Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1912

Editorial

By Editor

The Sabbath in the Patriarchal Age

No direct Bible reference is made to Sabbath observance from the time of its institution at creation until we reach the close of Egyptian captivity. This is not remarkable when we consider that in the fifty brief chapters covering this period there is outlined the history of the human family, in its relation to the promised Seed, for two thousand five hundred years. There are, however, Scriptural references that clearly indicate a knowledge of the weekly period and of a stated rest day. "Circumstances are recorded which but for the antecedent institution and continued obligation of a sacred seventh day could not have been mentioned or even have existed." We find early respect shown to the septenary number. A "sevenfold" vengeance was pronounced against the one who should take the life of Cain. Gen. 4:15. The clean beasts that entered the ark were selected by sevens. Gen. 7:1-3. The allotted periods of prosperity and famine in the land of Egypt were seven years each. Gen. 41:15-32. Two different times Noah "stayed" seven days before he "sent forth the dove out of the ark." Gen. 8:10-12. Job is supposed to have lived in the patriarchal period. In token of their sympathetic grief, his friends sat with him for seven days and seven nights. Job 2:13. The death of Jacob was mourned seven days (Gen. 50:10), and in the experience of Jacob with his uncle Laban, we have distinct reference to the week. Gen. 29:27, 28. These particular references to periods of seven days indicate a general regard of the weekly cycle.

It is evident from the sacred record that during the patriarchal age there were regular days for worship. The record states that "in process of time" (marginal reading, "at the end of days") Cain and Abel brought their offerings to one common place to engage in the worship of God. Evidently there were others at this service, for Cain waited until he was alone with Abel in the field before he vented upon him his unrighteous wrath. Gen. 4:1-8. Job evidently refers to stated times of public gatherings when he says: "I stood up, and I cried in the congregation." Job 30:28. During this period regular forms of worship were observed. A priestly service was carried forward. This service was supported by regular, specified offerings, such as the payment of tithe. Gen. 14:18-20. This worship was closely related to the observance of the holy time which the Creator devoted to spiritual uses. The honesty and loyalty of mankind then as now were tested by the reservation of a portion of both their time and their money for the service of God.

That the weekly period was recognized among the ancient nations there seems to be abundant evidence. Wilbur F. Crafts, A. M., in his book "The Sabbath for Man," quotes Rev. W. W. Atterbury, "whose studies in Sabbath literature have been very extensive," as saying this regarding the observance of the weekly period among the nations of the Old World:—

From time whereof the memory of man and history and mythology run not to the contrary, the division of time into the week of seven days has been the almost universal law. It prevailed among peoples far removed from each other, and remote from, as well as near to, the Asiatic center whence the nations of men radiated—among Persians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Hindus, the ancient Chinese on the farthermost east, and the Scandinavians on the northwest. In most of these instances it is certain that the week revolved upon a day of rest; and as religions rest days, dies feriati, are found all through history, marking the divisions of the year, it is altogether probable that, wherever the division by weeks existed, it was marked originally by the observance of rest days.

To this Dr. Crafts adds:—

This ancient "week" can not be explained as borrowed from the Jews, for it is found in the stone records of yet older nations; nor as suggested by the sun, moon, and five chief planets, for such a seven is unnatural, and was evidently borrowed from some earlier "seven;" nor as the result of quartering the month, for seven is not an exact quarter. No reasonable explanation of the general prevalence of the seven-day week among the most ancient nations has been offered save that which traces it to their common ancestor.—Page 365.

Such testimony might be multiplied manyfold. They all bear witness to the original purpose of Jehovah in establishing an institution of rest of race-wide and perpetual obligation.

But few direct and distinct references are made during the patriarchal period to the law of the ten commandments, and yet one in reading the Scripture record can clearly see that this great standard of morality and Christian conduct was understood and regarded by the children of God. The apostle Paul tells us that a knowledge of sin comes only through a recognition of the law. Rom. 7:7. See also 1 John 3:4. God held men accountable for their conduct during the patriarchal period. He declared to Cain, "If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." Gen. 4:7. Cain had a knowledge of a standard of right. That standard is recognized throughout the Word of God as the law of the ten commandments. Shem and Japheth, the sons of Noah, recognized the violation of the fifth commandment in the course of Ham in the disrespect he showed to his father. Gen. 9:20-27. The Lord declared that because "Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws," he would not only bless him, but that through his seed all nations of men should likewise be blessed. Gen. 26:4, 5. Other references might be cited showing that the people living in the patriarchal age recognized the great standard of God's righteousness.

We can not conceive that there would be in the law as given at Sinai any change in this standard, but that when God spoke his ten great words, they were the embodiment of the same great principles that he had set before the children of men as the standard by which they were to gage their conduct in their relation to one another and to him, and by which every generation of men would be judged at last. James 2:10-12. The Sabbath, as a part of this law, was recognized by the children of God from its institution in the garden of Eden throughout the patriarchal dispensation.

F. M. W.