The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God

Short Studies in Biblical Theology

by Guy Prentiss Waters, Dane C. Ortlund (Editor), Miles V. Van Pelt (Editor)

A Short Study of the Sabbath from Creation to Consummation

When it comes to the Sabbath, Christians have different ideas on what it means and how to observe it. For many people, it is a day to go to church and have fellowship with other believers. What they often miss, though, is that the Sabbath is intricately tied to rest and worship--both of which ultimately point to the Lord as our creator and redeemer.

In this addition to the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, Guy Prentiss Waters offers an introductory study of the Sabbath from the creation of the world to the consummation of all things when Jesus returns. He shows how the Sabbath is observed through the major themes and genres of the Bible--creation, law, prophets, Jesus, and the apostles--and how that applies to our lives today. Waters teaches us about the Sabbath's full restoration in the new heavens and the new earth and its continual reminder of the covenant that God has made with his people.

Written for New Believers and Seasoned Saints Alike: Perfect for laypersons, pastors, college and seminary students, and academics Practical: Examines how the Sabbath is relevant to the church now as well as how it will be restored in the new heavens and the new earth Short Studies in Biblical Theology: Part of a series designed to give readers accessible volumes on God's word

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

About the author

Guy Prentiss Waters (PhD, Duke University) is James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson. He is the author or editor of fifteen books and numerous chapters, articles, and reviews. He is a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book helpfully provides a biblical theology of sabbath, but sees more continuity than the evidence warrants between the sabbath in the Old Testament, and worship on the first day of the week in the New Testament. Waters views Colossians 2:16 (“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath”) as a description of the Jewish liturgical calendar, with its festivals and feast days, but contends that “Paul’s comments, however, say nothing about the weekly Sabbath.” I am not persuaded. This interpretation results in a final chapter in practice that is more prescriptive on keeping a so-called “New Covenant Sabbath” than anything clearly written in the New Testament itself.

[Luke Gorsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect intro to the Sabbath. A book you can hand someone who is newly interested because it's not overly technical but answers most questions. Traces sabbath from Genesis to Revelation and brings home conclusions for NT believers. It is from the theological perspective found in The Westminster Confession/ or 2nd London Baptist confession.

[Zach Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am slightly bias, being that the author was a former professor and is a beloved member of my presbytery. That said, Dr. Waters provides a compelling exegetical and theological defense of the Sabbath. He also provides practical application throughout the book that is summarized in the closing pages.

However, these are not his greatest strengths. The greatest is to accurately portray the Sabbath as good, beautiful, and needed. As Paul said, so Waters echoes: “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” Or with David, “Oh how I love Thy law, O Lord!” One will not read this book without rejoicing in our gracious God and Savior who gives us rest.

[Peyton Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little review was refreshing.

As someone who never gave the Sabbath much thought, this book surprised me with how thoroughly the theme is traced through the whole Bible. I had "Aha!" moments seeing his explanations of passages I didn't know and obvious passages I simply hadn't considered the implications of.

It felt like there were some redundant portions, but that did help the book to serve as an introduction. There were lines of logic I felt were over-stressed -- for instance, how Jesus' miracles performed on the Sabbath showed what His Sabbath freedom is like, when they were not particularly different than miracles performed other days -- so, not wrong, maybe just a tad over-stressed in my reading.

But whatever downsides this book has are definitely outweighed by the "Aha!" moments, especially in so short a book. I may not feel a necessity to regulate my own observance, but this book has grown my appreciation of taking weekly Sabbath rest. It may be something I think about and discuss for some time.

