How to Keep A Proper Sabbath Observance

Keeping the Sabbath

      As modern Christians we considered our desire to please God and observance of the 7^th day of the week, the Sabbath, has come to our attention on more than one occasion.
The day came and a  thoughtful reading of Sabbath scriptures was due. 
For a time we even attended a Friday night service hosted by a Messianic Jewish brother, and considered purchasing a talith prayer shawl like Jesus wore.

But our traditional church meeting time was Sunday morning and we really had no clear Biblical teaching while in our old church, we only had a minimal understanding about the Sabbath observance. (in contrast to weekly exhortations to tithe, attend church, and the latest growth program).

In the Evangelical Christian world we were part of, we did not “observe the Sabbath because we were under “grace.”  We knew of 7^th Day Adventists and Baptists, Messianic Jewish Christians, and others who strongly emphasized “keeping the Sabbath” like they were. 

But we were not clear…  we saw where Jesus sort of observed the Sabbath and Paul was observed going to Synagogues to witness to his Jewish brethren that Jesus was Messiah. 

The scriptures say that a proper and Biblical Seventh day, as literally defined by God in the Old Testament, begins at sunset. 

In Genesis 1:13 for example, God said:

 “There was evening and there was morning, a third day”, and the other 6 days of creation are spoken of likewise. 
So a proper Biblical day began at sunset and a new day began the following day at sunset (on our Saturday evening)

There is no specific mention of the “Sabbath” until Exodus 16:23, which was about 2,500 years after creation.
 God did not give Abraham Sabbath observance when making Covenant with him. (However Abe was commanded circumcision)

We fast forward to Exodus and the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt.  After 430 years of serving the rulers of Egypt as slaves, the Lord told Moses and Aaron it was high time to get out of Goshen.  (Exodus 12).

The Lord God called the month they were called out of Egypt “the FIRST month (aka Abib)” (Ex.12:2), and they were given instructions for the next 14 days (which included two sabbaths).

The Lord commanded the mandatory requirement of sacrificing a lamb without blemish, and applying the lamb’s blood to the doorposts of their homes so the death angel would “Passover” and spare their lives.

This was to be observed and diligently kept as “an ORDINANCE FOR EVER”.

The Lord ordained also a mandatory feast called “Unleavened Bread” of “seven days” as an observance “an ordinance FOREVER":

And in verse 16 “And in the first day there shall be an holy *convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be a holy *convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.”
 (*convocation: means a public meeting, rehearsal, assembly)

Here God gave them the weekend off, and no work. Hooray!

 He also gave command to eat unleavened bread for seven days, in fact, the Lord ABSOLUTELY required that “there be no leaven found in your houses” or “eaten that which was leavened”  under penalty of death!   -Exo.12:3). 

God was very particular how and what they ate or it might be their last meal. 

The children of Israel were doing well so far, the Lord giving them specific instructions regarding the observances of the Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread, including a FEAST on the 7^th day, and admonishing them that when they went back into the Promised Land of the Canaanites they were to keep these observances “FOREVER”. 

Seems they were happy with this arrangement and God was with them:
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light”.

Many “oohs” and “ahhs” were heard at this time in the camp of Israel, and the word “WOW!” was invented to express awe.

Shortly after this, evil King Pharaoh decided to do some “ethnic cleansing” but God intervened by permanently baptizing the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (not to be confused with the Dead Sea). 
 “PRAISE GOD!!” –cried the Israelites and they celebrated joyously as the final bubbles surfaced over the watery grave of Pharaoh and Co.  

For three months the folks of Israel were given a desert tour by God, being fed, watered, and given specially anointed footwear guaranteed by God not to wear out

Unfortunately, those sorry excuses for victorious believers murmured and complained about how God was treating them.
So in Exodus chapter 16, God gave them some loving correction, and got a little more direct with them about the sabbath too:
Ex 16:23 And he said to them, This is that which the LORD has said, To morrow is the Rest of the holy sabbath to the LORD: bake or boil that which you will bake to day.

And the Sabbath gift was introduced.
Exodus 16:29 “See, for that the LORD has given you the SABBATH”.

