3592 — Sabbath and Covenant
By Editor
Please give me Scripture to prove that Abraham kept the seventh-day Sabbath, and also explain why God says in Deut. 5:3 that He "made not this covenant with our fathers." Does that mean that Abraham was not under the law of Ten Commandments? H. B. L. 1. It is very clearly taught in both Gen. 2:2, 3 and Ex. 20:8-11, that one of the commandments of God, one of the laws of God, one of His precepts, is that which enjoins the seventh-day Sabbath; and the Word expressly declares concerning Abraham, "Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Please note that Abraham obeyed God's "voice," and that is just what the Ten Commandments are declared to be. Compare Ex. 19:5 with Ex. 20:1-17 and Deut. 5:22. This clearly shows that Abraham observed the Sabbath of the Lord, as God commanded. 2. "Our fathers" in Deut. 5:3 is used to emphasize the importance of Israel's obedience. It is not that God did not always wish His people to obey, but Moses would impress upon those who were listening to his voice that that covenant was made with them who were there. But that covenant is not the Ten Commandments; it was the agreement between God and the children of Israel. See Ex. 19:4-6. Do not get the wrong idea concerning the expression "under the law." Generally "under the law" does not mean under obligation to keep the law, but under the condemnation of the law. The expression is a New Testament expression. See the tract entitled " 'Under the Law,' or 'Under Grace'?" Bible Students' Library No. 163. This clearly explains all those expressions in the New Testament "under the law." He only is not under the law who obeys it. He who obeys it has the law of God written in his heart; he is with the law. He who is under the law is condemned by the law. Grace takes that condemnation away, but it does not take the condemnation away that man may break the law. It cleanses the man from sin, and takes away the condemnation, in order that the righteousness, the requirement of the law, "might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." It is only the carnal mind that is in rebellion against God and His law.