The Bible says to work 6 days and rest on the Sabbath, but what qualifies as work?

There is a story in the Bible about a man who was gathering wood on the Sabbath, and I believe this story helps us better understand what work is.

“Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.
– Numbers 15:32-36

We don’t typically think of gathering firewood as work. When we think about work, we usually think about our job, but there are a number of things that qualify as work that have nothing to do with earning money.

This man was gathering firewood to make a fire. On any other day of the week, this would be fine, but not on the Sabbath, because gathering firewood is considered work, and we are not supposed to work on the Sabbath.

Likewise, the Bible also tells us not to kindle a fire on the Sabbath.

“Then Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, ‘These are the words which the Lord has commanded you to do: Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
– Exodus 35:1-3

To kindle a fire refers to the act of starting a fire. In ancient times this would require rubbing sticks together until enough heat is produced to make a fire, or striking flint to make a spark that would catch the kindling on fire. If you have ever tried to start a fire with these methods, you understand why it’s called work.

Today, we can start a fire with a match or a lighter in seconds with very little effort, but is lighting a match considered work? I would say, Yes, it’s still kindling a fire, but you’re simply doing it with significantly less effort.

Does this mean we can’t have a fire on the Sabbath? No, it just means you need to kindle your fire before the Sabbath begins. Also gather all your fire wood before the Sabbath, and keep it close so you don’t have to go gather more on the Sabbath.

The Bible also describes cooking food as work that is prohibited on the Sabbath.

“Then he said to them, ‘This is what the Lord has said: “Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.'”
– Exodus 16:23

Cooking a meal might not seem like work to you, but the Bible says it is. This means you can’t say that a stay at home wife who cooks and cleans and does various house chores doesn’t work. She is working, but she isn’t employed. There is a difference between working and being employed. You can work really hard and never get paid for it.

Lawn care, laundry, car maintenance, and household repairs all qualify as work, and should be done during the six days of work, but not on the Sabbath. People like to wash the car and mow the lawn on Saturday, but those things are work, and they violate the Sabbath. Likewise, you shouldn’t tend your garden on the Sabbath. You can pick weeds and harvest cucumbers the other six days of the week.

I’ve actually heard people claim that the Sabbath is a burden. It’s ironic, because the Sabbath is exactly the opposite. It is a day to set aside your burdens and rest.

“Thus says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”
– Jeremiah 17:21-22

People don’t understand that taking a day of rest is linked to our freedom and salvation.

“And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.”
– Deuteronomy 5:15

Think about it, after growing up as slaves in Egypt, God says, you no longer have to live like slaves working seven days a week. Slaves work every day, but free men can take a day of rest.

It’s a burden to work seven days, and that type of work is linked with the bondage of Egypt. But, taking a day of rest is linked with salvation from slavery. That’s why the Bible says the sabbath is a gift.

“See! FOR THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE SABBATH; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”
– Exodus 16:29

This verse also addresses those people who seem to think they can’t afford to take a day of rest. God says He will provide extra food when you keep the Sabbath. But we are also told that if we ignore the Sabbath, and work on that day, there will be no provisions.

The principle here is that if you work seven days, then your extra work will never be enough, but if you work according to God’s pattern, and rest on the Sabbath, then the LORD will take care of you and provide for your needs.