Exodus 35:1 Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do:
Commentary seems full of equivocations on these verses, spouting things like the difference between general work and business (no business allowed on Sabbath) and that not lighting a fire was talking about fire used for cooking or business purposes, but it was ok to light a fire for heat and light.
Exodus 35:2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.
When someone interprets the Bible according to their ideas and ideals, that’s problematic for me. “Oh, God meant this or that when He said….” Really? It’s convenient that God meant exactly what you just said and that it supports your philosophies.
Exodus 35:3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
Precious Savior, I know I can be jaded, but I have seen the Bible used and abused by so many. I want to understand what You said and what You meant in the cultural and historical context and what that means for me today. Help me to understand Your word without corrupting it with my personal preferences. Help me, Jesus.
Exodus 35:4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded:
Have a blessed day.