Law Given to Israel
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heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh
day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
The Sabbath is not introduced as a new institution but as having
been founded at creation. It is to be remembered and observed as
the memorial of the Creator’s work. Pointing to God as the Maker
of the heavens and the earth, it distinguishes the true God from all
false gods. All who keep the seventh day signify by this act that they
are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus the Sabbath is the sign of man’s
allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve
Him. The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which
are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only
one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains
the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and
binding force.
God has given men six days wherein to labor, and He requires that
their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and
mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all
times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided.
“Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on
My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord,
honorable; and ... honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding
thine own pleasure.”
Isaiah 58:13
. Nor does the prohibition end here.
“Nor speaking thine own words,” says the prophet. Those who discuss
business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God
as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the
Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things
of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our
gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business
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during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing
service upon His holy day.
“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon
the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to
no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them a responsi-
bility for the souls committed to their charge, has ordained that during
the earlier years of life, parents shall stand in the place of God to
their children. And he who rejects the rightful authority of his parents
is rejecting the authority of God. The fifth commandment requires