Life was good, no taxes, a nice day of rest, God was feeding them, leading them, and they were getting real comfy with their walking tour through the countryside.

By chapter 19 of Exodus, it was time for God to give Moses more complete rules for His people, so He called Moses to come meet Him up on Mt. Sinai, and bring the people so they could fellowship and find out about God’s plan for their lives. 
 The Lord mentioned them being so special and how He wanted to bless them.  

But then in chapter 20, God stopped being “seeker-sensitive” while giving them His “Best Life Now” agenda for prosperity.
When “all the people saw the thunderings, and lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. “  

Then it happened: “WHOAA!! –we’re outa here!” they said when they saw and heard God was really awesome, serious, and they skee-daddled away from the mount where Moses was receiving the LAW.. 

“Ten’s enough for me!!!” - they hollered over their  shoulders as they “removed”.  -“Next thing ya know, He’s gonna bring up tithing!”

God had only got as far as giving the Ten Commandments when this happened. After the dust settled, He and Moses got back to work up there on Mt. Sinai, and the rest of the folks got back to their sports, games, and small talk about their neighbors and the weather. 

So The Lord and Moses worked out the rest of the details regarding God’s contract with Israel including things like “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (Ex. 21:24), smiting those that broke it, 
and… the SABBATH.

Sabbath times…

God was very picky when it came to His orders about the Sabbath.

It began on sunset Friday, (that was before Friday was invented, back then they only had numbers).  And the new interpretation (from God Himself) of the 3 month old Sabbath rules went like this:

Ex 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Ex 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Everyone, even slaves and animals had chores, no tasks for your employees, and no dishes or laundry.  No honey-do’s, no campfires, no stove cooking. 
And please do not make sabbath breakers of the “waitress”, or the chef in the restaurant that you used to visit after Sabbath before you read this.

Ex 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy to you: every one that defiles it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Ex 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 
 Now there’s some strong incentive to be Sabbath-careful! 
Keep that in mind when you read the next one!:

Ex 35:3 Ye shall *kindle no fire throughout your living quarters on the sabbath day.
  (*means consume, to burn, or heat.) 
You know, like the heater or house furnace, your car’s engine that burns gas, or the blow dryer for your hair. 

Now here’s a super Sabbath for you, it lasted a whole year!
Lev 25:4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest to the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. 

No plowing, planting, pruning so with that death penalty, we recommend not pruning the lawn either, just in case.  Even the ground itself got a vacation.

Suddenly, keeping the true Sabbath becomes challenging, and don’t forget that death penalty in Exodus 31:15.  

If you are going to keep the Sabbath now, you just can’t pick and choose verses, you know.

Num 28:9  on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: (was also commanded for the Passover Sabbath)

According to the law of the Passover Sabbath, you must remember to kill two spotless lambs, give two tithes of wheat flour with oil, and a drink offering to the priest.

Lev 16:31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall *afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.  *humble, submit, weaken, abase. 
Sports fans and football play-off watchers…beware!

Lev 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. 

 Now here’s a special little Sabbath you probably never heard about…  And a bit more about that:

Lev 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even to even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.

Lev 23:39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. 

Now hold on, God just said there was a special SABBATH on 7-1, 7-9, and 7-15 of the Jewish calendar??!  

Hmmm, how about that, God snuck another Sabbath or three in on the folks just to make sure they were paying attention!  

Lord have mercy, this Sabbath keeping just got complicated and you have us on a different calendar to boot!

And just to make sure they got the Sabbath correct, this happened in Numbers 15:
32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.  They put him in JAIL for sticks on the Sabbath?

35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Whoaa, you mean the church had to take that guy out and let him have it with the rocks?  Yes, that’s what God told them to do because he violated the Sabbath law.

About this time you may be thinking, “this Sabbath thing is pretty scary and they sure didn’t explain all those OTHER Sabbath scriptures to me very well.” 
 If you thought that you are CORRECT! 
And if you thought observing the Sabbath only meant driving over to a meeting Friday night or Saturday morning you were WRONG!

