The Sabbath, instituted by God at creation, was entrusted to Israel as a sign that God had created and redeemed them (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15). This day of rest was a gift from a loving God, not a difficult obligation. But the people repeatedly desecrated the Sabbath and ignored their God (see also 20:20,21). It was meant to be a memory device but they ignored it. Today, many Christians celebrate the Lord’s Day, Sunday, as their Sabbath. Whatever the day, we must be careful to fulfill God’s purpose for the Sabbath. He wants us to rest, to refocus, and to remember him.