Monday Morning Mail, 17th March 2014

Loving God | Loving Each Other | Loving our Community

Good Morning!

We tend to think of commandments as being the opposite of freedom, don't we?

But yesterday morning, we were thinking about the Fourth Commandment, and we saw that it is precisely about freedom.

For generations, the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt. Their Exodus started when Moses, prompted by God, asked Pharaoh for the people to be able to take time off so that they could worship him in the desert. 10 plagues later, Pharaoh let the people go for good (helped by God, the Red Sea, etc).

Now they are at Mt Sinai, finally worshipping God together rather than labouring as slaves in Egypt. And God gives them a commandment that they are to take a day off every week!

It's the first law of its kind anywhere in the world; it's also the first law I'm aware of that protects working animals from exploitation by their owners.

The two editions of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5) give different reasons for the command. In Deut 5, it is because the people are no longer slaves. In Exodus 20 it is because God took a day off in creation, but that reason only makes sense if we're meant to be reflecting God's image in taking time to rest and in giving those around us time to rest as well. In other words, we're children of the King, not his slaves. And since we are no-one's slaves, we can take a day off in celebration of our freedom to worship our Father, our King and our God.

Of course, we aren't Israelites. We don't have to follow the Old Testament Law, and yet we are still God's children. We are not slaves to our employers, our careers, our bank accounts or other people's opinion of us. The Sabbath command was never meant to be interpreted legalistically – the whole OT law shows throughout that it is based on values to be upheld rather than strict laws with loopholes, and that's how Jesus treats it too.

It's a great thing to do to have a day off and celebrate our freedom. It's great to use it to be able to enjoy creation, to enjoy families and friends, and to worship God together. If we're too busy to meet with other Christians to worship him, either on Sundays or midweek, then we're too busy.

Here's a modern English version of the Morning Collect from the BCP:

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord,
to know you is eternal life
and to serve you is perfect freedom:
defend us your humble servants
against all assaults of our enemies,
that surely trusting in your defence,
we may not fear the power of any adversary;
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless,

John