We could stop now with just those verses from the OT Law, and you would have plenty to think about.
 Remember, when Christ and the early church apostles came along, they knew those verses. 
All of them, death penalty and taking a year off from farming included.

So when someone tries to put you under the Sabbath, chances are 100% he does not keep the Sabbath law the way it was given either.

 Let’s see, to summarize a few points about really keeping the Sabbath:

-It was a mandatory observance upon penalty of death.

-In the 7^th year Sabbath, no planting or pruning. 

-No fire.  Period. Not the one in your cars engine, the house heating system, nor the stovetop.

-No work. Not for you, your kids, your employees, or your servants like the waitress and cook at the restaurant.

-No travel.  Whoops! –there goes the trip to church in the car whose engine burns gasoline for fuel.

-Observance of those tricky 7-1, 7-9, and 7-15 Sabbaths of the Jewish calendar you forgot to buy, and then there is that Passover Sabbath with the two lamb-sacrifice to watch out for.

Please don’t stone me, go back and re-read those Sabbath verses for yourself.
 About now you may be thinking:     "we got us us sabbath problems here"

Why even the apostle Paul said to the church in Galatians: 3:¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all  which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But not to worry, dear reader, the NEW Covenant is called a “BETTER covenant” than the Old Covenant which Paul said “was done away in Christ”, and “Christ is the END of the Law to all that believeth”, and “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace –Eph. 2:15; you can have peace with God and be free of the obligation of trying to keep the law of the Sabbath as given in the Old Covenant. 

See article "Tell Me, You Who Desire to be Under The Law"  

for a more thorough Scriptural explanation of our relationship to the OT law.  

WHICH Sabbath For a Nice Rest?

Putting the Sabbath to Rest
by Rory Moore

  

To-day we have a wonderful  sabbath rest to enjoy!

Would you like to see a revelation of a New Testament sabbath we all could use, near the end of this post there one that is overlooked.

Backround:
The sabbath laws and other commands were first given as part of the body of the law from the Old Covenant.  
  

1. The Old Covenant law required "DO ALL" many, many times.
Thus in Gal. 4:21 "Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?"

and he said 

" I testify again to every man that received circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  
You are severed from Christ, you (who) would be *justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.  "

*justify: to render innocent, justify, be righteous.

So where was sabbath commanded?
-In the Old Covenant law, of course.

 "The law" included every sabbath law and command:   

please, give close attention to sabbath law:

Exodus 31:14 You shall keep the sabbath, 
it is holy to you: every one that defiles it shall surely be put to death...  

Keep "Do ALL" in mind when you read what the disagreeing readers say.

It is very clear. "DO ALL..." means you can't go in and "diminish ought" from the parts your religion tells you that you cannot do such as keeping the sabbath upon penalty of death or keeping the feasts of the Lord IN Jerusalem 3 times a year, as God commanded.)

 >>>>> a reader who disagreed wrote:
"First I see you lumping together all of the Sabbaths, but it is only the seventh day Sabbath that was included in the 10 commandments <<<<<
My response is that God is the One who "lumped" all of His commands, statutes, and ordinances into the body of the whole law with the caveat to "DO ALL..".)

But the law is where God defined how it was to be kept.
It was not just only one day a week. 
-Plus a cyclical mid week sabbath on Passover.
-Plus there was a year long sabbath every 7th year. 

-Plus on "every Sabbath" there is to be a burnt offering:

"On the Sabbath day, make an offering of two lambs a year old without defect, together with its drink offering and a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil. This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering" (Num. 28:9,10).

Yet we all know these are an offense to Jesus' sacrifice.
Those who insist they are keeping the sabbath, and insist that others keep it  have a huge problem.
By the verse above we can see according to the letter, they have already broken the sabbath law.

>>>>> a reader who disagreed said: 

"We can all have different ways to keep the Sabbath, but who cares, as long as we are keeping the Sabbath and honoring God." <<<<<

My answer to "different ways to keep the sabbath" is:
God cares and was He very specific on how to keep the sabbaths. (there was more than just the one on the 7th day of the week). 
Keeping a partial sabbath your own way is dishonoring God who told them how to keep the sabbath. 

