The Sabbath Covenant

In the following study the Hebrew language brings to light

the 7th day Sabbath as:

 A Proposal for Marriage Between Humanity and

Divinity and

 A Wedding Rehearsal that Prepares God’s People for this

Marriage

Hidden within the Hebrew language is an extraordinary message that

has been preserved in the Book of the Covenant, for God’s Remnant
people. By happenstance, translations have camouflaged its profound
value, but uncovered, the mysteries of redemption unfold with an
unexpected radiance.
The “Book of the Covenant” is found in the first five books of the Bible
(called “Torah” or “Pentateuch”). In Leviticus Chapter Twenty-three,
the 7th day Sabbath’s true identity is cloaked [or veiled] from the eyes
of the casual reader but through the definitions of related Hebrew words
it is unveiled as the wedding rehearsal that prepares God’s people for
marriage.
In Leviticus chapter twenty three verses one to three “the LORD spake
unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto
them, Concerning the feasts (OT# 4150 mo`ed) of the LORD, which ye
shall proclaim to be holy convocations, (OT# 4744 miqra`) even these
are My feasts (OT# 4150 mo`ed). Six days shall work be done: but
the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation (OT#
4744 miqra`); ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the
LORD in all your dwellings.”
In these verses we see that the LORD not only called the 7th day
Sabbath His Sabbath of rest, but He also called it a “feast” and a
“holy convocation.” The Hebrew definition for the word “feast,” in
this verse, opens the first door to lost history. The Strong’s
Concordance, Hebrew identification number for feast is —
OT# 4150 mo`ed; mo-ade` from [root] OT# 3259* “…
an appointment, a fixed time or season, … an assembly (convened for a
definite purpose) technically the congregation; … also
a signal (as appointed beforehand)” Strong’s Concordance.
(*Please take note of the root word #3259 in this definition for later
discussion.)
So therefore the 7th day Sabbath was “appointed beforehand” by the
Creator of the universe, for a “fixed time or season.” It was appointed
at creation, before the Ten Commandments were given at Mt Sinai,
making it applicable for all humanity not just one nation. The Creator’s
wedding gift to the first man and woman was “time with Him.” The
LORD GOD “blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it” Genesis 2:4.
He made it holy.
From this same Hebrew definition OT# 4150 we see the 7th day
Sabbath, not only as a feast, but also a “signal.” This is illustrated in
Ezekiel 20:12 where we see that “sign” is another word for
“signal.” “Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign (OT#
226 oth) between me and them, that they might know that I am the
LORD that sanctify them [to make them holy, purify them].” (This
custom of purification before union is seen in the story of Esther. Each
of the women went through the king’s purification process before they
entered his presence — see Esther 2:3.)
A study of this word “sign” OT# 226 “oth,” and how it is used in the
Old Testament, reveals that it is most often associated with “signals” of
God’s kingdom and of covenant keeping, as in Ezekiel 20:20: “hallow
my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign (OT# 226 oth) [signal] between
me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.” This is
a “sign,” “signal,” or beacon to God from His people’s of their
acceptance of His request.
Spiro Zodhiates in the Lexical Aid Complete Word Study Old
Testament by AMG Publishers, explains OT#4150 “mo`ed” or
Sabbath is— “… a time when God met with His people for the
purpose of revealing His will to them.”
A similar statement was made by an nineteenth century expositor who
wrote: “It is at these, His own appointments that Christ meets His
people, and energizes them by His presence… all who neglect these
seasons of divine privilege will suffer loss” Sons and Daughters of
God p. 158.5.
Opening the Second Door to Lost History

The LORD also called the 7th day Sabbath a “holy

convocation.” “Convocation” is translated from the Hebrew word—
OT# 4744 miqra`, mik-raw` “from 7121; something called out, i.e. a
public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place);
also a rehearsal” Strong’s Concordance.
Zodhiates expands on “called out” and defines it clearly using the
word “summons” saying, “God summons them,” for –
a “rehearsal.” As a “holy convocation” the 7 day Sabbath becomes “a
th

rehearsal” to which God’s people are summoned.

