In the context of the Bible, "observance" refers to the practice of adhering to religious laws, commandments, rituals, and traditions as prescribed by God. Observance is a key theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including the observance of the Sabbath, festivals, dietary laws, and moral commandments.

Old Testament Observance

The concept of observance is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God establishes His covenant with the Israelites and provides them with the Law through Moses. The observance of the Law is central to the identity and faithfulness of the Israelite community. In Deuteronomy 6:17, the Israelites are commanded, "You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and His testimonies and statutes that He has commanded you."

The Sabbath is one of the most significant observances, instituted by God as a day of rest and worship. Exodus 20:8-10 states, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." The observance of the Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:16-17).

In addition to the Sabbath, the Israelites were commanded to observe various feasts and festivals, such as Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These observances were not only acts of worship but also served as reminders of God's deliverance and provision (Leviticus 23).

New Testament Observance

In the New Testament, the concept of observance is transformed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. While Jesus affirms the importance of the Law, He emphasizes the spirit of the Law over mere ritualistic observance. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their legalistic approach to observance, highlighting the need for genuine faith and love. In Matthew 23:23, He admonishes them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness."

The early Christian community grappled with the question of observance, particularly regarding the necessity of following Jewish laws. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, determined that Gentile believers were not required to observe the entirety of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing faith in Christ as the basis for salvation.

Spiritual Observance

Beyond the external observance of laws and rituals, the Bible emphasizes the importance of internal, spiritual observance. This involves a heart aligned with God's will, characterized by love, humility, and obedience. In 1 Samuel 15:22, the prophet Samuel declares, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams."

The Apostle Paul reiterates this principle in Romans 12:1, urging believers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God," which is their "reasonable service." This spiritual observance reflects a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Conclusion

Observance in the biblical sense is a multifaceted concept that encompasses both external adherence to God's commandments and internal devotion to His will. It is a reflection of the covenant relationship between God and His people, calling for a life of faith, obedience, and worship.1. (n.) The act noticing with special attention; a heeding or keeping with care; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties.

2. (n.) An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom.

3. (n.) Servile attention; sycophancy.

5084. teresis -- a watching, hence imprisonment, a keeping
... a keeping. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: teresis Phonetic Spelling:
(tay'-ray-sis) Short Definition: a prison, observance Definition: a prison ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5084.htm - 7k

2357. threskos of unc. or. -- religious.
... or. Phonetic Spelling: (thrace'-kos) Short Definition: religious Definition: (refers
probably to a careful observance of religious restrictions), religious ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2357.htm - 6k

2356. threskeia -- religion
... religion, worshipping. From a derivative of threskos; ceremonial observance -- religion,
worshipping. see GREEK threskos. (threskeia) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2356.htm - 6k

4521. sabbaton -- the Sabbath, ie the seventh day (of the week)
... Of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (ie Shabbath), or day of weekly repose
from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4521.htm - 7k

7677. shabbathon -- sabbath observance, sabbatism
... 7676, 7677. shabbathon. 7678 . sabbath observance, sabbatism. Transliteration:
shabbathon Phonetic Spelling: (shab-baw-thone') Short Definition: rest. ...
/hebrew/7677.htm - 6k

4929. mishmar -- place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch ...
... mishmar. 4930 . place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance.
Transliteration: mishmar Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mawr') Short Definition: guard ...
/hebrew/4929.htm - 6k

8107. shimmur -- a watching, vigil
... be much observed. From shamar; an observance -- X be (much) observed. see HEBREW
shamar. 8106, 8107. shimmur. 8108 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8107.htm - 6k

4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge, function
... Observance, ie (abstr.) Duty or (obj.) A usage or party -- charge, keep, or to be
kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. see HEBREW mishmar. ...
/hebrew/4931.htm - 6k

Sabbath Observance
... THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH SABBATH OBSERVANCE. ... Our passage is particularly concerned
with Nehemiah's efforts to enforce Sabbath observance. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sabbath observance.htm

True Sabbath Observance
... VOLUME II: ST. LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV TRUE SABBATH OBSERVANCE. 'And He
was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.11. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/true sabbath observance.htm

Whether Observance is a Special virtue, Distinct from Other ...
... OF OBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
observance is a special virtue, distinct from other virtues? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether observance is a special.htm

Of Observance, Considered in Itself, and of Its Parts (Three ...
... OF OBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES). ... Under
the head of observance there are three points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of observance considered in itself.htm

Whether it Belongs to Observance to Pay Worship and Honor to those ...
... OF OBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether it
belongs to observance to pay worship and honor to those who are in positions ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it belongs to observance.htm

Whether Observance is a Greater virtue than Piety?
... OF OBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
observance is a greater virtue than piety? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether observance is a greater.htm

Of the Observance of Days Connected with Idolatry.
... Chapter XIII."Of the Observance of Days Connected with Idolatry. But why
speak of sacrifices and priesthoods? Of spectacles, moreover ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xiii of the observance of.htm

He Enjoins the General Observance of the Lord's Day, and the Day ...
... Book IV. Chapter XVIII."He enjoins the General Observance of the Lord's
Day, and the Day of Preparation. He ordained, too, that ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xviii he enjoins the general.htm

Christ's Observance of the Jewish Worship and Law.
... CHAPTER II. THE PLAN OF CHRIST IN ITS RELATION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT IDEA OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD. Section 53. Christ's Observance of the Jewish Worship and Law. ...
/.../section 53 christs observance of.htm

Of the Observance of one Uniform Rule Throughout the Whole of ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter III. Of the observance of one uniform rule throughout the whole
of Egypt, and of the election of those who are set over the brethren. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii of the observance.htm

Observance (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act noticing with special attention; a heeding or keeping with care;
as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. ...
/o/observance.htm - 9k

Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)
... All debts, except those of foreigners, were to be remitted (Deuteronomy 15:1-11).
There is little notice of the observance of this year in Biblical history. ...
/s/sabbatical.htm - 16k

Ten (234 Occurrences)
... The observance of the Sabbath was probably unknown to other nations, though
it may have been already known in the family of Abraham. II. ...
/t/ten.htm - 60k

Eucharist
... by Paul to his account of the Institution, wherein he emphasizes the memorial aspect
and evidential value of the witness the eucharistic observance would give ...
/e/eucharist.htm - 38k

Supper (17 Occurrences)
... by Paul to his account of the Institution, wherein he emphasizes the memorial aspect
and evidential value of the witness the eucharistic observance would give ...
/s/supper.htm - 44k

Festivals (17 Occurrences)
... There were daily (Leviticus 23), weekly, monthly, and yearly festivals, and great
stress was laid on the regular observance of them in every particular ...
/f/festivals.htm - 15k

Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... of the Jews. These requirements involved much and protracted difficulty
in their observance; they were "a yoke.... which neither ...
/r/rudiments.htm - 13k

Commemorate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To call to remembrance by a special act or observance;
to celebrate with honor and solemnity; to honor, as a person or event, by ...
/c/commemorate.htm - 7k

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... Perhaps Psalm 81 was especially written for this feast (compare 81:3). 4. Origin:
Mentions of a special observance of the 1st of Tishri are found also in ...
/t/trumpets.htm - 32k

Fasts (3 Occurrences)
... Other fasts and feasts no doubt were instituted on similar occasions and received
a local or temporary observance, for example, the Feast of Acra (1 Maccabees ...
/f/fasts.htm - 21k

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Observance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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