Notice the sabbath year:

Leviticus 25:4 But the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest to the land, a sabbath for the LORD 

2.   Where do you find the 10 Commandments? 
They are given in Exodus 20, and again in Deuteronomy 5 to Israel.
Dt.5: 31 ... and I will speak to you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it. (BTW, we do not live in that land.)

(please read the article about the sabbath laws and the parts they never told you about or excused for not doing) 

3.    Let's be honest. You want to keep this law or that one, a feast here, a sabbath there. A dietary law or two, a tithe. 

Notice: 
Psalms 119:160 The sum of thy word is truth...
We learn from the New Testament for the "sum" total regarding the truth, or else we are "diminishing" from the WHOLE Word of God. 

When did this "rest" begin to be fulfilled?
This promise was also mentioned by Isaiah, a prophecy of a future "rest" Isa 28:11 .. 
Fulfilled:

It began on Pentecost in Acts 2 and continued as God gave the Holy Spirit to them that believed. (Mark 16:18, Luke 24;47-49: Acts 1:8, etc.):
Acts 3:19 Repent and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
Thus the prophesied "rest and refreshing" came with the baptism of the Holy Spirit as Isaiah prophesied.

4.   Was the sabbath ever given as an ordinance to gentile churches through the apostles?

 If so, where is that instruction to any church or saint in the epistles and especially in Acts 15?When I searched I could not find any)

Note Acts 15 an important alert,
In a hot debate over the law and what to tell the churches, the Jewish apostles and elders did NOT tell the gentile churches to observe the sabbath!

-if it was to be observed as a universal ordinance, this was The time and place to decree sabbath keeping because they were debating which laws to have the churches observe..

5.  What was the Jewish apostle Paul referring to in these next verses written to Christians: 

Galatians 4:10  You observe days, and months, and times, and years. 
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore condemn you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: ???

Why was no one to judge or condemn the Colossians in regard to sabbath observances?
Simply because they were never commanded to observe the sabbath! 

Consistent with this is that in all the book of Acts through Revelation, there is not one reminder to keep a literal sabbath, circumcision, sacrifices, tithes, or feasts.... 

6.  We are in the NEW Covenant. 
That should be obvious, the old covenant has been "changed", "dis-annulled",  "blotted out", "abolished",  even "nailing it to the cross".
Thus: Hebrews 7:12

the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law.

Thus a change: per col. 2:14

having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

And so Galatians 5:18  if you are led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.

In Hebrews, speaking to those who had known the Law, the writer speaks of the "rest" God had given.

The "rest" on the sabbath day and all the sabbaths were spiritual figures of something coming later through a "better covenant":

Hebrews 10:1
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things... 
Hebrews 8:6 But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Let's look at a few SABBATH things here:

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

SABBATH changes.
Have you ever noticed the word "to-day" in this passage about the sabbath in Hebrews???
Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, 

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another  day by day, 
so long as it is called To-day; ....

How is "day by day" called "today"?  

Hebrews 3:15 while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 

Hebrews 4:7 He again defines a certain day,
 <calling it>   To-day,  saying in David, so long a time afterward, 
                 To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.

.7. Have you gotten the revelation for the "to-day" sabbath?

Did Jesus promise a rest for only the 7th day? 

-or is there a "rest" remaining to the people of God for "TO-DAY"?
"TO-DAY if you hear His voice..."

The "rest" is for "today", i.e., for the sons of God to enter into our NT promises by faith, as by believing they have received. (Mark 11:23-24)

Heb.4:3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest,
(i.e. a spiritual Sabbath rest in Christ).

There remains therefore a sabbath rest, (literally "a keeping of rest") for the people of God. This constant "keeping of rest" every day ("to-day") through the past tense promises is our New Testament spiritual Sabbath.

(10) For he that is entered into his rest has ... rested from his works, as God did from his. 

Our faith in Christ for each of these promises brings us into more of the rest. 

For example, if we believe that "by his stripes you were healed," then we will not keep seeking a healing but will rest accepting that it was accomplished at the cross.
This is real restful faith and pleases the Father when we trust HIM to meet our need.

