THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
After liberating them from this harsh captivity, resembling a battlefield, I instructed them in the wilderness with beneficial and righteous laws. These precepts granted them life. I have referred to the commandments and justifications interchangeably, for while they are distinct in name, they represent the same essence: commandments, as they are inscribed by God and ordained by the Lord, who commanded their observance; justifications, as they not only bear the mark of lawful and equitable governance but also have the power to justify those who adhere to them. However, it is essential to understand that God set apart the Sabbaths from these commandments and justifications, which bestow life upon their observers.
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He declared, “I have given them My commandments, and My justifications I have revealed unto them,” showing the blessings that come with them—“that whatsoever a man shall do, he shall live in them.” Subsequently, He added, “I have given them My Sabbaths also,” yet He did not assert that those who observe them would gain life through them. Instead, He stated that they may serve as a sign between Him and them, allowing them to recognize that He is the Lord who sanctifies them. I instituted for them a Sabbath rest, not as a means to grant life, but to distinguish their way of life from pagan practices and to remind them of My mercies. Through spiritual rest—standing before God and receiving Divine teachings—they would find true benefit, gaining insight into the fact that God is both Creator and Provider. Thus, the act of resting was not merely life-giving; the act of standing in His presence before God was also life-giving.