A Short Study of Exodus 31:14
The law of the Old Testament sabbath was clearly stated.
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.”
(Deuteronomy 5:14)
Note these words: “thou shalt not do any work…rest.”
The sabbath given to the Jews was a type of Christ. When it comes to our salvation, the rule still applies, “thou shalt do no work…rest.”
Redemption has been accomplished by the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.
Concerning this work of reconciliation and justification, the Savior said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Salvation, therefore, is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He hath saved us” (Titus 3:5).
The word from the Scriptures is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
The penalty for breaking the sabbath was harsh and violent.
“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”
(Exodus 31:14)
On one occasion a man was arrested, incarcerated and later stoned to death because he picked up some sticks on the sabbath day (Numbers 15:32-36).
Do you wonder why the punishment for working on the sabbath was so severe?
Disobeying the commandment of God to rest on the sabbath pictured the refusal of proud, self-righteous sinners to be saved solely on the basis of the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. All who refuse to rest in Christ alone for eternal salvation must be cut off from His people and cast into everlasting destruction.
By J. Byrd
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.”
(Deuteronomy 5:14)
“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”
(Exodus 31:14)
Jesus is LORD! 
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