Rebuttal to the Seven Most Popular
Arguments Advanced by Those Who Buy
and Sell on the Sabbath
~~~
Introduction
Who Decides How God is Worshiped?
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself:
it is not in man that walks to direct his own steps
Jeremiah 10:23
S everal years ago a longstanding member of a major Protestant denomination began questioning some of the traditions of his church. Most notable among these traditions were the festivals and holy days taught by his pastor and embraced by his denomination his entire life.
As a child growing up, this man believed in these traditions. He loved Christmas with all its decorations and presents. He anticipated Easter with its candy and games. They were such great days. What was not to like?
Later, as a young adult, this devout man tried to see meaning and significance in these seasons, but eventually the things he had long thought to be true began to look less true. Oh, to be sure, Jesus’ birth is described in the Bible, but noticeably absent is any evidence of this event being celebrated by the apostles or the early New Testament church. And although Jesus’ resurrection consumes a significant portion of the gospels, the early church kept the Passover, not Easter. Even a casual study of these holidays revealed that their origin came not from the scriptures but rather from ancient Pagan festivals dedicated to honoring an endless array of deities, but never the God of the Bible.
The young man’s study would then take him to the Sabbath, and once again, another longstanding practice of the church seemed to directly contradict the Bible. As he continued to research this subject, he would discover that Jesus and His apostles as well as the first century Christians kept the seventh day (Saturday), not Sunday as he had been taught.
Overwhelmed by this new understanding, the young man approached his pastor for answers. However, instead of answers, all he seemed to get were excuses. His pastor argued that it doesn’t really matter which day a Christian observes because “God looks on the heart.” He then explained that Sunday worship and holidays such as Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent actually enhance the meaning of the “faith” and point believers to a deeper understanding of the gospel. Therefore, God couldn’t possibly be opposed to such traditions.
As this meeting progressed, the young man’s pastor vigorously defended each of the festivals kept by the church. At one point, he even argued that the world as we know it today, with all its complexities, made it impossible to keep the Sabbath as described in the Bible. He then argued that Christmas was a wonderful holiday because of its impact on children, while Easter was equally beautiful because it was a means to evangelize to unbelievers about a risen Christ. During this meeting, this pastor actually suggested that the holy days kept by Jesus and His disciples were legalistic and burdensome and those who keep them today are simply being self-righteous.
When the young man indicated that not one argument advanced by his pastor could be supported by scripture, his pastor became furious. He accused the young man of being pharisaical and intolerant. At one point, he even called him a “Judaizer.” He then suggested that the young man look into his heart for answers. But never once did he encourage him to look into God’s word for the truth.
One Last Question
As the young man began to leave his pastor’s office he paused and then asked this man he had trusted for so many years one last question. “Sir,” he said, “Does the Bible anywhere remotely hint that man has the authority to decide for himself how he may worship his Creator?”
There is a profound quality and strength to this question because it cuts to the very core of the faith proclaimed in the pages of your Bible. It is a question that should be on the lips of every true believer. Tragically, however, it is not.
Mankind down through the ages has always attempted to worship God on his own terms. As a result of this approach, man has crafted an endless array of faiths, all claiming to serve some higher power. Even within Christianity there are virtually hundreds of denominations with radically different beliefs. However, each of these denominations asserts that it is a “Bible believing church.” How is this possible?
A Question Answered
Although the young man’s pastor never answered his last question, the Bible most certainly does. The scriptures declare with great force that man does NOT have the moral authority to decide for himself how he will worship the Great Creator of Heaven and Earth. God alone has this authority. Furthermore, both the Old and New Testaments warn against thinking otherwise.
A Stern Warning
When speaking to the children of Israel, God once warned them to not inquire about other religions and to never attempt integrating those religions into the truth He was giving them (Dt. 12:30-31). He then expressed a powerful principle regarding how He is to be worshiped.
Whatsoever thing I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto nor diminish from it. (Dt. 12:32)
Here God is stating that true faith is defined by Him, not by man. God alone has the moral authority to determine how He is to be worshiped. Furthermore, God commanded Israel to follow each of His instructions precisely as they were given. They were not to add to it or take anything away from it in any way, shape or form. Tragically, this is a principle that the ancient nation of Israel repeatedly ignored. The Bible is a chronicle of this defiance. Consider just two examples.
Example I
When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites were demanding that Aaron fashion a golden calf so that they could have an idol to lead them (Ex. 32:1). Once this idol was crafted, Aaron had the audacity to proclaim it as a gift to the very God who had delivered these slaves out of bondage. With the idol in plain view of this newly emancipated people, Aaron declared “a feast to the Eternal.”
And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord. (Ex. 32:5)
Imagine the scope of this act. While God Himself was commanding Moses to refrain from making any graven images (the second commandment), Aaron was fashioning a golden calf for God’s people to worship! When God saw this attempt to build a faith using the traditions of Egypt, He was furious and even threatened to extinguish the Israelites for such defiance (Ex. 32:7-10).
Example II
Later, when Israel was a young monarchy under King Saul, God, through his prophet Samuel, gave them very specific instructions concerning how to prosecute a war with the Amalekites (1Sa.15:2-3). However, as the war progressed, Saul made some modifications to these instructions (verse 9).
When the battle was over, Samuel came to the king and asked why he hadn’t followed God’s word concerning the war they had just won (verses 10-14). Saul responded by explaining that he thought his approach would enhance Israel’s worship of the Eternal (verse 15). Imagine a man, even a king, actually thinking he knew better than God about worship. But that is exactly what Saul argued.
These are just two of many Old Testament examples where God’s children tried to “do Him one better” when it came to defining the faith. Regrettably, such examples of defiance are not limited to the ancient nation of Israel. The New Testament also describes several examples of God’s people thinking they could somehow decide for themselves how to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
In Vain Do They Worship Me
The gospels of Matthew and Mark record an event in which Jesus was chastised by the religious leaders of His day because His disciples “transgressed the tradition of the elders” (Mt. 15:1-2, Mk. 7:1-5). Jesus responded to this accusation by rebuking these “pious” men because they held their traditions as having greater moral weight than God’s law. Notice what He said:
“...Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” And he said unto them, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (Mk. 7:6-9)
A History of Defiance
Clearly, the story of mankind is a story of defiance. It is a story of man thinking that he can decide for himself how he will serve the God who made him. The danger of such arrogance is staggering and even threatens those who consider themselves true believers. Notice the sober warning Jesus gave concerning some who thought they could worship God on their terms.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity. (Mt 7:21-23)
Here, the Messiah declares with great force that simply confessing “Jesus is Lord” is not enough. God requires action. The faith of His people must be a living faith (Jas. 2:20) – one that demonstrates a total commitment to the Great God of Heaven. Such a commitment is reflected in obedience to Him and His law.
