : The people were to guard the Sabbath as something precious. They had to observe it, not pollute it, and not let it be forgotten ( v. 13, 14, 16 ). While other nations had yearly festivals, Israel was unique in having a weekly Sabbath. This made them different from everyone else and showed they worshipped the one true Creator. The Sabbath was also a sign between God and Israel, showing that He had sanctified them and set them apart as His people . This covenant was to be observed throughout their generations as a lasting sign of their relationship with God.

‏ Exodus 31:13-17

v. 13-17: God commands the people to keep the Sabbath day holy (v. 13-17 ^a). The Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel, showing that God chose them and set them apart. Keeping the Sabbath showed their obedience and helped them remember that God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh (ch. xvi. 23; ch. xxiii. 12 ^b). The Sabbath was for their benefit and God’s honor. They were to rest from regular work and focus on God. This rest was to be kept for all generations as a sign of their covenant with God.

v. 13-14, 16: The people were to guard the Sabbath as something precious. They had to observe it, not pollute it, and not let it be forgotten (v. 13, 14, 16 ^c). While other nations had yearly festivals, Israel was unique in having a weekly Sabbath. This made them different from everyone else and showed they worshipped the one true Creator. The Sabbath was also a sign between God and Israel, showing that He had sanctified them and set them apart as His people . This covenant was to be observed throughout their generations as a lasting sign of their relationship with God.

v. 14-15: Anyone who worked on the Sabbath, except for works of mercy or necessity, was to be cut off or put to death (v. 14, 15 ^d). If the judges did not punish the offender, God Himself would judge them. This showed that breaking the Sabbath was a serious sin that would not go unpunished unless there was repentance. The Sabbath was holy to the LORD, and anyone who profaned it by working on that day was to be put to death. This command emphasized the seriousness of keeping the Sabbath holy and dedicated to God.

v. 15: God explains that the Sabbath is a day of rest and is holy to Him (v. 15 ^e). People were to stop their regular work and dedicate the day to God. Anyone who broke the Sabbath was to be punished by death, showing how serious God was about this command.

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v. 17: God gives the reason for the Sabbath: it is a reminder that He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (v. 17 ^f). By resting, God set an example for His people, and by keeping the Sabbath, they showed they belonged to Him and remembered His power as Creator. The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, reminding them of His role as Creator and their special relationship with Him.