Sun Day vs Shabbat

10 Aug

Daniy’el (Daniel) 7:25

“And he will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High, and try to change the appointed times and the law, and they will be delivered into his hand until a time and times and half a time.”

Sun-day and Sun Worship

1st day of the week - commanded to keep this day by Constantine, a Roman Emperor

The day called Sunday originally comes from ancient sun worship, honoring the sun god, a practice common in many pagan cultures. When Emperor Constantine declared Sunday a day of rest in the 4th century, it was a political move that aligned Christian worship with existing sun worship traditions.

This shift moved believers away from the Biblical Shabbat (the seventh day) that Yahusha and the early Natsarim (followers) observed, blending pagan customs into Christian practice.

Shabbat

7th day of the week - commanded to keep by The Most High

"Oh, that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and guard ALL My commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children FOREVER." Devarim (Deuteronomy) 5:29

The 4th Commandment

Following Yahuah’s Commandments: The fourth commandment instructs believers to remember and keep the Shabbat qodesh as a lasting covenant with Yahuah. We must seek to honour Yahuah by obeying His Torah, including observing Shabbat.

Shamoth (Exodus) 20:8-11)

8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it qodesh (holy).
9 Six days shall you labour, and do all your work.
10 But the seventh day is the Shabbat of Yahuah your Aluahym: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor the stranger who is within your gates.
11 For in six days Yahuah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day: therefore Yahuah barak the Shabbat day and made it qodesh.

We are instructed to follow Yahusha’s example and teachings, who observed the Torah, including Shabbat (Luke 4:16). Observing Shabbat aligns believers with the original faith of Yashar’al (Israel) and the early followers of Yahusha.
Spiritual Rest and Renewal: Shabbat is a gift of rest, a time to cease from ordinary work and focus on a relationship with Yahuah through worship, study, and fellowship. It renews the body, mind, and ruach (spirit).
A Sign of Covenant: Shabbat serves as a sign between Yahuah and His people (Shamoth 31:13), reminding believers of their unique relationship and calling to be qodesh (holy).

How to Observe Shabbat

I am still new to observing Shabbat, so I’m not yet 100% certain if I have the day and timing correct according to the Gregorian calendar. But with time, study, and dedication, I’ve come to see that it is a beautiful day to honour our Creator and to truly rest.

I currently begin Shabbat at sunset on Friday and end it at sunset on Saturday
Friday evening at sunset, I read Psalm 92 and say a prayer

‘May Yahuah’s rest surround our home, may His shalum guard our hearts, and may this Shabbat be a delight as we remember His covenant together. ‘Between Yahuah and us, His people, it is a sign forever…” Shemoth (Exodus) 31:17

No buying or selling - if I need to order anything online, I try to ensure that it won’t be delivered between Friday sunset and Saturday sunset. Also, I ensure that everything I need, food-wise, etc., has been purchased before Shabbat begins.
No hard labour - housework and meal prep should be done the day before.
Abstain from worldly pleasures (social media, TV, reading or listening to anything non-scriptural, etc., and instead offer this time to Him, resting and drawing near to His presence.
No working out - this is a day of rest. I do, however, walk my dog, but I use the time to either palal (pray) while I walk, listen to something relating to Scripture or play Torah aligned songs (a few artists I listen to can be found here)
The Shabbat is a Feast day, so it’s nice (though not necessary) to share this time, especially mealtime, with family or friends (but remember, no ordering or buying food from takeaways or restaurants because we shouldn’t be promoting others to work either, regardless of their beliefs).
Read Scripture throughout the day, give thanks for the rest, the food, etc.
If you have a 7-branched Menorah, you may like to light this at the start of Shabbat as a reminder of Yahusha (this is optional and must never become a form of idolatry).
“Shabbat was made for man, not man for Shabbat.”
Marqus (Mark) 2:27
This means Shabbat is a gift given by Yahuah to bring rest, refreshment, and a Berakhah (blessing) to us, not a burden or strict rule to weigh us down.

How to Rest on Shabbat with Young Children

Prepare Ahead:
Get meals, laundry, and chores done before Shabbat begins, so you’re not rushed or stressed during the day.
Create Shabbat Rituals:
Establish simple rituals like lighting candles, barak (bless) the children, and Torah or Biblical-related reading stories about Shabbat. This helps children understand the specialness of the day.
Set Clear Boundaries with Love:
Explain gently what kinds of activities are “Shabbat-friendly” (rest, quiet play, family time) and what isn’t (work, electronics). Kids often respond well to clear expectations.
Include Restful Activities:
Choose calm, engaging activities like reading Torah stories, singing Shabbat songs, drawing, or going for a nature walk.
Rest When They Rest:
Nap times are golden! Use those quiet moments to rest yourself, palal, or meditate on His Word.
Invite Community:
If possible, connect with other families or a local community that observes the Shabbat. Shared meals and fellowship can lighten the load.
Be Patient and Flexible:
Children bring joy and energy, so embrace the imperfection. The heart of Shabbat is setting apart time for Yahuah and family - even if it looks different from quiet solitude.

Verses to study

Marqus (Mark) 7:8-9 (NKJV)
"For laying aside the commandment of Aluahym, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pitchers and cups; and many other such things you do."
And He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of Aluahym, that you may keep your tradition."

Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:8 (NKJV)
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Mashiach."

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 29:13 (NKJV)
"Therefore, Yahuah says: 'These people draw near with their mouth and honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.'"

Mattityahu (Matthew) 15:3 (NKJV)
"Why do you also transgress the commandment of Aluahym because of your tradition?"

Further Study Suggestions

Understanding the Shabbat

How to Observe the Shabbat