[Gabie Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on the Sabbath Day and the continued observance of it! This is a wonderful primer for any reader interested in learning about the Sabbath, and it is also a great encouragement to those who already strive to keep the Lord's Day holy. The author gives a full scriptural case for Sabbath keeping and addresses many of the common objections to it. I personally appreciated the practical applications at the end of the book where the author gives ideas for making a good use of the Lord's Day. A short and edifying read, free to listen on Hoopla!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book I’ve read this year. A great Biblical-Theological overview of Scripture’s teaching about the Sabbath. Waters’ writing is rich and warm. I could see using this for a small group study to take 6 weeks and cover a chapter; Its also a wonderful aid for talking about the transition of the weekly rest from Saturday to Sunday and the Christian’s observance today. Great resource, fulfills what it sets out to do and more.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Thus, the Sabbath is a weekly reminder that we are entirely dependent upon Christ to bring us near to God. As we undertake the labors that God has appointed for us on the other six days, we remember that nothing that we will ever do in the work of our callings can supplement, much less replace, what Christ has done on our behalf.”

[William Schrecengost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. I liked his connection of the sabbath to the resurrection and eschatology. Rest and communion with God is what we were made for and are meant to work towards and out of. Sabbath is given to us as a promise of our eternal sabbath with God.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s a great primer on how the whole Bible talks about the Sabbath. And it's not just in the 10 commandments! From Genesis to the Prophets to Jesus to the Epistles to Revelation, there’s talk of the Sabbath. I especially loved how Waters demonstrates how Jesus obeyed the heart of the law, but pulled away all the parts that were not as God intended. He also covers how the Sabbath moved from the last day of the week to the first.

This is a wonderful way to get a grasp of our “why” for the Sabbath, what it points to and what we are telling the world. Anyone seeking a fuller understanding of their Sabbath rest will be delighted.

[Ben Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too neat!

[Karsten Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guy Prentiss Waters hits the nail on the head with this short, biblical-theological study of the Sabbath. He skillfully weaves his way throughout the Old and New Testaments to show how the Sabbath was created for all of man to “draw close and enter into renewed fellowship with the One who made us and who redeemed sinners at the cost of His own Son.”

The contents of this book are standard for biblical-theology. God’s original design of the Sabbath in Genesis marks the start of the book, and the development of the Sabbath throughout the biblical narrative is expounded. Waters, like every seasoned biblical-theologian, shows how the Sabbath culminates in Christ and is ultimately an eschatological eternal state for the people of God. Christians will one day enter into “God’s rest” and enjoy the Lord in perpetuity.

One of the strengths of this book is Waters’ handling of Pauline passages that seem to contradict the Sabbath. He shows how these passages are not anti-Sabbath but address other issues altogether. Thus, Waters’ conclusion is that the Sabbath “remains a commandment that God’s people under the new covenant must observe.” And as he understands it, the Sabbath is the first day of the week where believers gather to worship the Lord, seek spiritual refreshment, and recount His majesty.

I admit I haven’t spent much time reflecting on the Sabbath, but from discourse with others, the view of the Sabbath taking place specifically on Sunday is one that one that I haven’t heard much. I’ve heard that believers should pick a day and practice a Sabbath then. However, I haven’t seen much biblical grounding for it. If you’re wanting to address that debate, this book may be a helpful resource but should not be the primary one you consult.

Overall, this is a good book.

[Matthew Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I taught through this in my Sunday school, and it was a great guide. Though I think the book leaves out some things that are important to the discussion, I think that is understandable given the brevity of the book.

Given the brevity, I think it paints a clear picture that the sabbath is an important theme that weaves itself from the beginning to the end of history, demonstrated in creation, the exodus, the wilderness, the 10 commandments, the sign of the mosaic covenant, the reason for the Babylonian exile, the failure to enforce it after returning to the land, Christ’s restoration of the sabbath, and the transition to the new creation with Christ’s resurrection on the 1st day as a true turning point in history of which will be consummated in the eschaton. That is the sabbath rest that remains for the people of God that we still anticipate every Lord’s Day, where we stir each other up to that hope as the day draws near.

In a culture that abandoned this 50ish years ago for various reasons, it’s an important message delivered thoughtfully for a people who need help to Remember the Sabbath and the blessing and refreshment that it is for man.

