Visiting the Prophets on Sabbath

When the son of a Shunammite woman died, she asked her husband to send a servant and a donkey to the prophet Elisha. Her husband replied,“Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? It is neither new moon, nor sabbath” (2 Kings 4:23). His reply suggested that it was customary for Israelites in Old Testament times to visit the prophets on Sabbath, perhaps to participate in worship services or to study, hear, and learn the Word of God. In this story, the woman goes to the prophet Elisha, and after returning with her to her home, he raised the dead boy to life.

 

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Many wars are fought over natural resources and food production, and the same technologies that have allowed for tremendous increases in crop yields also exact terrible collateral damage on the environment and on humanity. Tthe Bible’s Sabbath rest on the seventh day of each week, and the principles of wisely using and safeguarding the resources found in our environment, could make a difference for us today.

Is Sabbath a Christian Holiday?

The Biblical Sabbath has always been the seventh day of the week, what we call Saturday. However, the “Christian Sabbath” is today almost universally recognized as Sunday, the first day of the week. This day of worship dates back to the convergence of religious and political power under the Roman Catholic Church in the middle ages.

Sabbath Rest: A Common Experience

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