With this in mind, the big question facing God’s people today is powerfully linked to the warning Jesus uttered when giving the Sermon on the Mount.
Are you obeying the God of Heaven - or have you
been captured by the traditions of men?
Part II of A Sabbath Test addresses the seven most popular arguments advanced by proponents of dining out on the Sabbath. For some, this activity has even become a tradition – one that defines a significant part of the day God himself calls HOLY.
Furthermore, although the overwhelming evidence in scripture instructs God’s people to refrain from this practice, it is still a common activity in His church today. It is even vigorously defended by many of its leaders. Furthermore, those who defend it often employ the same reasoning Sunday-keepers use for justifying the first day as their day of worship.
As you ponder each argument, ask yourself one very important question: “Does the Bible even remotely suggest that man has the authority to decide for himself how he may worship his Creator?” By understanding this one truth, the words that follow will become abundantly clear.
Argument #1
A Millennial Foretaste
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand,
and when you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21
One of the most popular arguments advanced by those who frequent restaurants on the Sabbath is that such a practice actually enhances the observance of this day. Notice the words of a longstanding evangelist who acknowledged that he and his wife often dine out on the Sabbath, particularly Friday evenings:
“I can’t imagine not going to a fine restaurant on the Sabbath. It’s a very millennial setting - a delicious meal and wonderful fellowship.”
This evangelist offers an interesting point. According to his reasoning, the setting at a fine restaurant makes the Sabbath more reflective of God’s Kingdom. But what would this leader say to those who cannot afford such an activity? Is their Sabbath somehow diminished because they must share this meal in their home? What about going to a pizza parlor or a fast food restaurant on the Sabbath? Would this be consistent with a picture of the millennium?
To be sure, going out to dinner at a fine restaurant is an experience that can bring great pleasure. It is also true that the millennium will be a time of unimaginable abundance and prosperity. But is there a connection between going to a restaurant on the Sabbath and the Kingdom it allegedly pictures? The answer to this question is an emphatic NO! In reality, dining out on the Sabbath not only contradicts God’s Kingdom, it actually embraces the kingdoms of men.
The fact that the meal takes place at an expensive restaurant does not make it any more appropriate than if it were a burger and fries at a local “fast food joint.” Such a practice does not keep this day SACRED or HOLY. It does not show deference to the Sabbath or its purpose. Instead, it is using time that belongs to the Creator of Heaven and Earth for one’s personal enjoyment. Regardless of how adamant this church leader is, this practice does not honor God nor does it picture His kingdom. To illustrate this truth, consider the following question:
Will there be restaurants open on the Sabbath
during the millennium?
It is doubtful that any serious Sabbath-keeping Christian would hesitate if asked this question. The answer is: “Of course not!” This being the case, how can an activity that will not be a part of God’s kingdom because it would go contrary to His law, somehow picture that kingdom? The plain truth is: it can’t!
The mistake in the reasoning of this evangelist is the belief that if something is beautiful and gives pleasure, it must be good. In other words, “it can’t be wrong if it feels so right.”
This same argument has been advanced by the Protestant world in defense of an endless array of traditions it holds dear. After all, Christmas is beautiful and teaches children about the birth of Jesus; it must be good. Easter is beautiful and teaches about His resurrection; it, too, must be good.
The belief that the goodness of something can be determined by the feeling it instills is not new. This line of thinking has been at the center of every heresy ever crafted by men seeking to worship God. Furthermore, it is never the standard God applies when determining righteousness.
The fact of the matter is that the way something looks and feels does not determine its moral standing with the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. God alone is the True Judge of what is good and what is evil. He is the great Moral Authority. His judgments are reflected in His great moral code: the Ten Commandments. If man truly desires to know what pleases his Creator, he should ask Him. He should seek God’s wisdom in His word. When it comes to buying and selling on His Sabbath, God’s word is very clear. Notice what He conveys through His servant Nehemiah.
And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day... (Neh. 10:31)
Nehemiah’s words are not ambiguous. In fact, they couldn’t be more clear: God’s people are not to purchase goods and services on His Sabbath or holy days.
Later, Nehemiah would become even more forceful when addressing this issue. At that time, he actually locked the gates of Jerusalem and prohibited vendors from entering the city on the Sabbath day to sell their goods. He even threatened to use force to prevent these “entrepreneurs” from engaging in business on the Sabbath.
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified against them in the Day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do so again I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came no more on the Sabbath. (Neh. 13:15-21)
With this in mind, it is hard to imagine that this great servant of God would see the practice of going to a restaurant on the Sabbath as a picture of God’s millennial Kingdom. On the contrary, Nehemiah saw it as a threat to God’s people. In a very real sense, this champion of faith saw buying and selling on the Sabbath as a picture of something very ominous – CAPTIVITY! Notice his words:
Did not your fathers thus (buy and sell on the Sabbath), and did not our God bring all this evil (captivity) upon us, and upon this city? Yet you bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. (Ne. 13:18)
Here, Nehemiah is declaring that the people of Judah were engaging in the very practice that led to their captivity in the first place. They were profaning God’s Sabbath. They desecrated this holy time by engaging in business. They were purchasing food on this sacred day.
Sabbath Conversation and Restaurants
Some have argued that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is acceptable to God because of what is done there. After all, God’s people go there to talk about the Bible and the Kingdom. How could that not please Him?
Once again, this argument employs the same reasoning used by the Protestant world when they justify keeping Sunday as their Sabbath. After all, every Sunday they read the Bible, sing praises to God, and pray for His kingdom to return. That must be pleasing to Him, too, right? What Sabbath-keeping Christian really believes this argument?
Throughout human history, man has always attempted to justify his behavior by cloaking it in acts of goodness. However, when you get right down to it, talking about God while dining out on the Sabbath possesses about the same moral weight as talking about God while eating a ham sandwich. The problem is not with the conversation. It’s with the conduct.
