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Exodus 35:1–3 “Sanctuary in Time”

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3–5 minutes

Exodus 35:1-3 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

After coming down from Mount Sinai, Moses gathers the entire assembly of the Israelites (v. 1). The word “assembly” translates the Hebrew word edah, which refers to a religious community. Therefore, instead of simply translating it as “the entire assembly of the Israelites,” it is better to render it as “gathered the Israelites as a community of faith.” This implies that Moses gathered the people and restored them as a worshiping community.

Then, the very first command Moses gave them was the observance of the Sabbath (v. 2). The phrase “must be put to death” was not meant as a legal sentence but as a warning. It emphasizes just how important Sabbath observance is. The command “Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings” (v. 3) means that they were not to light fires for cooking food. Among the Israelites, it became customary to prepare any food that required fire on the day before the Sabbath.

Meditation:

After the long instructions concerning the Tabernacle and the priests (Exodus 25–31), the Lord emphasizes the importance of keeping the Sabbath (31:12–17). This conveys the message that the purpose of the Tabernacle and priestly guidelines is ultimately to help the people keep the Sabbath holy. That is why, before beginning the construction of the Tabernacle, Moses once again stresses the command to keep the Sabbath holy. If the Tabernacle is a sanctuary in space, then the Sabbath is a sanctuary in time. Before God established a sanctuary in space, He first established a sanctuary in time. This was God’s principle of creation.

The reason the Sabbath regulations are emphasized so strongly is to help the Israelites remember that they are God’s people. By fully resting one day a week, they were to recall that their lives depended entirely on God’s provision and care. “Work” represents labor for survival. Choosing not to work for one day each week was a declaration of trust—that their survival rested entirely in God’s hands. On the Sabbath, they were to worship God and share His grace with their neighbors. It is only after remembering and acknowledging that our very being depends on God that we can truly learn and practice His Word.

Jesus abolished the physical temple and made the whole world His sanctuary. In the same way, He did not simply reinforce the tradition of setting apart one day a week as holy; rather, He made all time holy. Those who worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) live in the Holy of Holies wherever they are and walk in sacred time whenever they live in fellowship with God. To remember, give thanks for, and celebrate this truth, we gather to worship on the Lord’s Day, the day of Christ’s resurrection, and we seek Him daily in the quiet places of our lives.

Prayer:

Lord of space, wherever we dwell, that place becomes Your kingdom.
Lord of time, each of our days is embraced by Your eternity.
All that we do is worship offered to You.
Our whole being is a sacrifice dedicated to You.
Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God made the Sabbath so we can rest and remember that He takes care of us. We don’t have to work all the time to be okay. God wants us to pause, worship, and live every day with Him—even in the ordinary moments.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • What do you like to do on Sundays? How can that be a way to worship God?
    • Why do you think God wants us to rest one day each week?
    • Can you think of a time when you felt God was with you outside of church?
  • For Youth
    • What helps you personally feel close to God during the week, outside of Sunday worship?
    • In what ways is your daily life an offering to God, like a quiet form of worship?
    • What does it mean to you that Jesus made all time and all places holy?

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