Opening the Third Door to Lost History

The Hebrew root word for mo`ed, as seen previously in the definition
OT# 4150, is OT# 3259, ya`ad. This word gives us a second
witness, for the word “summons.” But this Hebrew definition actually
tells us the reason for the summons and what kind of rehearsal.
OT# 3259 ya`ad, yaw-ad`; “a prime root; to fix upon (by agreement or
appointment); to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to
trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position),
to engage (for marriage): … betroth…”
Now we see that the 7th day Sabbath is not only a betrothal rehearsal but
also a summons “to trial, to direct in a certain position, to engage for
marriage.” Whoever heard of a “betrothal – engagement for marriage”
associated with a “summons to trial”? We know of no such a
connection except in Christ’s parable of the marriage feast.
Christ exposes this “marriage supper” in a parable that reveals a sad
picture. However, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the same
parable may be received as a welcomed warning. In Matthew Chapter
Twenty, verses one through fourteen, He begins the parable like this
(Matthew 22:1-14):
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a
marriage for his son, (22:3) And sent forth his servants to call them
that were bidden [summoned] to the wedding: and they would not
come. (22:4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them
which are bidden [summoned], Behold, I have prepared my dinner:
my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto
the marriage. (22:5) But they made light of it, and went their ways, one
to his farm, another to his merchandise: (22:6) And the remnant took
his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. (22:7) But
when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies,
and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (22:8) Then
saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were
bidden were not worthy. (22:9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and
as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (22:10) So those servants
went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they
found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with
guests. (22:11) And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment: (22:12) And he
saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? And he was speechless. (22:13) Then said the
king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and
cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. (22:14) For many are called, but few are chosen.” (KJV)
In the phrase: “few are chosen” a clear understanding is concealed by
translation. Notice: We saw in the parable that the King chose both
good and bad. But not all who were chosen came. In the Aramaic
English New Testament translation this phrase is translated
as “few have chosen” which is exactly what is seen in the
parable. Few had chosen to come to the King’s wedding feast.
The king’s examination of the guest at the feast represents a work of
judgment. Here, “summons to trail” from the definition comes into the
parable. The guest without the wedding garment is also represented in
the church of Laodicea, (see Revelation 3:17)— only there he is said to
be both naked and blind. This perhaps tells us why this guest had no
answer when the King examined him— because he was blind, he didn’t
know he was naked. The wedding garment plays a vital roll in the
understanding of the kingdom of heaven, for it represents the characters
all must possess who are accounted fit guests for the wedding. A
description of this exquisite wedding gown unfolds in all its glory in
the “Book of the Covenant” and seen in the ancient Hebrew marriage
custom.
Ancient Hebrew Marriage Custom

In ancient Hebrew customs, a young man ready for marriage would

present to the woman he hoped would become his bride, a Ketubah, a
beautiful covenant contract for marriage. This proposal was presented
to his beloved at a dinner planned by their families. It expressed the
young man’s heart’s desire. It contained utterances of his love and
adoration for the woman, promises of all he would do for her, and how
he would protect and provide for her. It also contained his likes and
dislikes, his standard of living and highest ideals, even mention of his
favorite foods. It communicated how he wanted his household run and
his children raised. This covenant could have been called a Blueprint
for the couple’s relationship.
When the desired is given a Ketubah, silver trumpets are blown and her
suitor pours her a cup of new wine, fresh fruit of the vine, the very best
money could buy, purchased for a sacrificial price. After pouring the
cup, the suitor takes a sip, then waits for his desired to take a sip. If she
does, it will signify she has accepted all that the covenant contains. She
may not drink from it right away— for she takes
the covenant agreement very seriously, knowing it is a commitment for
life. She carefully reads every word. She may study it for hours, even
into the night or until the next morning before deciding whether to make
the commitment. Finally, if she accepts, she will take a sip and the
betrothal is sealed. The two are now bride and bridegroom and the
silver trumpets are blown again making the announcement to all.
After the betrothal, the betrothed return to their fathers’ homes and do
not see each other for the following year until the wedding day. During
that year the man builds his betrothed a house and supports her
financially. The woman reads her covenant again and again. She learns
to cook His favorite foods and sing his favorite songs. She studies
the Ketubah until she becomes the bride of his desire, the mirror image
of her covenant promise. Her life makes manifest she is keeping her
bridegroom’s covenant.
Ancient Hebrew Customs in the previous section were adapted from
“Jewish Marriage—Anthology” by – Philip and Hanna Goodman
We have been betrothed. God came to the betrothal Himself and gave
us the Ketubah (covenant) on Mount Sinai, Exodus Chapter Twenty.
The silver trumpets were blown both before and after the
betrothal covenant was given (Exodus 19:13,16,19; Ex. 20:18), just as
in the ancient Hebrew betrothal customs. At our baptism we give a
solemn oath, signifying our commitment to keep all that
our covenant contains. We drink from the cup during the Communion
Service at church, renewing our promise to pattern our life after all
our covenant contains. As we carefully study the “Book of the
Covenant” (Ketubah: Hebrew word for marriage covenant) throughout
our life, our Redeemer prepares us for marriage by writing it in our heart
and mind. “He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so
blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when
obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses,” (Desire
of Ages 668) thereby sanctifying His faithful for marriage.
Is it possible to become so excited about God’s promises that we readily
agree to the “Ketubah Covenant” without thoroughly studying
it? Could we be unwittingly negligent concerning our part in preparing
for this marriage; consequently, –among churchgoers— quite a bit of
confusion? Is there among us a misunderstanding concerning the date
and time for the rehearsal as written in the covenant. If so could we
then be in danger of missing the divine appointment, at which time He
plans to prepare the bride and have her dressed in her wedding garment?
This is a very serious and solemn thought.
The Urgency is Camouflaged

