Should I attend a wedding, funeral, bridal or baby shower on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath is a day when we are to avoid not only work, but also the pursuit of our own words and pleasures (Isa. 58:13). It is a day to focus entirely on Yahweh, which is not possible when one is busy focusing on those in a wedding, funeral, or shower. In specific regard to a funeral superseding a day of worship, Yahshua said, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead,” Matthew 8:22. Yahweh’s days of worship, including His annual Sabbaths (Lev. 23), should always come before our pleasures or personal commitments.
I respectfuly disagree on this manner: Isn’t Isaiah 58 speaking in context about the day of Atonement, I have seen children very happy wanting to share something with their parents, but they get told ” not today”. If the matter is not sin, why can’t we hear and show the same love as we do everyday by listening to them. I’m not saying to start a whole discussion about something other than Yahweh, but I see children also feel hurt. About the weddings etc. Let the dead bury their own dead was not necessarily a literal phrase as they cannot,… Read more »
Thank you for your comment and civility. Yes, the context of Isaiah 58 is speaking about the Day of Atonement. However, we also believe that it extends to the weekly Sabbath. As for funerals and weddings, normally you can schedule these around the Sabbath. Regarding Jewish weddings, we normally do not look to Jewish tradition to set our doctrine or beliefs. Shalom.
Thanks for the post. Sabbath is the day that God, having created the world in six days and rested upon the seventh, sanctified and blessed and made it His sacred memorial (Exo 31:16). The text you quoted Isa 58:13-14 gives principle of how we are to enjoy and observe Sabbath, i.e. to avoid everything or anything that will blur our focus and distract our loving attention toward our God. Many think it is a restriction, while it is in fact how God wants to bless us, for our own benefits. This is THE blessing from heaven that encompasses all the… Read more »
I too am in the similar decision. One of my long time girlfriends is getting married in a small ceremony next month. While I am not invited to the wedding, because it’s a civil ceremony and only 10 persons are invited, she has invited me to the private reception after. It’s on the Sabbath day, and I don’t feel comfortable going to a “party” on the Sabbath. What also has a bigger impact is that she is a friend who has not accepted, respected or honored the Sabbath, and questions why I do certain things. She does not believe in… Read more »
It is always a challenge to do the right thing when precious events and important moments happen on the Sabbath. However, we are told in Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. It is hard but it will be worth it in the end if you stand strong.
You may want to consider whether your being unequally yoke is even a bigger concern.
I always wondered what Jesus meant when he said let the dead bury the dead. I have been going on this journey to follow Jesus, I have had trial after trial, it seems that everything is done on a Saturday, And I can’t do anything with my family. Next year will be a big year for my daughter, she will be graduating from high school. I’m trusting God that he will make a way, since they have their graduation on Saturdays, also mysep- brother mom passed away, and the funeral is on Saturday. My other brother will be graduating on… Read more »
We have a perfect example to support the answer above. It is with regard to Yeshua’s death and burial. He was left in the tomb, only wrapped in linen, no spices and oils, because it was preparation day and Sabbath was approaching. Mary left His funerary bodily preparations undone, to observe the Sabbath. Luke 23:50-56 KJV50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (the same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself… Read more »