Come Out of Her, My People
One of the great ironies of going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is that this practice actually mirrors one of the most popular traditions of this world. In the United States, more people frequent restaurants between Friday evening and Saturday evening than any other 24-hour period. There is even a major restaurant chain whose name captures the sentiments of this tradition. That sentiment is expressed in the saying “Thank God it’s Friday.”
Regardless of how hard one may defend the tradition of dining out on the Sabbath, it simply doesn’t reconcile with the scriptures. The plain truth is clear and direct. Dining out on the Sabbath is not Godly; it is WORLDLY! It is a tradition of men – one that is embraced by a world that couldn’t care less about the Great God of Heaven and His soon coming Kingdom. It is hard to imagine a practice that stands in greater defiance to the Creator and His law.
Tragically, thousands of God’s people see this practice as harmless. But make no mistake about it: God did not invent going to restaurants on His Sabbath. It is a tradition of a world that doesn’t know Him. God warns His people to beware of being ensnared by the practices of a society that is defiant to Him. Here is what He says.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Rev. 18:4)
Those who think that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is an appropriate activity because it creates a millennial setting should think again. When that millennial Kingdom returns, God’s Sabbath and holy days will be honored in accordance with His instructions, not man’s traditions.
Argument #2
A Complex World
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but the ends thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12
When giving a sermon regarding the proper observance of the Sabbath, a prominent minister in the Church of God addressed the issue of going to restaurants on this day. It was clear from his message that he saw nothing wrong with this practice. At one point, this pastor actually suggested that the complex nature of our world today makes it impossible to keep the Sabbath as prescribed in the scriptures. He specifically noted God’s instructions regarding buying and selling.
This man did not dispute the fact that in the Old Testament, buying and selling on the Sabbath went contrary to the scriptures. However, based on the nature of our contemporary world, not buying and selling would be so impractical as to actually be a stumbling block to God’s people.
According to this pastor, God’s people today often buy and sell on the Sabbath without even realizing it. He cited as proof the fact that most homes in the modern world are equipped with utilities such as gas, electricity, and water. This minister contended that as a result of using these services on the Sabbath, God’s people not only pay for them, but also make it necessary for utility companies to support their service with manpower on this day – a practice which technically violates God’s instruction prohibiting others such as “the stranger within thy gates” (Ex. 20:10) from working on behalf of His people on the Sabbath.
This highly respected minister has advanced a very unusual stream of logic in his argument. His reasoning is based on the premise that because you do not have authority over that which is beyond your control, you do not have to exercise such authority over that which is within your control. Therefore, buying and selling on the Sabbath is permissible in today’s world. It is interesting that this identical argument has been used prolifically by the Protestant world as justification for not keeping the Sabbath at all.
Rationalizing a Tradition
It is difficult to regard this argument as anything other than a brazen attempt to rationalize a practice that is nowhere supported in scripture. In essence, it is using technology and progress to invalidate God’s word. Following this argument to its logical conclusion, this minister is suggesting that if the world during the days of Nehemiah was as technologically advanced as it is today, Nehemiah would never have prohibited vendors from entering into Jerusalem and selling their goods on the Sabbath. Does anyone really believe this would be the case?
To illustrate how foolish such an argument is, consider how it could be used with respect to eating unclean foods. The argument would go something like this: Because all foods at restaurants are prepared on common working surfaces, clean foods come in contact with unclean foods. Therefore microscopic particles of unclean meats will attach themselves to the steak you just enjoyed at that five star restaurant. This being the case, you might as well order that lobster because you probably had some of it with the meal you just finished.
Would such an argument ever persuade you to order a ham sandwich the next time you go to a restaurant? Of course not! Because it is obvious that God expects His people to exercise authority over things they can control, not things they can’t. The choice of what you eat as well as when you eat it falls within that control. If you wouldn’t eat a ham sandwich because God’s law forbids it, why would you buy and sell on His Sabbath – which is forbidden by the same God?
The plain truth regarding eating out at restaurants on the Sabbath is revealed not only in the words of Nehemiah, but also in the example of God’s people throughout the Bible. There is not a hint that any of the champions of the faith engaged in such a practice.
It is true that Jesus’ apostles picked corn on the Sabbath (Mt.12:1-8), but noticeably absent from this act was any attempt by Jesus or the apostles to buy it. Furthermore, at no time did they try to hire others to pick it for them and prepare it. What the disciples were doing was tantamount to plucking an apple from a tree and enjoying a piece of fruit during a Sabbath walk. This act may have offended the Pharisees but it did not offend the scriptures. To compare this to going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is like comparing it to harvesting crops on the Sabbath. It simply is not what happened.
To the minister who advanced the argument of “a complex world,” consider the following questions concerning the millennial Kingdom God’s Sabbath pictures:
Will there be technology in the Kingdom? The scriptures suggest the answer is Yes.
Will homes in the Kingdom enjoy advances in technology? Again, the scriptures suggest the answer is Yes.
Will restaurants be open on the Sabbath during the Millennium? And will God’s people dine in them on the seventh day? Here, the scriptures are also clear.
Regardless of how technologically advanced God’s kingdom will be, one thing is for certain: His great moral code, the Ten Commandments, will be in effect, and His people will honor every one of them as He directs – including the fourth.
Argument #3
Strict Obedience is
Pharisaical
Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites,
as it is written, This people honor me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me
Mark 7:6
The most common assertion advanced by proponents of going to restaurants on the Sabbath is that those who refuse to do so are simply being self-righteous. This argument is unique in that it is not an affirmative defense of this practice, but rather an indictment of those who believe such a practice is wrong. In other words, this accusation is not proof that going to restaurants on the Sabbath is acceptable to God. It is rather a condemnation of those who would question such an activity.
It is interesting that this same assertion has been used prolifically by the Protestant world when condemning God’s people for keeping the Sabbath and holy days at all. It is also ironic that many of the leaders who systematically corrupted the doctrines of God’s church over the past fifteen plus years now regard those who held fast to the truth as “self-righteous Pharisee-types.”
What Is a Pharisee?
Today the term “pharisee” is one of the most pejorative in a “believer’s” lexicon. It implies that the recipient of this label is filled with arrogance and conceit and void of any compassion. It suggests that such people are legalistic – committed to works but not love. Pharisees are cold and insensitive. They are judgmental and cruel. They are quick to accuse and slow to forgive. And anyone who would question a practice as “innocent” as sharing a meal with brethren at a restaurant on the Sabbath must be a Pharisee. But does this term rightly describe those who refrain from going to restaurants on the Sabbath?