Through believing the promises (salvation, healing, deliverance, provision) we enter into the on-going "sabbath" rest from our own works.

To-day the promise of rest is when we believe and become partakers of Christ (His health, holiness, and blessing), "if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end".
-i.e. resting in faith He will do for us what He said in His word!

THIS is "the rest" that the sabbath foreshadowed, as we cease from our own efforts and works and we "rest" in God's salvation to save, heal, deliver, and provide for us.


Is it a certain day we enter in to His rest for these promises? 
Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, 

To-day if ye shall hear his voice, 

"To-day"?
We have found the secret place of rest, because every day is "to-day"! 

He no longer limits a certain day (the 7th), but now in the New Covenant gives us the foreshadowed type from the old sabbath to our  EVERY DAY  rest.

That  is what "to-day" is! 

So what's the point? -just some more Bible knowledge to fuss over, another do and don't?

Here is the profound point of sabbath rest. The REAL Rest.

It is when we "rest" in Christ and have peace over the cares, worries, and struggles of life.

When we are not entering into His Rest, we worry, are anxious, fearful, stressed, oppressed, even to the point of sickness.

When casting cares upon Him leaving them in His hands, we rest as He works for us.

Praise the Lord Jesus who sets us free from obligatory observances.

 Scripture Notes:

* the curse: as given in detail by God and described in Deuteronomy 28.
** "to-day" as given in Hebrews as relating to the rest:
Strongs 2250 defines:
-the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset
-Any part of a day is counted as a whole day, hence the expression "three days and three nights" does not mean literally three whole days, but at least one whole day plus part of two other days.
-used of time in general

***past tense promises: we who believe "rest" in: 

"By His stripes ye WERE healed" 
1Peter 1:18 knowing that ye were redeemed
Mat 5:31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these shall be added to you.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering said to them, Have faith in God.
23 Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith come to pass; he shall have it.
24 Therefore I say to you, All whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

All rights reserved.

Bad Fruit. Cherry Picking Tithes and Law The case of Jacob

There is only ONE Covenant

1John 2:26 These things have I written to you concerning them that would lead you astray.

An issue we were presented with was tithing when a local church spokes-person gave a good cover story from the life of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. On the surface it really sounded reasonable.  It might inspire some to do likewise, especially anyone who accepts whatever they are taught by ministers. 

The approach was given based on a vow from Genesis 28:
 ²⁰ Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, ²¹ and if I return safely to my fathers home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.

22 And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me."

Doesn't that sound reasonable?
Make a deal with God in exchange for protection and provision, just make a pledge or vow to give 10% of everything God gives. It's even in the Bible.

Let's look at Jacob's vow of 10% and ask ourselves:

1. Jacob's vow. Did anyone in the New Testament scriptures make this vow?
    Answer:  Easy to answer, no one did. Ever.
2. Does the New Covenant instruct us to follow Jacob's vow to be blessed and provided for?
3. Do we need  to follow Moses' Law in the OLD Covenant?
4. Did the apostles instruct observing Abraham's Covenant? 

There is a tragic error committed by many Christians who love God. They do not know or understand the Covenant God made with us in Jesus Christ. 
 Are we blindly to  let  leadership define what Christianity is?

Which Covenant?

Hebrews 7:22 By so much also has Jesus become the (surety) of a better covenant
"surety": a surety, a sponsor,  a guarantee
"better": stronger, -, that is, (figuratively) better, that is, nobler: - best, better
"covenant":  (specifically) a contract (especially a divisory will): - covenant, testament.

Jesus is the guarantor of a better contract-testament-will-covenant than ANY of the previous ones. It is a better one than the one that included tithing, the Law of Moses, Jacob's vow, Noah's Covenant, Abraham's promised blessings, and the one God gave Adam.

The NEW COVENANT is a legal Will that supersedes, dis annuls, makes void, and replaces the ones that went before, and gives us the promise:

Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law to righteousness to every one that believes."

Hebrews 9:10 being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation

Our SALVATION  is a Greek word "SOZO" which means: Saved, Healed, Made Whole, Delivered and Preserved.
We don't need to go back under an old vow and try to make a deal with God.
ALL the promises are in Christ  -better promises and "a better covenant." 

