06.19.2014 Old Testament: Neh 9.13–15

To read the Bible in a year, read Nehemiah 9–11 on June 19, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

As the Levites led the congregation of Israel in prayer, they summarized Israel’s history, recounting to the Lord the many times that He had shown their fathers mercy. They also pointed out other good things He did for Israel, including this,

“You came down also on Mount Sinai, 
And spoke with them from heaven, 
And gave them just ordinances and true laws, 
Good statutes and commandments. 
You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, 
And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, 
By the hand of Moses Your servant. 
You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, 
And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, 
And told them to go in to possess the land 
Which You had sworn to give them.” 
(Nehemiah 9.13–15) 

When the Lord came down on Mount Sinai, speaking from heaven, He gave them just ordinances, true laws, good statutes, commandments, His holy Sabbath, precepts, statutes, and laws by the hand of Moses. The Lord also gave them bread, water, and the Land of Canaan.

Therefore, the Lord did not require keeping the Sabbath until He revealed it to and for Israel at Mount Sinai.