Those in God’s church who employ this label would be well advised to carefully consider what this accusation means and how God Himself understands this term. Just what is a Pharisee in God’s eyes? Furthermore, is it possible that those advancing this accusation are actually guilty of the very thing of which they accuse others?
To those who believe that opponents of going to restaurants on the Sabbath are being pharisaical, consider the following questions: Is eating unleavened bread during the spring holy days pharisaical? What about fasting on the Day of Atonement? Is that pharisaical? What about washing one another’s feet on the Passover? Or going to a far away place for eight days each fall? Are these practices pharisaical? What about abstaining from unclean meats? Or tithing? What about refusing to keep Christmas or Easter, even at the risk of great personal and professional harm? Is it pharisaical to conduct your life in such a way?
When it comes to the Sabbath, what about abstaining from work? Is that pharisaical? What about refusing to do your own pleasure on the Sabbath, or speaking your own words? Is that pharisaical?
If you were to ask these questions to the vast majority of “professing Christians,” they would probably answer “YES!” But what about God’s people? How would they regard the life God has called them to live? Is it pharisaical? More importantly, how does the God of your Bible view self-righteousness when it comes to worshiping Him?
To be sure, the attitude of self-righteousness is abhorrent to God and is a mortal enemy of His Kingdom. In a very real sense it is a form of idolatry, a violation of God’s law. In the first century, Pharisees were quick to quote the scriptures, but their lives were filled with a great sense of self-importance.
However, there was something very unique about these religious leaders that set them apart from the great heroes of the faith. These pious men relied on the traditions of the elders to define their faith. They saw these traditions as being even more influential in their lives than God’s law. Jesus considered this hypocrisy so vile that during the last days of His life, He excoriated the Pharisees because they reeked with such arrogance (Mt. 23). With this in mind, some very important questions need to be addressed with respect to going to restaurants. Consider the following:
Is refusing to go to a restaurant on the Sabbath pharisaical? In other words, is it based on a tradition or on God’s word?
Is refusing to buy or sell on the Sabbath pharisaical? In other words, is it based on a tradition or on God’s word?
When Nehemiah contended with the leaders of Judah because they were buying and selling on the Sabbath, was he just being a Pharisee?
Jesus Versus the Pharisees
One of the greatest indictments ever leveled by Jesus Christ against the religious leaders of His day was that these learned men embraced traditions they thought possessed greater moral weight than God’s law. Imagine having such arrogance! These men actually thought they knew better than God Himself when it came to how the GREAT CREATOR should be worshiped. Jesus saw this attitude as repugnant and He did not mince words when condemning it. He began by blasting their hypocrisy.
Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (Mk. 7:6)
Jesus then exposed their faith as worthless. It was void of any substance because it was driven by the contrivances of man. It was not God’s law they loved. It was their traditions.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the traditions of men... (Mk: 7:7-8)
At this point Jesus thundered a crushing indictment against these spiritual leaders for their attempt at refashioning God’s law. He put their behavior in God’s perspective and the picture was not pleasant.
Full well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition. (Mk.7:9)
It is important to understand that Jesus was NOT excoriating the Pharisees for being too careful in keeping God’s law. His condemnation was that they rejected that law. Here are His exact words.
FULL WELL YOU REJECT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD THAT YOU
MAY KEEP YOUR OWN TRADITION.
God’s people today should be in fear of those words. They are dreadful indeed and reflect the judgement of God Himself. If man embraces traditions instead of honoring God’s law, they make the law of none effect. When it comes to dining out on the Sabbath versus refraining from such a practice, which is driven by tradition?
The Bible makes it absolutely clear that the traditions of men have no place in the worship of God. Furthermore, those who believe they can decide for themselves what is acceptable to the Creator of Heaven and Earth should consider what the great prophet Jeremiah said about man’s capacity to make such decisions.
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his own steps. (Jer. 10:23)
Despite what mankind believes, humanity has never had the capacity to decide for himself how to worship the God of the Bible. Every attempt at this endeavor has only met with failure.
The scriptures reveal that God is the Great Moral Authority of the Universe. It is His wisdom that must be sought and honored. During His earthly life, Jesus Christ understood this timeless principle – and this understanding guided every decision He ever made. The Bible states without ambiguity that even Jesus did not rely on His own wisdom. Notice His own words:
I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me. (Jn. 5:30)
If Jesus wouldn’t rely on His own wisdom, why would anyone who calls himself a true believer try to do differently? The scriptures make it abundantly clear that God is not impressed with how man navigates his moral path (see: Pro. 14:12; Jer. 17:9).
God’s word also reveals that man’s wisdom is driven by a love of self, not a love of righteousness. However, God loves righteousness – and His law, the Ten Commandments, reflect that love. The Bible declares that God’s heart is inclined toward those who have a deep respect for His word. Notice what God reveals through the prophet Isaiah.
...To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite of spirit and trembles at my word. (Isa. 66:2)
There is a profound truth in this verse. Here, God is revealing that His law is to be treated with great deference and respect. In a very real sense, it is to be feared. Tragically, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day failed to reflect a proper reverence for God’s word. They thought they “could do Him one better” when it came to the scriptures. They were wrong. Tragically, their mistake has been repeated for two thousand years.
To those who claim that a person who refrains from going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is just being pharisaical, ask yourself the following.
Who trembles at God’s word?
Who loves its hope and fears its consequences?
Nehemiah certainly did. His bold words regarding buying and selling on the Sabbath are a testimony to how committed he was to God’s law (Ne.13:15-21). Now consider this: when it comes to God’s church today, who is most like that great servant? Those who eat out on the Sabbath, or those who don’t?
It is not the self-righteous that refrain from going to restaurants on the Sabbath. It is the self-righteous who believe you can do otherwise. They are the ones who “spin” God’s word to fit their traditions. They see God as tolerant of anything they do. To these “New Covenant Pharisees,” God has this warning:
Every work will come into judgement
Ecclesiastes 12:14
The argument that God will somehow give His people a “free pass” to dine out on the day He made holy reflects the height of arrogance. In a very real sense, it is pharisaical. It makes the law of God of none effect. It reflects a total disregard for God’s word.
However, God’s instructions are firm. His law is absolute. God’s word does not require man’s “spin,” it requires man’s obedience. Buying and selling on the Sabbath is a test of that obedience. The self-righteous will ignore that test. Those who tremble at His word will heed it.
Which best describes you?