We don't need to make a deal with God by making an oath or promise based on an OLD covenant; in fact, there is a sin committed by making an oath.
 James 5:12 "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth,
nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that you do not fall under judgment"

Let's compare some of these "better promises"  with Jacob's.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power has given to us all that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:

Is something lacking  "all that pertain to life and godliness" so we need to make a deal like Jacob?

• Philipians 4:20 "And my God shall supply every need  of yours accordingto his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
  
  You don't have to "tithe" to have your needs met in our "better covenant", that's ridiculous. 
  We only need to put faith in what God said He would do and act accordingly.
• Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?
  
  
  
• Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
• Matthew 6:31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
• 33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these shall be added to you.
  
   All we are required to do is to BELIEVE in what He said, put our FAITH in Him, TRUST him,  and walk in them accordingly.
  Proved by Jesus' instructions to His apostles, who gave us what He said; the terms of the New Covenant to the churches. (John 17:20)

So the CHURCH was never told to tithe, keep weekly sabbath, observe Jewish feasts and new moons, keep all the dietary laws, go to Jerusalem 3 times a year, pay a temple tax, or keep the commands, ordinances, and statutes that are written in the law of the old Covenant.

People are told to repent, live holy, and abide in the Words Jesus gave us through His disciples.
And the church is told *not* to make vows as Jesus said and James wrote.

1Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Where did the apostles, the foundational writers of the New Testament scriptures, 

command us to observe or keep any part of the sabbath day laws, an Old Testament feast, keep dietary laws, circumcision, or a tithing covenant?
No dear reader, these commands are not found in a single verse in our New Testament covenant, after the cross.

Where was the dividing line?
It was at the death of the testator, Jesus Christ. His death gave us His Will and the apostles and early church did what he told them to do.  It began in the Book of Acts. 

Here is where they said you would come under a curse if you go back to law:

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continues not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and stumbles in one point, he is become guilty of all.

( the curse includes things like sickness, disease, unbelieveing people coming against us, "accidents", debt, broken relationships with family. I wonder if any Christians ever have these happen in their lives or their churches?) 

The apostles said this of people who would put you under a law or vow God never made with the church: Galatians 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Even in the early church, a problem arose regarding the Old Testament laws and Christians:

Acts 15: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God...

NO TITHING!! No circumcision!! No mandatory sabbaths!!
No more blood sacrifices, no stoning of rebellious children!
No death penalty for breaking the sabbath laws, no stoning someone with a familiar spirit, no responsibility to kill witches.
No more  smiting the heathen with the sword.

No careful observance of feast days, unleavened bread, new moons, and 600 other mandatory requirements under as demanded under the Old Covenant.

What DOES this New Covenant offer?
The Promise of the Holy Ghost, Christ IN you.
The forgiveness of sins.
Righteousness, peace and joy.
Salvation for the soul.
Healing and health for our bodies.
Provision for food and clothing.
Deliverance from evil.
Release from bondages and addictions.
The faith to conquer and pull down our enemies strongholds.
Our needs being met.
Promises for our family and children to be saved.
Promises for  contentment with what we have.
Freedom from fearfulness and worry.
Walking in a love relationship with God.
Freedom from the Law of sin and death.
God's free gift of grace, His favor towards us..
The promise of "all things that pertain to life and godliness"
The opportunity for a fresh and new beginning in life.
The promise of power and authority through Christ.
Spiritual gifts including miracles, signs, and wonders.
The power and authority to cast out demons.
The power to overcome our trials through faith.
The authority to be kings and priests in His kingdom..............

The truth is the deal Jacob made with God for provision and safety pales in comparison to the promises of God in the New Testament which were purchased for us through the blood of Jesus.

Jesus made a sacrifice of His Life, body, and blood to bring us the same things Jacob desired to get from God in his bargaining. Except the Jesus Covenant isinfinitely and eternally greater than the one way back there that no one ever instructed the church to imitate.

