Read: Deuteronomy 5:12-15
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand. (v. 5)
You may recall from earlier in this devotional series that there are two places in the Bible where the Ten Commandments are recorded: Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Whereas Exodus20 grounds Sabbath in creation, Deuteronomy 5 grounds it in liberation.
Here’s the logic of Sabbath-keeping in Deuteronomy: Once you were slaves in Egypt, and there is no rest for slaves. A slave is forced to work. But we’re not in Egypt anymore! God has rescued you from your taskmasters. Now you can take a day and rest. So don’t go back to Egypt! Don’t take up that burdensome yoke God has removed.
Every time we practice Sabbath, it’s a celebration of our freedom, which ultimately comes in Jesus Christ. We can stop our work, even though there is still much to do, simply because we’re free. No one but God is master over us. Sabbath, however, is not just about our own freedom. It’s also about the call to love our neighbors by seeking justice for those who are pressed down and chained up. In the words of Norma Wirzba, the Sabbath command “carries a strong emancipatory thrust” (Living the Sabbath). We join the Spirit’s work in setting captives free, whatever their taskmasters might be. A Sabbath heart beats with compassion and justice for all.
As you pray, thank God for the freedom you have in Christ and pray for those who are victims of injustice and oppression.
About the Author
Brian Keepers has been an ordained pastor in the Reformed Church in America for 23 years. He is currently serving as the lead pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. Brian is married to Tammy, and they have two daughters and a granddaughter.
