What purpose did the Sabbath rest serve to the children of Israel?

The purpose of the Sabbath rest for the children of Israel was to show them which day that Jesus (The Lord and Creator of the Old Testament) that He (Jesus) set aside as a day of worship to Him, prayer, study, spend time with the family, give Jesus thanks and to serve others while away from our lively hood work.  The Sabbath is the first feast mention by Jesus that He says, these are “my” feast times appointed by me (Jesus).  We know Jesus created the Sabbath at the very beginning (Genesis) for all mankind. 

Very few individuals observes the Sabbath (Saturday) today and we know that when Jesus set up His Kingdom at the start of the millennium, one of the first things Jesus does is to restore the worship of Him on the Sabbath day (Saturday) and all of the other feast days (Ezekiel).  The Temple will only be open on the Sabbath and Feast days. 

It does not matter what anyone thinks or say, this is what the scriptures say.  We can worship Jesus anytime of the week, but Jesus tells us to worship Him on the Sabbath.  Daniel tells us that Satan is out to attempt to alter times and laws at the end time.  The Sabbath then is a time set aside for mankind to worship the Father and Jesus.  Blessings

Stephen

Tell the Israelis, "These are “my” feast times appointed by the LORD that you are to declare as sacred assemblies.  (Lev 23:2 ISV)

Six days you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work. It's a Sabbath to the LORD wherever you live.  (Lev 23:3 ISV)

He'll speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One. He'll attempt to alter times and laws, and they'll be given into his control for a time, times, and half a time.  (Dan 7:25 ISV)

"This is what the Lord GOD says: 'The inner, east-facing courtyard will remain shut during the six working days of the week, but on the Sabbath day it will be opened, as well as on the day of the New Moon.  (Eze 46:1 ISV)

"'The people who live in the land will worship at the doorway of the gate on the Sabbaths and New Moons in the LORD's presence.  (Eze 46:3 ISV)

(Zec 14:16 KJV)  And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.