Strong Tower
A daily scripture exposition.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Leviticus 23:32 NLT
“This will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and on that day you must deny yourselves. This day of rest will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day.”
Sabbath of Sabbaths
The biblical Israelites took great care to ensure that the observance of the Sabbath, particularly the Sabbath of Sabbaths, was adhered to within a predefined timeframe. Despite their intentions, they often fell short of fulfilling the true purpose of this holy day. This failure can be attributed to the traditions of men that gradually crept into the interpretations of divine instructions. Over time, various additional restrictions were imposed instead of adhering to the guidelines as they were initially intended. For example, activities such as applying perfume, wearing leather shoes, and bathing were deemed inappropriate on the Sabbath. These restrictions were established to maintain compliance with the law and, ultimately, to seek God’s approval. However, it raises an important question: Did these actions genuinely please God?
In the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 6:16, Jesus directly confronted the misguided practices surrounding fasting, particularly during Yom Kippur. He highlighted that presenting oneself in a gloomy or distressed manner while fasting does not enhance a person’s state of repentance. While such outward displays might earn praise or recognition from others, they do not align with God’s intentions for true repentance. Jesus emphasized that the ability to experience the rest that God offers is not contingent upon our personal efforts or strengths but through our faith in Him. He made this invitation clear in Matthew 11:28 when He declared, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Moreover, it is crucial to comprehend that self-denial on sacred days like Yom Kippur was never intended to bestow power or ensure a bountiful harvest; its true purpose lay in seeking genuine forgiveness for one’s sins. It is also a misunderstanding to believe that abstaining from food and drink gives any spiritual authority to anyone because it never did in the Old Testament, and one can’t expect it to rival Jesus’s death. Nonetheless, self-denial is a vital tenet that every follower of Christ must embody, but not in the act of giving up food or other luxuries. Instead, it is about aligning our hearts and attitudes with the mindset of Christ. True self-denial involves a sincere commitment to addressing our shortcomings with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through diligent study of God’s Word. It is a holistic process of transformation aimed not only at external behaviours but at the very core of our being.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that I will not act contrary to Your instruction but willfully do Your will. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
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