Why does the scripture say that the Sabbath is to be observed for all generations?
Exodus 31:16-17 reads, “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever….”
The law of the Sabbath was a sign between God and the Jewish nation. It was confined to them and was a national statue. It was to be lasting just as circumcision, the weekly showbread, the Levitical priesthood, etc. Forever does not mean eternal in this sense. The Sabbath law, as other Old Testament ceremonies, was to be observed as the standing law and statute until such a time as a new law took its place. The type was to continue in force until the antitype came. The Sabbath was fulfilled in Christ who is now our eternal, continuing Sabbath rest. The law that separated Jews from Gentiles was done away by the cross of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-18).
Is it wrong to work on Sunday?
We are no longer under the Sabbath law where it was clearly forbidden to do any kind of work. While Christians traditionally worship on Sunday, the dictates of the law of the Sabbath did not carry over to Sunday under the New Covenant.
With that said, let us remember that “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24-25). While we are no longer under the schoolmaster, it is foolhardy to forget the lessons while under the law. Part of the reason for the Sabbath was to give man and animal a day of rest to begin the work week refreshed in body and spirit. While not an imperative for Sunday, there is still a practical principle that is important. Rest is needful and people operate better on many levels when they have a day free from work to focus on worship and family.
People are too often using their “liberty for an occasion to the flesh” (Galatians 5:13) and Sunday becomes like any other day. People are overworked and too occupied with the affairs of life. Sunday worship becomes something to hurry and get finished so people can leave and go work.
Saints of God must set aside time to worship with other believers and not allow the busyness of life to infringe on more important things. While we are not Sabbath keepers and should not be under bondage to that law, there is wisdom and spiritual benefit to keeping our special worship day free from a lot of outside activity on a general basis.
—mws
