The Importance of the Fourth Commandment.
By John Nevins Andrews
THE fourth commandment commemorates the creation of the heavens and of the earth. But is this commandment worthy to be associated with the three which precede it, and to form with them the first table of the law of God? The first commandment forbids us to have other gods before the Lord. The second commandment forbids us to make any representation of the true God. The third commandment forbids us to take the name of God in vain. But what right has the Lawgiver to demand this supreme worship? It is not enough to say that he is powerful and will punish us if we refuse to obey. This does not prove that he has the right to make such demands. Nor is it enough to say that he is infinite in wisdom and goodness. This may prove that he would not require us to worship him to the exclusion of all other beings if that demand were not just. But the question still remains, Why is it right that God should demand of us adoration supreme and undivided? The fourth commandment was given to teach man why he owes supreme worship to God, and to keep the reason for this worship always present in his mind. God is the creator, and all other beings have been created by him. Whatever we possess of good we owe to God. He gave existence to our earth, and then formed man from its dust, and gave him life. When, therefore, God commands man to render to him adoration, supreme and undivided, he demands only his just due. Man owes worship to God because he has been created by him, and because that in him he lives, and moves, and has his being. Acts 17:28. It is for this reason that the fourth commandment requires us to celebrate the memorial of the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and of the human race. The fourth commandment does therefore constitute the basis of the law of God. Our obligation to obey God grows out of the fact that we owe our existence to him. Satan has therefore in all ages sought to destroy the fourth commandment that he might cause men to forget God. But God has shown his estimate of the value of this commandment by using the word "Remember" as its first word. The commandment bids men to honor the rest-day of the Creator, which he set apart in the beginning from all the business of this life. Man is always in danger of forgetting God. So God has given to man a memorial that will always bring to his mind the creation of all things. During the six days man must strive to keep God in his mind while laboring for the things of this life. But when the seventh day arrives God bids man stop and think of him alone. To him we owe everything, and therefore he shall receive from us the grateful adoration of our undivided hearts. It is upon this truth that the law of God rests its authority.