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Our Father says He gave the sons of Israel His "Sabbath
sign" that they might know that it is He who sanctifies them,
and, that they are to "keep," even to, "hallow His Sabbaths" (Ezekiel
20:12,20).
A "sign" is an "owth," meaning, "a signal (literally
or figuratively), a flag, beacon, monument, evidence, a mark,
an ensign, a token."2 Also, to be "sanctified" is to
be "consecrated, dedicated," to be "set apart," here meaning for
our Father in Heaven. Therefore, when we celebrate our Father's
Sabbath day, we give testimony, both to the Father and to ourselves,
as to our "consecration" to Him. Also, the world around us sees
that we are "set apart" for Him, and that He is our source, protection
and provision. Thus does keeping the Sabbath serve as a "sign"
to all. It "marks" us as those who belong to the God of Israel.
It serves as a beacon for those who are drawn to our Father's
truth. But, be warned: It also causes us to serve as evidence
to those who oppose the truth about His Sabbaths.
Yahveh told His people to "keep" His Sabbaths. This
means they are to "shamar" His Sabbaths, which is "to hedge about
(as with thorns), to guard, protect, to attend to; it is to take
heed, to mark, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save, and to
watch for--like a watchman."3 Thus, it is the duty
of the "watchman" to "preserve" Yahveh Elohim's Sabbaths.
2
Strong's Hebrew word # 226.
3 Strong's Hebrew word # H8104.
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