The heart of the matter is many churches pervert these scriptures so they can pass along leavened teachings and benefit from the people they mislead and from whom they receive their livelihood.
Oh yes, they will say nice things like "God wants to bless you 100 fold, so if you do such and such He will", or other vain reasoning’s that sound good but lead astray those who were once delivered.

We repeat, the difference between Jacob's bargaining and Jesus' FREE gift is one of which covenant will you abide in? Why do you think Paul warned the Galatians about "another Gospel"? -that is a false gospel that sounds good like it will bring a benefit but is not part of the TRUE gospel given in the New Testament. 

There is only ONE Covenant in force that saves, don't believe anyone who explains away what Jesus gave us through the apostles, or let them put you in bondage to laws like tithing, dietary law, sabbath keeping, or a multitude of ordinances.

Addendum.

We encourage you to look at what God says about OUR Covenant: 

Jeremiah 31:31
Malachi 3:1
Luke 22:20
2 Corinthians 3:6
Hebrews 8:8, 8:13, 9:15, 12:24
Hebrews 9:16-17
Psalms 50:5
Ezekiel 37:26
Matthew 26:28
Mark 14:24
Romans 11:27
2 Corinthians 3:14
Hebrews 7:22
Hebrews 8:6-13
Hebrews 9:1
Hebrews 10:16
Hebrews 12:24
Hebrews 13:20
now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep with the BLOOD of AN ETERNAL COVENANT, even our LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

  

The Law of God Changed When Christ....

-rory moore

The amazing Changes in the NEW Covenant Jesus made \o/
These are all according to  scripture.

POINTING OUT HOW THE LAW OF GOD CHANGED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST...

by rory moore

Note the amazing Changes in the NEW Covenant Jesus made \o/
These are all according to the scripture.

Jesus changed the OLD covenant to the New when he fulfilled the final blood sacrifice,
The Old Covenant priesthood changed when the Perfect sacrifice was fulfilled.
Because the final sacrifice of the Law was fulfilled, the priesthood changed.

When the priesthood changed, the temple changed from a physical building to a Spiritual people,
When the people were changed, the City of God was changed from an earthly to a heavenly spiritual city,
When the city of God was changed, the "holy nation" was changed from Israel to one "bringing forth fruits".
When the nation was changed, the laws governing the holy nation were changed from being led of the letter (law) to the law of the Spirit of life.

He changed circumcision from the flesh to circumcision of the heart and spirit.
He changed the sabbath from one 24 hour day into a daily rest from self-efforts and worry to peaceful rest in Christ.
He changed the command not to kill into a command to not even to hate others and to love our enemies. John said if we hate our brother we are a murderer.
He changed the command not to commit adultery to not even look with lust upon another.

God changed the language the Testament language scripture came to us in from Hebrew to Greek.
Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

He changed the temple from a building made with hands to a temple "made without hands".
He changed the "house of God" from a building to the body of Christ.
He changed the desolated unholy city of Jerusalem to "NEW Jerusalem coming down from above"... (Gal. 4:26)
He changed the people from a natural people of flesh to a born from above people of the Spirit.

He changed the kingdom of God from an earthly nation of this world to a "kingdom not of this world"...
He changed the physical nation of Israel into the one “holy nation” <1Pet 5:9> of God in which there is “neither Jew nor Greek” (Eph. 2)
That is a short list, but it clearly illustrates that the eternal unchanging God does change the manner in which he works among men.~

Let's continue.

Jeremiah 31:31 (NASB)
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah

Luke 22:20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

1 Corinthians 11:25 (NASB)
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT)
6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.

Hebrews 8:13 Translation (NLT)
13 When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete.
It is now out of date and will soon disappear. (this happened with the finality of judgement upon Israel and the obliteration of the city, temple, priesthood, and nation.

Hebrews 9:15 Amplified Bible (AMP)
15 [Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance—since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement.
Hebrews 12:24 Amplified Bible

And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].

these and more are some of the reasons to view the Old by the words of the New Testament writers who themselves had come out of Judaism. 

They said we have a "BETTER COVENANT", yet so many are drawn back to tithing, sabbath law, dietary laws, and the harsh judgements in the Old Testament.