Definition: And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Jeremiah 17:24. It’s a really important message about how we should treat our holy spaces and time. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: “Jeremiah 17:24 says that God wants us to be very careful about how we use the Sabbath day – it's a special day off, but it's also a time for rest and worship.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "And it shall come to pass..." : This is a prediction or promise. It’s saying that this will happen if we don’t follow this rule. "... saith the LORD..." : This means God is speaking directly to us, and his words are important. "...if ye diligently hearken unto me..." : This is a command – you need to listen carefully to what God says. It's asking for our full attention and obedience. “Deligently” means with care and thoughtfulness. "...to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day..." : This is the most important part . The “burden” refers to everything – work, activities, and even just relaxing. God doesn’t want us to put too much pressure or stress on the Sabbath. He wants it to be a time for rest and spiritual renewal. "...but hallow the sabbath day..." : This means to make the Sabbath holy - to treat it with respect and importance. "...to do no work therein;" : This is the final instruction – don't do any work on the Sabbath. It’s a command to abstain from all activities, including labor, rest, and even leisure. What does this mean practically? Essentially, God is telling us that the Sabbath isn’t just a day off; it’s a time for spiritual connection with Him. It's about: Resting and Rejuvenation: Taking time to recharge and be renewed by God. Worship: Spending time in prayer, worship, and communion with God. Spiritual Focus: Avoiding distractions and concentrating on what’s important – our relationship with God. In short, the verse is a reminder that God values our time off and encourages us to treat it as sacred. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how people could spend their Sabbath day (besides just resting)?