Through the Hebrew definitions, we have seen the 7 th day Sabbath as a

“summons” to the “betrothal” and wedding “rehearsal” for the marriage
between Christ and His people. This makes it a Royal Summons like
non other for what Royal Summons would dress you as royalty would
be dressed. For Christ our Bridegroom has promises to dress His
faithful people in their wedding garment, “energize them with His
presence” and “direct them in a certain position.”
As we continue, we will see that yet one more vital fact has been
camouflaged from sight through various translations. That vital fact is
the urgency of this royal summons is uncovered in the Hebrew
language.
Take special notice of the word proclaim, in Leviticus Chapter Twenty-
three verse two.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts (OT# 4150 mo`ed) of
the LORD, which ye shall proclaim (OT# 7121 kaw-raw`) to be holy
convocations, (OT# 4744 miqra`) even these are my feasts (OT#
4150 mo`ed). Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the
Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation (OT# 4744 miqra`); ye shall do no
work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings”
Leviticus 23: 1-3.
In defining “proclaim” Noah Webster uses the
word “announce.” However, the Hebrew definition has a more
aggressive emphasis. Strong’s uses the word, “accost” in defining
“proclaim.” Accost is defined as follows:
Accost: to approach and stop somebody in order to
speak, especially in an aggressive insistent way.
In comparison with accost, Luke uses the word compel in describing
the urgency of the invitation to go find the halt, lame and the blind in
the highways and hedges and compel them to come into the banquet,
“that My house may be filled” (See Luke 14:23). The servant who
brought in the poor and the blind reported to his master, “It is done as
thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto
the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to
come in, that my house may be filled.”
Here Christ pointed to the work of the gospel outside of Judaism, in the
highways and byways of the world. Paul included all when he said, “If
ye be Christ’s ye are Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the
promise” See Galatians 3:29 and Christ’s Object Lessons p 226.
The Greek definition for the word compel is to necessitate, to
constrain. These two words are defined as follows:
Necessitate: To make something necessary or inescapable.
Constrain: To force somebody to do something especially
through pressure of circumstances or a sense of obligation.
There are some very aggressive words here. How do we explain the use
of words such as summons, accost, compel, insistent, to
make inescapable and force with the gospel message? We can only—
as a “summons.” Although God doesn’t force Himself upon anyone,
these definitions have been given to open our eyes to the urgency of
this “summons” from our Creator. Clearly, we dare not take it lightly
as prophesied in the parable. For you have been summoned by the
Highest Judicial Governmental Authority – God, Creator of the
Universe.
In the following section we have summarized the definitions and
descriptions we have learned in this study and applied them to the text.
Then wrote them in the first person as if the LORD is speaking directly
to you:

