The Book of Jubilees, also known as Lesser Genesis, is an ancient Jewish religious work of 50 chapters, considered canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as well as Ethiopian Jews, but rejected by Jews, Roman Catholics, and Protestants. It presents "the history of the division of the days of the Law, of the events of the years, of the weeks of their years, and of the jubilees" as revealed to Moses by angels when he went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. So, yeah, pretty important stuff!
Within its pages, we find a powerful declaration. God, speaking directly, proclaims, "Behold, I will separate unto Myself a people from among all the peoples, and these will keep the Sabbath day."
Think about that for a moment. God isn't just looking for followers; He's actively choosing a people. A people set apart. And what defines them? The Shabbat, the Sabbath day. It's not merely a day off; it's a sign, a symbol of their unique relationship with the Divine. It’s a weekly reminder of creation, of rest, of connection.
And the promise continues: "and I will sanctify them unto Myself as My people, and will bless them; as I have sanctified the Sabbath day and do sanctify (it) unto Myself, even so shall I bless them, and they will be My people and I shall be their God."
It's a reciprocal agreement, a sacred bond. God sanctifies them, and in turn, they become His people. He blesses them in the same way He blesses the Sabbath itself – a pretty powerful blessing, right? The Book of Jubilees paints a vivid picture of this intimate connection. This isn't some distant, detached deity; this is a God who actively seeks a relationship.
But it doesn't stop there. The text goes on, "And I have chosen the seed of Jacob from amongst all that I have seen, and have written him down as My firstborn son, and have sanctified him unto Myself for ever and ever."
Jacob, later known as Israel, becomes central to this narrative. He’s not just any ancestor; he's chosen, written down as God’s firstborn son. It's a lineage, a heritage, a destiny. This act of choosing has ramifications that ripple through history, shaping the identity of an entire people.
What does it mean to be chosen? Is it a privilege? A responsibility? Perhaps it's both. The Book of Jubilees suggests that being chosen isn't a passive state. It requires action, devotion, and a commitment to upholding the covenant. To sanctifying the Sabbath and living a life that reflects the divine connection.
So, as we reflect on these ancient words, let's consider our own place in this story. How do we honor the idea of being chosen, of being part of something bigger than ourselves? How do we sanctify our own "Sabbath," whatever that may mean to us, and live a life worthy of such a profound blessing? It's a question worth pondering, a journey worth taking.