What About Pleasure on the Sabbath Day?

Last week’s Sabbath Thought addressed our approach to the
Sabbath in light of God’s instruction concerning our “not
speaking our own words” (Isaiah 58:13). This week we
continue this line of thought as we consider the words “nor
doing your own pleasure.”

In the verse, we can see that the word “pleasure” is used twice
which would seem to indicate emphasis. “Your pleasure” and
“your own pleasure” clearly show a selfish focus.

We live in a society in which “pleasure” is something that is
readily available on a round the clock basis. “Pleasure” can be
found in sporting events, in shopping, in making money, in
listening to music, in eating a gourmet meal, in being catered
to at the spa. There are abundant ways in which we can titillate
the senses here in the 21st century. In fact, the pursuit of the
sensual is a central focus for some and no sensual stimuli is to
be denied.

The Bible addresses the futility of living for one’s own
pleasure, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of
the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-
17).”

Tying 1 John 2:15-17 to Isaiah 58:13, who will abide with
God forever? He who will live forever is the one who turns
his foot away from trampling on the Sabbath by not doing his
own pleasure.

Does this mean there are to be no pleasures in life? Consider
another location where the same word found in Isaiah 58:13 is
used. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “To everything there is a
season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” In other
words, there is a time for “pleasure” and “delight” in life, but
it is not all the time. There is a time and a place for “pleasure.”

What about pleasure on the Sabbath day? Notice a couple of
passages concerning pleasure:

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in
Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand
are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 36:8-9 They are abundantly satisfied with the
fullness of Your house, and You give them drink
from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the
fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

These passages describe what the prophet Isaiah was
addressing in Isaiah 58. God’s people find their greatest
pleasure in God and His way of life. Notice the verse says
God’s people “call the Sabbath a delight.”

The Sabbath is not a denial of “pleasure.” It is the greatest
opportunity that we can have to enjoy the pleasure of knowing
God and all that He offers us. The Sabbath offers time
designated by God for us to focus upon and drink from “the
river of Your (God’s) pleasures.”

Consider this and enjoy the pleasure of the Sabbath day.

Gary Smith