Argument #4
I’m Not Responsible
And the lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel
your brother? And he said, I know not:
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Genesis 4:9
One of the most popular arguments advanced by proponents of dining out on the Sabbath is that those who serve them would be working anyway. This being the case, there is no apparent violation of the fourth commandment which prohibits the labor of a “manservant” or “maidservant” under the Sabbath-keeper’s authority (Ex. 20:10).
Even if you accept this argument as valid, it misses a critical point. The issue of whether or not one goes to a restaurant on the Sabbath is not about those who work at the restaurant on this day; it is about the Sabbath-keeper, and how he or she honors the fourth commandment. In other words, even though some may choose to work, what about those who choose to obey?
What does God expect of those people
concerning their behavior on His Sabbath?
Today we live in a world where the overwhelming majority of people on earth break God’s law without a second thought. This is because that law is not real to them nor is the Great God who fashioned it. There are few places where this attitude of indifference is more apparent than mankind’s approach to God’s Sabbath and holy days. For the most part
On a typical Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, mankind engages in a variety of enterprises. Many enjoy recreational activities and hobbies. Some spend time with family and friends. Others catch up on an endless array of household chores. But almost no one thinks of this time as the Sabbath of the Eternal. For most, this period belongs to them. Friday evening is their time. Saturday is their day.
A Typical Sabbath in the World
Among the endless array of activities engaged in on the Sabbath is WORK – the pursuit of a “living.” For many businesses, the Sabbath is the most profitable day of the week. It is a time when consumers have money to spend and businesses have products for them to spend it on. Regrettably, many of God’s people can be counted among those consumers.
The argument of those who believe it is okay to go out to a restaurant on the Sabbath because it isn’t work suggests that God is only concerned with the person selling the goods and services, not those purchasing them. Does this really make sense? Furthermore, is there an example in the scriptures that even remotely suggests such a practice is acceptable to God? Once again, the answer is NO!
When Nehemiah contended with the elders of Judah over engaging in commerce, as either the provider of goods or the consumer of them, he did not qualify his words. His warning was clear and direct and to suggest otherwise is a distortion of scripture. Nehemiah was so passionate regarding his opposition to engaging in commerce on the Sabbath that he actually threatened to use physical force against those who defied his word (Neh.13:15-21).
The argument that because a restaurant would be open anyway and therefore it is permissible in God’s sight to avail oneself of their services is simply not true. That argument is driven by a desire to justify a behavior that is nowhere found in the scriptures. Not only does the Bible instruct the restaurant personnel to cease from their labor, but it also commands the Sabbath-keeper to refrain from supporting that labor.
Additionally, to suggest that the Sabbath-keeper bears no responsibility for restaurant personnel working on this day is not entirely true. In a 2003 interview with a representative of one of the leading family restaurant chains in the United States, it was revealed that on a typical Sabbath, one of their stores serves approximately 600 customers. When asked what this restaurant would do if only 300 customers patronized their store, a representative stated, “We would reduce our manpower because the demand would not be as great.” This representative was then asked what would happen if no one visited the restaurant on the Sabbath. He responded, “The answer to this question is obvious. We would close on that day.”
With this in mind, if as few as six Sabbath-keepers frequent that restaurant on the Sabbath, their level of responsibility for that restaurant being open is one percent. In other words, those who profess to keep the Sabbath are one percent responsible for that restaurant’s decision to break this commandment. This is a fact that the representative acknowledged.
This is not to suggest that those who work at the restaurant would become Sabbath-keepers if their restaurant was closed on Saturdays. What it is saying is that the personnel in this restaurant who break the Sabbath are being compelled to do so for many reasons. When it comes to their specific labor at a restaurant, one percent of those reasons would be directly linked to God’s own people.
It is true that the decision to work on the Sabbath rests solely in the hands of restaurant personnel. But it is equally true that the decision to support that labor rests solely in the hands of those who purchase their goods and services. With this in mind, ask yourself one question: would Jesus ever compel them to work that one percent? The bottom line regarding this argument is really quite simple: You may not be able to prevent restaurant personnel from working on the Sabbath. But you most certainly can prevent them from working for you on that day!
Argument #5
It Preaches the Gospel
Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father in heaven
Matthew 5:16
One of the newer arguments advanced by people who frequent restaurants on the Sabbath is that by engaging in this practice, God’s people can actually preach the gospel. The thinking here is that restaurant personnel will see how polite and respectful God’s people are. Additionally, if there are children with them, they will also see how well behaved they are. Therefore, going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is an opportunity to “let your light shine” and to show the world there is a better way.
If this argument is true, why stop at restaurants? What about an amusement park? Certainly they would appreciate being witnessed to by God’s people on His Sabbath, wouldn’t they? How about the people who work at a bowling alley? Or a movie? What about a sporting event? Certainly a Saturday afternoon baseball game would be a great place to show fans and vendors alike how a child of God conducts himself.
Perhaps a golf course would work. This would be an ideal place to let your light shine. When one of the players in your foursome misses a three foot putt and begins to take God’s name in vain, you could remind him of the third commandment. However, don’t forget to duck if you do. Tragically, there are some who have actually suggested that each of these activities can be appropriate on the Sabbath for this very reason – it preaches the gospel.
The idea that a Sabbath meal at a restaurant is a godly activity because it affords His people an opportunity to be a witness to the world the would be silly if it wasn’t so serious. In reality, this argument actually mocks God’s word as well as the very Kingdom His Sabbath pictures.
A Gospel of Defiance
To be sure, the scriptures exhort God’s people to let their light shine (Mt. 5:16). Additionally, it is also true that one of the great commissions to the church is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom as a witness (Mt. 24:14). But what does going to a restaurant on the Sabbath say about these two very important scriptural directives? In reality, this activity says plenty, but none of it is good.
Those who go to restaurants on the Sabbath don’t honor God’s word – they actually defy it. Consider what this behavior is saying – it says: “Don’t take the Bible or God too seriously.” It says, “our children obey us, but we don’t obey our Father in Heaven when it comes to His instruction concerning the Sabbath.” It says, “We believe in God’s millennial Kingdom; we just don’t believe in picturing that Kingdom at this moment.”
In essence, this single act shouts before the God of Heaven the same declaration that every false religion has cried out down through the ages:
“I have the authority to decide
for myself how I will worship
the God who made me!”
