p. 6 | The Sabbath in the Bible by Ahva J. C. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 38.

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The Sabbath in the Bible

By Ahva J. C. Bond

Historical Study

AHVA J. C. BOND

The Sabbath in the Old Testament

The Sabbath in the creation story. Gen. 2: 1, 2.

The first appearance of the Sabbath in Israel's recorded history. Ex. 16: 1-30. (The manna given. The Sabbath appears as an established institution.)

The Sabbath in the decalogue. Ex. 20: 8-11. (It occupies a central place in this world-recognized moral code.)

Its place in the amplification of the ten words. Ex. 31: 12-17. (The severest penalty followed its violations.)

Moses makes known to Israel the commands of God. Ex. 35: 2, 3. (The weekly Sabbath mentioned first.)

Laws for the governing of Israel, including the Sabbath. Lev. 19: 1-30. (These are not ceremonial, but ethical.)

The Sabbath and other sacred festivals. Lev. 23: 1-38. (The Sabbath has first place. From it others are dated.)

The Sabbath a time for worship. Lev. 24: 5-9. (The character of the worship in keeping with the times.)

An instance of the recognition of the Sabbath. Num. 15: 32-36. (The penalty administered according to the law.)

Sabbath worship again. Num. 28: 9, 10. (A special offering for the Sabbath day.)

The Sabbath law in Deuteronomy. Deut. 5: 12-15. (Another version of the ten words.)

One purpose of the new temple is Sabbath worship. 2 Chron. 2: 4. (In Solomon's time Sabbath worship was taken for granted.)

In the time of Elisha the Sabbath was recognized. 2 Kings 4: 23. (Incidental references the strongest kind of evidence.)

The temple guards are changed on the Sabbath. 2 Kings 11: 4-12. (Another incidental reference to Sabbath recognition.)

Amos condemns Sabbath breaking. Amos 8: 4-10. (Amos holds high ethical standards. The sins condemned are not ceremonial.)

Neglect of the Sabbath among the fatal sins of Israel. Isa. 1: 2-20. (The prophet breathes out the condemnation of Jehovah.)

The Sabbath must be hallowed. Jer. 17: 19-27. (Sabbath keeping is a test of loyalty. So in many instances.)

A poetic expression regarding Judah's loss of the Sabbath. Lam. 2: 6. (Judah is nonreligious, having no Sabbath, etc.)

Ezekiel rehearses the wilderness history of Israel. Eze. 20: 10-26. (Israel was disloyal in failing to keep the Sabbath.)

Sins of Jerusalem, including Sabbath breaking, condemned. Eze. 22: 1-12. (Not ceremonial failure. See also Eze. 22: 26; 23: 38.)

The Sabbath in Ezekiel's new temple. Eze. 46: 1-5. (Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet.)

Blessedness of Sabbath keeping. Isa. 56: 1-5; 58: 13, 14. (Sabbath keeping an essential of right ethical living.)

Ezra reads the law to the people, including the Sabbath. Neh. 9: 14. (The book of the law had just been found.)

The keeping of the Sabbath law enforced by a pledge. Neh. 10: 31. (Commercial interests must not encroach upon the Sabbath.)

The law more emphatically enforced. Neh. 13: 15-22. (Time of the beginning of the Sabbath incidentally indicated. Lev. 23: 32.)

A psalm or song for the Sabbath day. Psalm 92. (Title of the psalm.)

The Sabbath in the New Testament

Jesus teaches on the Sabbath day. They feel his authority. Mark 1: 21f; Luke 4: 31f; Mark 6: 2f. (They were in the habit of meeting on the Sabbath day; the quality of the teaching was unusual.)

It was the Master's custom to attend Sabbath worship. Luke 4: 16f. (The Old Testament was the basis of his teaching, and he knew how to interpret it.)

The grain-field experience, and Sabbath healing. Matt. 12: 1f; Mark 2: 23 to 3: 6; Luke 6: 1-11. (In the eyes of the Jews these must have been “border line” acts on the part of Jesus.)

The Sabbath and the resurrection. Matt. 28: 1; Mark 16: 1; Luke 23: 54f. (The devout women, the Master's closest friends, kept the Sabbath according to the commandment.)

Jesus speaks of the Sabbath in connection with the fall of Jerusalem. Matt. 24: 20. (No reference to any change.)

The Sabbath in the Acts. Acts 13: 14-27, 42-44; 15: 21; 16: 13; 17: 2; 18: 4. (The early Christians were consistent Sabbath keepers.)

The epistles. (The epistles, which were written earlier, for the most part, than the Acts and the Gospels, were written largely to correct doctrinal differences in the churches, or to explain matters concerning which there was misunderstanding. Comparative silence on their part regarding the Sabbath would indicate that in this matter the churches were agreed.)

Jesus united temple worship with helpful ministry. John 5: 1-18; 7: 14-24; 9: 1-41. (John's Gospel a very late New Testament writing.) — Sabbath Recorder.