Festival Observance: “Is Shabbat not a Moed too? Should we not observe it as well?” (Pt.2)

This is a follow-up post to Festival Observance: “a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings”? and is largely in response to the natural question it generates (see below).

"If Shabbat (Sabbath) is a 'Moed' like the other Moedim (Festivals/Appointments), then why do we endeavor to observe it if we are not to observe the others while in exile?"

I’ve often asked myself this and similar questions, especially since Hosea 2:11 includes Shabbat as one of the observances יהוה said He would stop. I wonder, did Pharaoh allow the Israelites to stop working on Shabbat? And did the Assyrian kings allow 10-Israel not to work on Shabbat? And did Nebuchadnezzar allow Judah not to work on Shabbat? And did Hitler allow Judah to guard the Shabbat? I ask myself these questions rhetorically, for I see Shabbat as something we were never guaranteed outside the United Kingdom of Israel and/or Judah. Of course, there have been times where exiled Jews and Ephraimites were free to keep Shabbat if they so wished, like this semi-brief interlude some of us enjoy now. On another note, it is important to remember that in the Diasporas of antiquity and in modern times, Shabbat was/is certainly not a “complete” rest, even on the days we try to guard it. Shabbat seems to be designed for the individual and the nation, but it can’t be fully experienced as “a people” unless the entire nation embraces it as a sign of covenant between that nation/people and the Master יהוה. Hence, enjoy it while and if you can!

It is true that Shabbat is included in Leviticus 23 as a "moed" (Strong's H4150), but it differs and is actually distinguished in the passage (verse 23:4) as not being a seasonal and pilgrimage moed, all of which requires an altar and offerings to be brought to the Place of the Great Name (יהוה). So… my current stance… is this: we should try to observe Shabbat in exile if we can (for our own benefit, which was the original purpose), but it is not a national commandment that we are currently “required” to observe. Look at the Exodus 31:14, where the punishment of not observing Shabbat is “to be cut off from your people”. Well, the last I looked, 10-Israel remains in a “not a people” state (Hosea 2:14-23 not yet fulfilled), so how is a person to be cut off from "a people" that does not even exist currently. For clarification, the “people” of Ephraim have not re-formed into a national identity YET, with a body of elders to enforce the actual punishment of non-observance. Having the national identity removed 2700 years ago was Ephraim's punishment, which had many ramifications (such as the stopping of moed observance). That was a punishment set into place for Ephraim which I think we have to complete. Even so, I do think 2008/2009 may be the end of that punishment, but I’m not completely certain when 10-Israel will re-form into a cohesive, united people IN THE LAND (as Hosea 2 and Ezekiel 37 depict). Many Messianic and non-Messianic Two-House teachers have varying views and estimations, but regardless, “true” freedom to observe the moedim (even Shabbat) is yet before us, in my view.

Thoughts on how Shabbat is different from the other Moedim

• Shabbat was observed by יהוה and His Righteous long before the Pilgrimage Moedim were given to the People of Israel for observance (Exodus 31:17).
• Shabbat does not require an altar or sacrificial system (for the individual) and there is no requirement for it to be observed (by the individual) at "THE" place of the Great Name Leviticus 23. However, the priests of "the Kingdom" did offer Shabbat sacrifices (Leviticus 24:8), but the common people were simply not required to journey to Jerusalem, but were actually told to stay in their place or town (Exodus 16:29) for Shabbat.

My view is contrary to that of many friends, family, and teachers who I greatly respect and honor. I simply try not to get too worked up about the details because I know… or well… I hope the basis for the argument is going to change and become a moot discussion very soon. See my article 2730 Year Punishment Coming to an End for 10-Israel for some wishful thinking and calculations.

RELATED CONTENT:

• Festival Observance: “a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings”? (Pt.1)
• Should we celebrate the Festivals of יהוה (YHVH) any where but Jerusalem?
• 2730 Year Punishment Coming to an End for 10-Israel
• What is the Shabbat?