When Moses ascended mount Horeb and spoke with God, he received many instructions, but the most famous guidance was in the form of the ten commandments. (Exodus 20)
The ten commandments have been honored as a basis for western law and morality for centuries, however, in more recent years, there have been a number of conflicts regarding their value. Litigation from organizations such as the ACLU has forced some communities to remove monuments, plaques, or other depictions of this. Of course, even the most secular individuals typically do not take issue with sentiments about avoiding murder and theft. The issues are mainly with the commandments that direct people to worship God.
One of these commandments that is frequently used to show that the ten commandments are no longer used as a basis for western society... that is the fourth commandment: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8)
Certainly there is some merit to this argument. I recall hearing a saying with some truth: "our grandfathers called it the Holy Sabbath... our fathers called it the Sabbath... our parents called it Sunday... we call it the weekend." (unknown)
Even in the most religious counties in Utah, the state where church attendance is reported to be highest, the parking lots of shopping centers and stores are filled with vehicles. Of course, there is an understanding for the need of police, fire, and medical emergency services to be available on Sundays, and there are occasions when it is necessary to travel and use other services, much of the activity that is performed on Sunday could be handled on other days, but is not. This provides strong evidence that at least some of the Ten Commandments no longer provide the foundation for American ethics... and if people can pick and choose which commandments are applicable, then they are not really commandments at all... As Barbosa said in Pirates of the Caribbean, "the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules."
What benefit is there from spending a day "resting" or avoiding productivity every single week anyway?
God frequently offered as explanation for this commandment the events surrounding the creation of the world: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:11)
This idea is certainly something that modern society seems to have mostly abandoned. Because of evidence including carbon dating, fossils, and sediment analysis, the idea that God created the earth in six days is not discussed nearly as often as it used to be, even among religious individuals. The consequence of this (intended or not) is that the seventh day (after the creation) is also frequently ignored.
The lack of this discussion is unfortunate. Because God has all power, and cannot become exhausted or wearied from his works, the idea of him taking rest is significant. Why would an all-powerful being rest?
He had all knowledge, and was not waiting to observe something unexpected. He had the ability to travel to any place, and was not exploring something new. He certainly had the power to move on to other tasks. Why not do so?
Perhaps the answer lies back in the account in Genesis. After each day of creation, God took note that the things he directed were "so" and in many cases that they were "good." At the end of the creation, he noted that it was all "very good." These observances did not bring new information to him, he knew exactly what would happen. Still, he paused to observe and appreciate these creations.
The key here is that God found value in observing and appreciating what was there. This act surely brought value to him, or else he would not have done it. Perhaps this is a key to understanding the commandment to remember the Sabbath Day.
There is value is stopping and simply appreciating what is there. Taking time to reflect on whether our productivity is "very good" or whether it needs improvement is also worthwhile. Additionally, God is asking us to do things as he did them... the Sabbath Day is in a general sense, an invitation to be like he is (Matthew 5:48).
Voices in society who would ignore the importance of this observation dismiss an opportunity to be more divine. No wonder God gave this counsel to Moses on Horeb: "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
As a final though, Dennis Prager offered additional (and worthwhile) insights on the Sabbath Day, and the dignity that it gives to people. I highly recommend watching his short video here.