To those who believe you can pick and choose what you will and will not do on the Sabbath, consider how many times man has attempted to worship the Creator on his own terms and it met with God’s approval. The answer is zero. Man has spent his entire history in such an endeavor and God has always rejected it. Consider just a few examples. Adam and Eve attempted to decide for themselves how they would worship God. How successful were they? What about those at the tower of Babel? How does history remember them? Even the great King Solomon consented to idolatry when he allowed his pagan wives to construct shrines to their gods in Israel. The scriptures indicate that this act greatly displeased the Eternal (2Ki.1:4-9).
In the New Testament church, many tried to craft a faith on their own and were severely indicted for it. The apostle Peter spoke of teachers who brought “damnable heresies” into the church (1Pet. 2:21). Additionally, the apostle John warned God’s people about a proliferation of false prophets, each bringing their own ideas on how to worship the King of the Universe (1Jn. 4:1). Such an approach didn’t work for them and it won’t work for anyone doing the same today. The point here is very simple: God is worshiped on His terms, PERIOD.
Despite this truth, thousands of God’s people are convinced that by letting their light shine at a restaurant on the Sabbath they can somehow turn the profane into that which is holy. This mistake has been made by countless thousands who have sought to justify their behavior and argue that their disobedience somehow has God’s blessing. It has never worked in the past, and there is no evidence that this trend is changing.
Justification, Not Faith
There are numerous stories illustrating how God’s people can fool themselves into believing that their behavior somehow has the blessing of the very King of the universe, despite the fact that it appears to go contrary to the scriptures. The following story reflects how man can spin a behavior into something that he is convinced actually looks godly.
The “Godly” Coach
Several years ago, a baptized member of God’s church left the faith and pursued a career as a high school teacher. In addition to teaching, this young man became a very successful basketball coach. His teams won championships and many of his players went on to play at some of the leading universities in the country.
When asked why he would coach on the Sabbath, this “believer” explained that what he was doing was in a sense “preaching the gospel” because he was teaching his players about fair play and sportsmanship. He argued that he was building character in young men and positively molding their lives. He then asked, “How could God be unhappy with that?”
This story is a typical example of how man can justify anything he does. The coach knew about God’s law regarding the Sabbath. Sadly, he thought he could decide for himself how he would honor that law and the God who made it.
The True Gospel
To those who have advanced the argument that dining out on the Sabbath in an appropriate activity because “It Preaches the Gospel,” ask yourself the following question:
What is a greater witness to this world,
your presence at a restaurant on the Sabbath,
or your absence?
As you think about this question, consider what lies ahead for those who work at restaurants on the Sabbath. The day will come when they will know about God and His Great Kingdom. At that time, they will understand God’s purpose for the Sabbath and they, too, will honor this great commandment.
Additionally, when God’s Kingdom is established on earth, its citizens will understand why God’s people today did certain things and refrained from doing others – including purchasing goods and services on His Sabbath. They will know that by refraining from buying and selling on the Sabbath, God’s people were not only honoring the Great Creator, they were also expressing a genuine hope for all mankind – a hope that all people would one day enter into God’s Sabbath rest. This is the true witness God’s people must proclaim. It is one that will be affirmed by the very government of God when His Kingdom returns. The gospel is NOT proclaimed by your presence at a restaurant on the Sabbath. It is, in fact, proclaimed by your absence.
To those who believe that God approves of well-intended Sabbath-keepers eating out at a restaurant on His day and letting their light shine, think of how many people down through the ages have sincerely believed that God approved of their method of worship. You might like to start with 19 men on four commercial jetliners on September 11, 2001. They thought they were doing God’s work, too.
Argument #6
Moderation and Balance
Who can understand his own error?
Psalm 19:12
One of the most common arguments advanced by people in God’s church today is that although one should not make a habit of going to restaurants on the Sabbath, it would not be wrong to engage in such a practice on occasion. In other words, it could be done in moderation and balance.
To be sure, the Bible does encourage moderation. This quality is a virtue that reflects discipline and self-control, which are essential components to the Christian walk. However, does the Bible remotely suggest that God approves of moderation when it comes to going contrary to His law? In other words, can you imagine anyone arguing that adultery is appropriate if done in moderation? That stealing is acceptable if done in balance?
When it comes to sin,
God prohibits moderation. He hates it!
To illustrate this point, how would God respond if His people wanted to go to an amusement park once every six months on the Sabbath? Or play golf every six weeks on His day? What about painting a room on the Sabbath? Or working on the family car every 5000 miles during the time God set apart as holy?
It is doubtful that any true Sabbath-keeper would see these activities, regardless of how infrequently they were done, as anything less than a clear violation of the fourth commandment. Those who think otherwise are just fooling themselves.
God’s law concerning His Sabbath makes many provisions for its observance. But it also outlines prohibitions. This is not done because God is some tyrant in the sky, but rather because He is a Master Architect who created the Sabbath and its great purpose.
When God instructed the children of Israel to “remember the the Sabbath and keep it holy,” He indicated that as a result of their obedience, they would know Him (Ex. 31:12-17). This alone should make honoring the fourth commandment among the highest of priorities. What could be more important than knowing the GREAT GOD and His plan? But how does one keep the Sabbath holy?
Specific Instructions
The Bible is filled with very specific instructions concerning how God’s Sabbath is to be kept. Additionally, the scriptures provide numerous examples of how the great champions of faith honored this commandment. Noticeably absent from these instructions and examples is any hint that buying and selling – even in moderation – is permitted on this day. It simply is not there.
On the contrary, God’s word indicates that buying and selling on the Sabbath is one of the primary reasons the nations of Israel and Judah went into captivity over 2500 years ago. This was the point Nehemiah was trying to hammer home when he contended with the nobles of Judah over their reckless disregard of this day (see Neh. 13:15-21).
Moderation or Compromise?
The argument of “Moderation and Balance” advanced by proponents of dining out on the Sabbath has the appearance of maturity and wisdom. After all, balance is the antithesis of excess. How could such a thing ever be wrong? However, when it comes to going to restaurants on the Sabbath this argument is not about balance. It is simply an attempt to compromise God’s law.
The fact of the matter is that God’s law forbids moderation in many areas. Consider just a few: God’s law prohibits lying in moderation, stealing in moderation, coveting in moderation, killing in moderation, cursing in moderation, or building an occasional graven image. Such “balance” is abhorrent to God. When it comes to the Sabbath, God’s law prohibits working in moderation, doing your own pleasure in moderation, and compelling others to work on your behalf in moderation. That law also prohibits buying in moderation as well as selling in moderation.
