The Literal Commandment

But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. (Leviticus 23:8)

 

The literal commandment is that we should not do any laborious work on the seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

 

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

Pictures of Messiah

This commandment to "do no prohibited labor" provides a picture of our ceasing from our labors while G-d performs His work of salvation: His initial work of physical salvation for the Jews from Egypt (Exodus 14:13) and His final work of spiritual salvation for all who are His in the work of Messiah (Hebrews 4:10).

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not doing prohibited labor on the seventh day of Passover.

 

Traditional Observance

The traditional observance of this commandment involves abstaining from the forms of work which are traditionally prohibited on the weekly Sabbath. There is no indication that naps or other forms of sleep or rest are required.

 

Other Notes

This commandment is the negative aspect of positive commandment #98: rest on the seventh day of Passover.

We are able to fulfill this commandment and should not do prohibited labor on the seventh day of Passover.

 

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