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A Special, Distinguishing Sign, May 5
The children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath
throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between
me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven
and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Exodus 31:16, 17
.
In this scripture the observance of the Sabbath is specified as a special, dis-
tinguishing sign between God’s people and the people of the world. This gives
to parents a most solemn work—the work of teaching their children to obey the
Sabbath commandment, in order that they may be numbered among the people of
God.
In
Exodus 19
we read: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I
bear you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will
obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure
unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a
kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak
unto the children of Israel.”
Wonderful condescension is this! God offers to make the Israelites His peculiar
treasure, if they obey His law and glorify His name. Observe the response they
made to these words:
“Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces
all these words which the Lord commanded him.” All this instruction was placed
by the elders before the vast multitude assembled. “And all the people answered
together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned
the words of the people unto the Lord” (
Manuscript152, 1901
).
We cannot overestimate the value of simple faith and unquestioning obedience.
It is by following in the path of obedience in simple faith that the character obtains
perfection. Adam was required to render strict obedience to God’s commandments,
and no lower standard is presented to those who desire salvation [today].... [Christ]
says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. If ye love me,
keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the
world cannot receive” (
John 14:13-17
).... The world is leagued against the truth,
because it does not desire to obey the truth. Shall I who perceive the truth close my
eyes and heart to its saving power because the world chooses darkness rather than
light? (
Letter 119, 1895
).
The sacred statutes which Satan has hated and sought to destroy, will be honored
throughout a sinless universe (
Patriarchs and Prophets, 342
).
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