The Sabbath and Israel by D. A. Robinson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 20, 1874

The Sabbath and Israel.

By D. A. Robinson

The Bible very clearly proves the fact that the Israelites were under obligations to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. This statement is established by a reference to Ex. 31:16, 17. “Wherefore 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 forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”

In the light of this testimony, we inquire, How long will the Sabbath remain binding? Of course the answer to this depends entirely upon the length of time that the parties exist between whom the Sabbath is a sign. Says the Lord, “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel;” but as we do not need to prove that the first party will always exist, the answer to the question can be obtained by ascertaining the duration of Israel.

If we learn from our investigation that Israel has ceased, passed away, and no longer exists, then we must come to the conclusion that the Sabbath has ceased to be a sign between God and his people unless the Bible somewhere else reveals the fact. But if we find that Israel exists in 1874, and will always continue, then our conclusions must be very different.

In searching for the truth on this subject we will state a few points to be proved.

I. Meaning of the term Israel.

II. Who are Israelites?

III. How long are they to continue?

IV. Their character.

I. Meaning of the term. “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Jacob’s name was changed to Israel because he had power to prevail with God. Then Israel in the true sense is composed of those who prevail with God, and not those only who are the natural descendants of Abraham.

II. Who are Israelites? Paul very clearly shows us who they are. He makes a marked distinction between Israel after the flesh and the true Israel. Israel after the flesh were the descendants of Abraham, and yet Paul goes on to show that Israel

proper are those who do the works of Abraham whether they are of the natural seed or not; thus he calls Abraham the father of all them that believe. Rom. 4:11, 16.

From this we can understand our Saviour’s language to the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matt. 3:9, “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father, &c.” You need not think to say this, that Abraham is your father, and because of this relation you are all right. God is not dependent on you for a people, and you will not meet his approbation unless you bring forth fruits meet for repentance. “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”

Paul continues, “For they are not all Israel, who are of Israel; neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children.” The Jews made the plea that they were the children of Abraham. “Abraham is our father.” Jesus saith unto them, if ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God; this did not Abraham.” John 8:39, 40.

Here our Saviour teaches us that Abraham’s children, or Israel, are those who obey God, or in other words prevail with God. We have seen that Israel is that people who believe, who have faith, and who do the works of faithful Abraham.

Paul uses still stronger language, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:7, 19. Then the individual who has an interest in Christ, who has had an application of his precious blood to wash from sin, is a child of Abraham, and hence a part of the true Israel of God.

III. How long are they to continue?

This has been partly proved already. A few words on this point will suffice. In the 21st chapter of Revelation, we have a description of the city of God, the New Jerusalem. Verse 12 says that on the twelve gates were written “the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” Through these gates the Israel of God will enter. Thus we find them in the immortal state.

The prophet Jeremiah also teaches very clearly that Israel will eternally endure. Jer. 31:35, 36. What shall we say then to the following language: “Wherefore 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 forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Ex. 31:16, 17. As we have said before, the Sabbath can never cease to be a sign so long as the parties exist between whom it is a sign. And it must always be the seventh-day Sabbath; for the reason that the fact upon which it is based will always remain a fact; so we find it observed in the immortal state.

IV. Their character.

We will speak more particularly of the remnant of Israel. They are brought to view in Rev. 14 as having the Father’s name written in their foreheads. This same company is again brought to view in Rev. 7, and it is there positively stated that they were of the twelve tribes of Israel. This being the company that will be redeemed at the second coming of Christ, of course must be the remnant. It is said of them that “in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. 14:5. Again, they keep the commandments of God. Rev. 12:17. This is in harmony with the works of their father Abraham. Gen. 26:5.

The prophet Zephaniah gives a description of what their character must be. “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.” Zeph. 3:13.

They are again addressed in Isa. 51. In verse 1, they are called upon to hearken. Verse 2 shows us who are addressed, namely, the children of Abraham. Verses 5 and 6 give the chronology of this call to hearken. It is when God is about to judge the people, and near the time when “the heavens will vanish away like smoke.” The prophet declares that the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

What is this righteousness which shall not be abolished? “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. My tongue shall speak of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:142, 172. Children of Abraham! Professing Christians! here is a call for you to hearken, for “if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed.” The Lord has something important for you to hear. He calls upon you to hearken, then he declares that his righteousness shall not be abolished. “All thy commandments are righteousness.” Have you thought that a part of God’s commandments has been abolished? If so, you have been mistaken. He declares that it is not so.

Again he says, “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law.” Then somebody will have the law of God in their hearts; and when this is the case, it will be their delight to keep it in every particular.

Paul says, “I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” Rom. 7:22. The psalmist, using language which has reference to Christ, says, “I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 48:8. May the cry of every one be for a true copy of the law of God on their hearts; for when this work is accomplished it will be the delight of all to obey and by obedience we shall be permitted to “enter in through the gates into the city” with all the Israel of God.

D. A. ROBINSON.

Marlow, N. H.