Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 8, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 40.

Question Corner.

By Editor

"Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently."

No. 431. What People? The Observance of the Sabbath.

(1) In St. Matt. 5:21, 27, etc., what people did Christ refer to by "them of old time"? (2) Were there any other people besides the children of Israel at the time the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sinai? (3) Can a person keep the Sabbath—the fourth commandment of the Decalogue—and carry his milk, or cause or allow his milk, which is manufactured into cheese or butter on the Sabbath, to be taken to the factory on that day?

1. "Them of old time" was the children of Israel. See the references from Matt. 5:21, 27, to the commandments in Exodus 20. The margin gives the better reading. It was not said "by them of old time," but "to them of old time." But God required more than the outward observance of the law; it can only be observed by having the heart right.

2. Yes, there were the "mixed multitude" from Egypt, and the relatives of Moses' wife, some Midianites. See Ex. 18:5-27 and Num. 10:30-32. The departing may not have taken place until after the law was spoken. However, it was given to all the world through the Hebrews, even as all revealed truth came to the world through them. See Rom. 9:4, 5.

3. To the third question we can not reply dogmatically. Circumstances of this kind are so varied, motives are so different, that it is impossible to decide for others. These questions of motives and morals must be decided between the actor and God. Many farmers think that it makes less work to have their milk go to the factory than it would be to keep it at home. Others keep it at home that day. Let every brother be sure that his course is right with God, and let us all be careful not to judge one another any more. See Rom. 14:12, 13. Yet, only so much Sabbath work of our own should be done as is necessary. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy," is a command for all the week.