Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 27, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 30.

1540.—Made Known the Sabbath.

If the Sabbath was known and kept before the Israelites were brought out of Egypt, why should the Lord have made known (Neh. 9:13, 14), unto them the Sabbath after leaving Egypt? Would you infer from Gen. 8:10-12, that Noah was keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day, mentioned? K.

Nehemiah refers to Sinai (not “after leaving Egypt”) as the place where the Sabbath was made known; but it is certain that it was observed by Israel a month before this, as recorded in Exodus 16. Before this even had their duty been shown. Ex. 5:5. Pharaoh told Moses that he made the people “rest from their burdens,” literally, keep Sabbath; the same word occurs in Ex. 23:12; 34:21. Noah doubtless kept the seventh-day Sabbath. It was on the Sabbath—“at the end of days”—(Gen. 4:3, margin) that Cain and Abel brought their offerings.

God showed to Israel at Sinai: (1) That the Sabbath was so immutable that it was made a part—the very center so to speak—of His holy, unchangeable law. (2) The Sabbath was revealed as the memorial of God’s creative power, calling to constant remembrance Him to whom we owe all. (3) It was made known to Israel as a sign also of His creative power in redeeming His people from sin and destruction. Compare Deut. 4:32-40; 5:12-15; Ex. 31:17. Redeeming power is creative power. Eph. 2:10. God’s Sabbath is a constant, living sign and remembrance of His power to create, save, and sanctify. Eze. 20:12, 20. See “The Lord’s Day, the Test of the Ages,” B. S. L., No. 134 (Part 2, ch. 1), price 15 cents.

1541.—Angels. Gen. 18:2.

Will you please give an explanation of Gen. 18:2, in your Question Corner? Did the angels have the form of men? C. L. B.

We do not know how to make the verse any plainer than it is. From verses 16, 22, and 19:1, 5, 10, 12, it would seem clear that the angels appeared to both Abraham and Lot in the form of men. So God’s angels have always appeared, more glorious, but in the form of men still. Dan. 9:21; 12:5-7. The original word rendered “angel” means “messenger.” The cherubim and seraphim seem to be different orders of celestial beings.

1542—Noah and Flesh Meats.

Was it necessary for Noah and his family to eat meat to sustain life after the flood? C. L. B.

It was if that was all the food he had, and such seems to have been the case.