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Guy Prentiss Waters, is all about the topic in this approximately 130 page volume, “The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God”. Waters uses scripture from Genesis to Revelation to support and discuss the topic of Sabbath Rest. He begins with creation and God taking rest on day 7 and following the historical changes effecting the Protestant church from Jewish church as well as changes to what it means to “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”. Other areas discussed include looking at the Sabbath as it relates to Biblical Law, Prophets, Christ, New Creation and Practices. There are little to no personal stories included. Waters sticks with scripture and facts, including notes at the bottom of each page as needed. This short book is focused on subject matter not fodder.

All things considered, an important topic that is a controversial concern by many, handled well with solid scriptural support📚

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent work by GP Waters. Firmly roots the Sabbath in both creation and redemption. Then draws the lines to the consummation and shows how we should be the best of Sabbath-keepers now that Christ has come, not the worst. Also takes the time to show why Paul's anti-special days passages are not anti-Sabbath. While this might not become my go-to Sabbath primer, since the biblical-theology approach on this topic is probably less helpful than the systematic one, it is still a very welcomed and necessary read.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Waters succinct overview of the Sabbath theme in Scripture. He argues successfully for the abiding nature of the Sabbath--keeping in mind the change which the resurrection instigates--and for the fact that the Sabbath is not an incidental theme in Scripture. This would be a very profitably book for Christians to spend a few Lord's Day afternoons reading.

[Nate DeRochie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good intro to how the theme of Sabbath rest plays out in (and even drives forward) the biblical narrative. While this is not as in-depth as other treatments (e.g., Barcellos’s Getting the Garden Right), it serves its function well! I appreciate the succinctness of the arguments. The application principles at the end were also extremely beneficial!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very solid Reformed overview of the Sabbath day.

[Saul W · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Lit (eschatologically)

[Brandon Barrier · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid read, short and to the point. Waters spends most of the book focusing on the history of the Sabbath in the Bible. In the final chapter, he takes his information and applies it to where we are as modern-day Christians.

[Melanie Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tackled this book in response to one of my children being convinced of the need for a continued day of Sabbath rest (set forth in this book as being a Sunday observance). While the author did not provide a convincing argument for this stance (neither a continual observance of a designated day, nor the move of that day from Saturday to Sunday), I did enjoy the consistent reiteration of Jesus having provided the completed work of which the initial Sabbath observance was a foreshadowing. We rest in His finished work on our behalf. He IS our Sabbath rest.

I do agree with the author in his understanding of The Lord’s Day being the current day on which Believers gather for the expressed purpose of worshipping God — or as Acts 2 puts it, the day where we devote ourselves to “meeting together for fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” However I do not see this as a switching of Sabbath observance, but rather as a reinforcement of the truth that Jesus is now our Sabbath rest, and that His resurrection points to a new day called “Today.” Where anyone who hears His voice can enter into the rest brought by Jesus’s completed work on our behalf. We now rest every day in faith.

I have no problem with the idea that man still needs to rest from his daily work for the purpose of maintaining the health of mind and body. I currently believe this can be done on any day of the week, not just Saturday or Sunday (though I’m not opposed to being convinced that it should remain as the 7th day, per Genesis). The fulfillment of the salvific requirement of the Sabbath command may have been accomplished in Christ, but our bodies are still corporal and need physical rest in order to accomplish life’s necessary work for survival.

I plan to talk out the notes I took while reading this book once I have a day to spend with my son. That might change some of my current understanding. But this review is based on the day I completed the reading. :)