“You have been summoned to

My Divine Appointment,
The 7th day Sabbath.
This is My signal for marriage.
I urge you – Do not forsake My holy rehearsal.
At this time I will
Reveal My will to you,
Purify you for marriage,
Give you direction and energize you with
My Presence.
You are officially summoned to attend
At the Appointed Time.”
It’s a surprising fact that Christ actually arranged for a divine
appointment specifically for wooing His bride unto Himself to prepare
her for marriage. Unfortunately His incredible invitation has been
camouflaged by translations, misrepresented by
misunderstandings. Yet Christ has made it easy for every individual to
take part in His wedding. This may seem too wonderful to believe, yet
it is true. Whoever you are, Christ offers you an invitation to be His
bride. Even though you may already be a Christian, you may be
unaware of vital details concerning what God requires of His bride. The
particulars concerning this divine appointment have been preserved in
the Book of the Covenant for unveiling and rehearsing in preparation
for the marriage of all time– between humanity and divinity. By His
own words He has bidden all, both good or bad, to come in, that His
house may be full.
Every time He preserved His people from destruction, God made a
request— and all who obeyed the request were saved. Just as when He
took His people out of Egypt, instructing them to put the blood of the
Lamb on their doorposts, and all who did were saved, (both good and
bad) just as He did for the antediluvians, giving them a simple command
to come into the ark, so He does for us. His Royal Summons to come
to His wedding rehearsal for the marriage of humanity with divinity
requires us to remember the 7th day Sabbath to keep it holy. As the
Hebrew language reminds us, He will direct His people in every step to
take to prepare them for this wedding. The 7th day Sabbath as a “feast”
is the “signal” the Bridegroom is looking for; it is a “beacon” that an
individual belongs to Him and is being sanctified as a member of His
kingdom. The 7th day Sabbath as a “holy convocation” is a rehearsal
convened for the betrothal of the congregation, His bride. a signal that
it is time to prepare for marriage.
The Wedding Gown
Within the Book of the Covenant (Ex.20-24; 24:7) there is a most exquisite
wedding gown.
And tucked within its folds is an invitation to the marriage feast.
(Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:1-3;)
It is your marriage feast for your wedding.
It is you the King of kings wants His Son to marry.
The wedding garment is the gift that represents the character all will
possess
Who shall be accounted worthy.
(Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16.)
The King has paid the highest price
Ever paid for you to be His bride.
He paid with His Life.
 The invitation to be His bride is an honor none deserve,
Yet it is extended to all.
It is an honor of the highest magnitude,
For it represents the union of humanity and divinity.
By accepting this invitation you show respect to the Giver of the feast,
(Matthew 22:11)
And He opens before you a lesson of highest privilege. (Matthew 22:2)
He will provide the required purification for you to become royalty,
as did the ancient kings of old. (See Esther 2:3)
“In both the Old and the New Testament, the marriage relation is
employed to represent the tender and sacred union that exists between
Christ and His people. To the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding
festivities pointed forward to the rejoicing of that day when He shall
bring home His bride to the Father’s house, and the redeemed with the
Redeemer shall sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” He says,
‘As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice
over thee.’ ‘Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken,’ ‘but thou shalt
be called My Delight’ ‘for the Lord delighteth in thee.’ ‘He will rejoice
over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with
singing’ ” Desire of Ages 151.1; Isaiah 62:5.4; Zephaniah 3:17.

When the vision of heavenly things was granted to John the apostle, he
wrote: “I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,
Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and
rejoice, and give honor to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come,
and His wife hath made herself ready.” “Blessed are they which are
called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” Revelation 19:6,7,8.

As we have seen, this message has been obscured. But just as God
intended, it is being revealed before the closing scenes of earth’s
history. Thousands all over the world have seen or are beginning to
grasp a deeper understanding of the gospel message and the mysteries
of redemption. “Behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians
6:2). By His own words He promises to all:
“Everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it,
And taketh hold of My covenant;
Even them will I bring to My holy mountain.”
Isaiah 56:6-7
That is a promise from the King of kings—one who cannot lie— So let
us all eat with our LORD and Savior, our Bridegroom, the King of
kings– Who has redeemed us. Let us sit at His rehearsal dinner at His
“appointed time,” the 7th day Sabbath of the LORD. Join the wedding
of the LORD while the banquet hall’s doors are still open. Accept His
Royal Summons.
“The Spirit and the bride say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:17