Hosea 2:11
“I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her New Moons, her Sabbaths—all her appointed feasts” (Hosea 2:11). Some have suggested that the above verse is proof that the weekly Sabbath was to be abolished. However, careful examination of the context of the passage proves otherwise. The prophet here, declares that all the different feasts and days of holy joy in the northern kingdom would cease. And this would be due to the coming captivity of the nation by its enemies.
It is not the ending of the Sabbath, or of any religious service for that matter, that is predicted by Hosea 2:11. But rather, it is the ending of a wicked nation. All Christians agree that God did not desire that the Passover or any feast to end at that time. Besides, Hosea was several hundred years before the first advent of Christ. Consistency therefore, demands from us to hold that Hosea 2:11 is not even suggesting that the Sabbath was to abolished, either then, or at any future date.
God’s Commandments Can’t Change
This question can be settled by the words of Jesus Himself who confirmed, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18). The moral law of the Ten commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) can’t change because it is an expression of the will of God (Isaiah 40:8) who changes not (Malachi 3:6).
At the cross, what was done away with was the annual holiday feasts (or sabbaths) of the Mosaic law (Leviticus 23). These feasts regulated the priesthood, sacrifices, feasts, rituals, meat and drink offerings, etc., all of which foreshadowed and ended at the cross (Colossians 2:14-17; Ephesians 2;15). These yearly sabbath feasts were in addition to, or “besides the Sabbaths of the Lord” (Leviticus 23:38), or seventh-day Sabbath (Genesis 3:2,3; Exodus 20:8-11). For more on the the Sabbaths that were abolished at the cross, check: https://bibleask.org/doesnt-colossians-214-17-do-away-with-the-seventh-day-sabbath/
For more on the Sabbath, please check (Lessons 91-102) of the Bible Lessons.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