Appropriate Sabbath Activities
Although God’s law outlines certain prohibitions concerning the Sabbath, it also outlines numerous activities that enhance the honoring of this great commandment. In reality, the command to honor God’s Sabbath is among the most affirmative in the Decalogue. Here are just some of the things you can engage in on that day:
Rest from your labor.
Fellowship with God’s people.
Study His word.
Pray to Him.
Refrain from worry.
Meditate on His way.
Sing praises to Him.
Be nourished by His servants.
Anticipate His Kingdom.
Celebrate God’s way with family.
Teach your children.
Delight in the great hope He has given you.
Serve God’s people.
Comfort the weak.
Encourage the strong.
Embrace the lonely.
And in all of this, God’s word instructs His people to DELIGHT in this day, knowing that the Sabbath stands as evidence that God’s hope for all mankind will one day be accomplished!
A Great Blessing
The Sabbath pictures God’s great millennial Kingdom. It is a day filled with hope and rich in meaning. God’s people should see it as nothing less. The Sabbath is a day that provides a glimpse into a Kingdom that will be absent of suffering. That Kingdom will be a time of great peace, great prosperity, great health, and great hope. It will be a time when ignorance and superstition will be replaced with the knowledge of a loving God and Father. Honoring the Sabbath that pictures that Kingdom is nothing less than a tremendous privilege and blessing. It should fill all of God’s people with a sense of purpose and hope, and most of all, it should fill them with THANKSGIVING.
King David once wrote a psalm dedicated to the Sabbath (Psa. 92). It contains some of the most inspiring words ever recorded in scripture. The day will come when those words will be fulfilled. For now, God’s people can act out that great Kingdom every week. And to do so, they do not need an occasional visit to an amusement park, an occasional movie, or an occasional meal at a restaurant. Such practices do not reflect that Kingdom in the slightest, even if done in “moderation and balance.”
Argument #7
An Ox in the Ditch
I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge:
and my judgment is just: because I seek not my own will,
but the will of the Father which has sent me
John 5:30
One of the more popular arguments for going to restaurants on the Sabbath is based on the principle of “an ox in a ditch.” This argument is driven by the belief that circumstances beyond the Sabbath-keeper’s control might necessitate having to purchase a meal on the Sabbath. Therefore, because emergencies do arise from time to time and take a variety of forms, it is up to the conscience of the “believer” to determine if it would be appropriate to go to a restaurant on God’s day.
This is a very interesting argument primarily because it has very little to do with an ox and more to do with Prime Rib or Chicken Tarragon. In other words, as a general rule, the advocates of this reasoning are using it to justify buying and selling on the Sabbath, as opposed to exploring how God truly wants His people to manage genuine emergencies. This is made evident when advocates of this argument begin to define what constitutes an “ox in a ditch.” For most, just about anything meets this criteria. Consider some reasons actually advanced by leaders in God’s church as “an ox in a ditch.”
“A new family attended services for the first time and we wanted to be hospitable. Therefore we took them to a restaurant.”
“A large group wanted to discuss the sermon and their children were getting hungry.”
“We were going to attend a church activity that evening, but didn’t want to drive several miles home to eat before the sun set.”
“I’m a bachelor. I always eat out. If I had a wife,
I’d stay home.”
“We were running late to services, and were really hungry. So we went to a fast food restaurant to get a quick bite to eat.”
“We were so busy yesterday, we couldn’t go shopping.”
These are just a few of dozens of “reasons” God’s people have advanced as legitimate emergencies justifying going to a restaurant on the Sabbath – in other words, “an ox in a ditch.” But the real question that needs to be addressed is:
Where is the ox and where is the ditch?
If God’s people are going to invoke the principle of “an ox in a ditch” to justify dining out on the Sabbath, they would be well advised to understand the principle the Messiah was conveying when giving this lesson.
An Ox in a Ditch
When Jesus gave this very important principle regarding the Sabbath, He was dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Also there was a man suffering from “dropsy,” an abnormal and painful accumulation of fluid in the tissue of the body. Some believe this man was placed in front of Jesus in an attempt to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.
Jesus seized upon this moment to teach a valuable lesson about compassion. He began by asking these religious leaders if it was wrong to heal on the Sabbath. When they did not answer Him, Jesus healed the man. Perhaps anticipating a reaction from these “pious” leaders, Jesus posed another question:
Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day? (Lk. 14:5)
Jesus’ question silenced these men because it not only appealed to their understanding of the scriptures, but to rabbinical law which also provided for such acts of mercy. By invoking the law, Jesus was cutting through all the potential arguments these men may have been crafting. However, His words and actions were saying much more. The point He was making was that sometimes life does not go according to plan. There can be unexpected twists and turns. In short: an ox can fall into a pit.
The action Jesus took illustrated that when there is danger to life or property, God understands and even expects His children to take measures to correct the problem, even if it occurs on His Sabbath. In other words, save the ox.
This principle can be applied to other situations in life. There may be a time when the car breaks down or an injury occurs. These are not planned events. They are unforseen emergencies. The fact is that our lives can be interrupted by events that are simply beyond our control.
However, there is a principle here that must be respected. The ox in a ditch is the exception, not the rule. In other words, just because you had to change a flat tire last Sabbath does not mean it is okay to set up an auto repair business that is open seven days a week.
A Genuine Emergency
There are times when purchasing something on the Sabbath might be appropriate based on the principle of an ox in a ditch. For example: suppose you are taking a Sabbath walk and notice an elderly gentleman has collapsed on the sidewalk. When you approach to offer assistance, he informs you that he is diabetic and asks if you could buy him a specific kind of candy bar. Across the street is a convenience store and in your pocket is a five dollar bill. This is an ox in a ditch. This act is not about engaging in business on the Sabbath. It is about healing on the Sabbath. This being the case, there may be times when it might be necessary to buy food on this day. But this should only take place in a genuine emergency where the alternative may be catastrophic.
Additionally, it is important to understand what an ox in a ditch is not. Poor planning is not an ox in a ditch. A messy home that is not ready for company is not an ox in a ditch. Running into old friends that you haven’t see in years is not an ox in a ditch. An ox in a ditch is something to regret, not something to anticipate – or even celebrate.