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book on the Sabbath in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series. The Sabbath has been a topic of much controversy during Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. It still is among Christians today. Author Guy Waters looks at the Sabbath from the lens of Biblical Theology and whether or not you agree with it, there’s still much to be commended for him looking at this topic from Genesis to Revelation.
After the series preface and introduction there are six chapters in this book. The first chapter is on the Sabbath and creation and the second chapter in on the Sabbath as it is taught in the Mosaic Law. Distinguishing the Sabbath as a Creation ordinance and Mosaic law stipulation is important. Then the next chapter looks at the Sabbath as it is taught in the Prophets followed by the next chapter on Christ and the Sabbath. Chapter five is on New Creation and chapter six is different than most of the books in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series in that it is on the practice of observing the Sabbath.
The author Guy Waters is a traditional conservative Reformed Presbyterian and his handling of the subject matter shows. Yet I think there’s quite a biblical and balance approach he took in the book especially when you get to the practice. He isn’t a strict Sabbatarian nor does he think resting in Christ doesn’t matter. I do appreciate this book and it made me think about resting in Christ. I have things to still think about such as the Lord’s Day and Sabbath; I have always felt the Lord’s Day on the first Day of the Week symbolize that with Christ’s resurrection there’s something altogether new rather than it being merely a change of day for the Sabbath. This is a great read and I enjoyed how edifying it is.

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful biblical theology of the sabbath. Concise yet sufficiently thorough, tracing Sabbath theme from Genesis to Revelation.

While very little of the book is devoted to practical application, the underlying principles highlighted still provide a helpful framework for assessing what Sabbath observance could and should look like for believers today: 1) Rest from the work that characterizes your Monday through Saturday (aside from works of worship, necessity, and mercy); 2) don’t over complicate it/keep the main thing the main thing; and 3) avoid the equal opposite errors of extreme permissiveness on the one hand and legalism on the other.

And more practically: 1) set apart the whole day for intentional worship, 2) find ways to enjoy fellowship and extend hospitality, 3) seek spiritual refreshment.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introductory treatment of the Sabbath from a classic Reformed perspective, i.e., Sunday, the first day of the week, is the 'new covenant' Sabbath and is qualified by the teachings of Jesus on the Sabbath, which means that it is meant for our benefit not for our harm. Though many will not agree with this book, because of the clarity of the prose and the brevity of the book, it will serve as go-to for those seeking an understanding of a Sabbatarian approach to the Sabbath that avoids the Pharisaism that many fear with Sabbath observance.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short biblical theology of the Sabbath, from creation to consummation. Waters sees significant continuity between the OT Sabbath and the NT Lord's Day, but I am not able to agree with all of his conclusions. At the same time, I appreciated his explanations of the Sabbath's function as a kind of "weekly reset", reminding us that we were made for more than work - a rest that enables us to "return to our callings of the other six days with the clarity and perspective that we need to live in a way that pleases and honors our great God". (133)

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful overview. Overall, I think the author is correct in his conclusions and I appreciate his method of canonical reading. I don't think his arguments about all the epistles are air tight, but that's the nature of the topic when no prescriptions for Sunday Sabbath keeping are really given. The general theological significance of sabbath from Genesis through Christ is otherwise very well explained and right on, I think.

it's a concise work so more can be said, of course. This was good to read in concert with Brueggeman and Heschel. Different methods and complementary.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book in Crossway's series "short studies in Biblical Theology." It is compact with scripture and yet short and easy to read. The author clearly goes through Scripture to describe the Sabbath; how it looked in the Old Testament and New Testament and how we can apply Scripture to our lives today. Observing the Sabbath is one of the commandments, is for us to observe today and as the author points out, should be a delight to observe.

[Kieran Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book on Sabbath from Creation to consummation.

Waters' skilled use of biblical commentary really captures the principle of Sabbath and its application in the mosaic law.

I particularly enjoyed his exposition of what Sabbath looks like in the New Covenant. This is somewhat a hot topic with many Christians.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone exploring the principle of Sabbath and what it means for us today.

[Dylan Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Sabbath is a microcosm of human history—creation, redemption, and consummation. It captures the purpose and goal of human existence (eschatological life with God) and acts as a perpetual reminder of that purpose and goal”.

Theologically rich throughout and finishes on a practical rather than prescriptive note. Good stuff.

[Luke Schmeltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the Sabbath from Old Covenant to New! After doing a lot of studying and writing on the Christian Sabbath lately, this book presents clearly and concisely everything I was looking for. It presents a compelling biblical and practical case for honoring the Lord’s Day as a day of holy rest and worship. A little technical at times, but a great read to recommend!