The True Sabbath Law

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 43.

The True Sabbath Law

THEY who read into the Sabbath law the Jewish traditions of “a Sabbath day’s journey,” or the local laws regarding the Sabbath in the wilderness, are adding to and perverting the law of God. The law of the Sabbath is found in Ex. 20:8-11. That does not forbid religious service; for the priests ministered in the sanctuary more that day than any other (Num. 28:1-10), and were “blameless.” Matt. 12:5. The true interpretation of the law is shown in our Saviour’s life and teaching. Isaiah, who spoke by the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:10, 11), says that we should “call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable,” that we should not do our own carnal pleasures, but God’s will (Isa. 58:13); and Jesus says in justification of his own work of compassion and ministering, “It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath-days.” Matt. 12:12. “Lawful” is according to law. Therefore Jesus did not break the Sabbath, and his life is our example of what God requires.