Furthermore, when Jesus gave the lesson of an ox in a ditch, it was in the context of healing, not dining. The principle is there to be sure, but it is not to be manipulated. To do so would be a HUGE mistake. Those who use Jesus’ teaching regarding an ox in a ditch to justify going to restaurants on the Sabbath should ask themselves, “is it really an emergency?” Or is it possible that you are just exploiting for your own benefit the compassion and mercy of the very Savior who made provisions for dealing with a real tragedy that may arise on God’s holy Sabbath?
A Final Thought
The Sabbath is a day with profound meaning. It was created by God as evidence that He has an incredible plan for mankind. That plan reflects a great wisdom and an infinite love for His children. God made the Sabbath so that His children could know Him and the hope of His Kingdom. The Sabbath pictures that Kingdom. And those who honor it honor what it pictures.
When God gave the command to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, He wasn’t simply instructing the children of Israel to be aware of when this day occurs. It is not simply a cognitive test of knowledge. The Sabbath is a test of faith. A test to see if His people will declare their loyalty to Him and His kingdom (Ex. 16:4).
Honoring God’s Sabbath is done by acting out that kingdom every week. In a very real sense, God’s Sabbath is His signature on a great moral code Jesus described in one word: LOVE. Honoring this day as God instructed is the profound responsibility of every true Christian. But there is more. To keep the Sabbath as God commands is also a great privilege. One that is known by so few. God’s people should see it as an honor bestowed upon them by none other than the King of Eternity.
Does it matter which day is kept as the Sabbath? YES! Because the Great God said it does. Does it matter how that day is kept? YES AGAIN! Because the Great God said it does.
Finally, does man have the authority to decide for himself how he will honor the day God sanctified? Think about that question very carefully the next time you pick up a menu on the Sabbath.
Appendix I
Seven Prohibitions
Every time one of God’s people goes to a restaurant on the Sabbath or holy day, he or she is transgressing numerous aspects of the fourth commandment. Consider what God specifically prohibited His people from doing on this day.
You shall not acquire food on the Sabbath.
God actually rebuked the Israelites when they attempted to engage in this practice. His exact words were, “How long refuse you to keep my commandments and my laws?” (Ex. 16:26-28) He uttered them after the Israelites went out to gather food (manna) on the Sabbath.
You shall not prepare food on the Sabbath.
God specifically instructed the Israelites to do their meal preparation on the sixth day (Ex. 16:23). Furthermore, at no time did He suggest that they could commission others to prepare it for them on the Sabbath. He actually indicated that the preparation day was given to “prove” the Israelites and to test their obedience (Ex. 16:4).
You shall not go outside your place on the Sabbath.
God revealed this specific aspect of His command because the Israelites went outside the camp to obtain food on the Sabbath (Ex. 16:29). Furthermore, God was furious with this practice and He made that fact abundantly clear.
At this point, it is interesting to note that the only way God’s people today can avail themselves of a restaurant on the Sabbath is to go outside of “their place.” They must literally go out into the world where God’s Sabbath is being profaned and avail themselves of this sin. Despite this fact, many believe God somehow condones this practice.
You shall not labor on the Sabbath.
God first addressed the issue of work on the Sabbath when He made the seventh day. At that time, the Great Creator of heaven and earth rested from His labor (Gen. 2:2-3). Later, when giving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, God made reference to this rest. Through the Sabbath commandment, God is declaring that our lives should be like His. Labor should not be a part of this day – directly or indirectly.
Additionally, God knew that there were only two broad sources of labor – the work you perform, and the work that is performed for you. The fourth commandment addresses both types. First, you shall not do any work on the Sabbath. That addresses your part. Secondly, no one who comes into your sphere of influence shall be compelled to labor on your behalf. This includes family, servants, strangers, and even livestock. That part addresses everybody else his people would come in contact with on the Sabbath. Everyone else on earth is outside the camp and God already forbid His people to go there (Ex. 16:29).
When God gave the fourth commandment, His intent was very clear: work profanes the day He consecrated – to engage in such a practice is to desecrate that which is sacred (Ex. 20:8-11).
You shall not direct a servant to labor on the Sabbath.
God’s plan for man is that he will ultimately be free from the tyranny of ignorance and sin. The Sabbath pictures that freedom. It is not by accident that when giving the fourth commandment, God reminded His people that they were once slaves in Egypt (Dt. 5:15). It is for this very reason that every Sabbath God’s people are to be liberators. In other words, they are to declare everyone they come in contact with FREE. Nowhere in the commandment does it remotely hint that God condones His people going back into “Egypt” to avail themselves of the very sin they were once a part of (Dt. 5:14-15). The Sabbath is about liberty, not slavery.
You shall not direct an unbeliever to work on the Sabbath.
Whether one is a believer or a skeptic, bond or free, rich or poor, young or old, God’s people are not to allow them to labor on their behalf on His day.
Those who are ignorant of God’s law may not understand why the faithful would be so considerate of them. But God’s people do understand. By releasing the unbeliever from labor on the Sabbath, they are acting out what their King will ultimately do when He returns to earth.
You shall not buy or sell on the Sabbath.
Throughout history, there has been an inextricable link between money and labor. Furthermore, God is very much aware of this link. For this reason, He inspired both Nehemiah’s words and his actions when dealing with the issue of buying and selling on the Sabbath.
If the Israelites during the days of Moses had honored God’s Sabbath as it was revealed to them, there would never have been a reason for buying and selling – and this would not have been an issue to Nehemiah or to God’s church today. Regrettably, that did not happen.
When Nehemiah commanded the Jews to refrain from buying and selling on the Sabbath, he was not introducing a new aspect to the fourth commandment. He was reminding God’s people of where this sin can lead – CAPTIVITY (Neh. 13:15-21). That one word should carry an enormous weight with God’s church today. The Great Law Giver was not bluffing when He indicted the nations of Israel and Judah for profaning the Sabbath. History bears out this painful truth.
Appendix II
Amending God’s Law
There are those who believe the scriptures can be somewhat misleading with respect to God’s instructions concerning proper Sabbath observance. These “believers” argue that God’s law must be understood in the context of the entire Bible. Although this is true, it also brings with it considerable risk. For example: many professing Christians manipulate the scriptures in an attempt to accommodate pre-conceived ideas about what God is saying in His word. As a result, man has concocted an endless array of beliefs. Sadly, this practice has even raised its ugly head within God’s church.
Nowhere is this fact more evident than in the church’s understanding of the fourth commandment – specifically the issue of going to restaurants on the Sabbath. Although the Bible clearly prohibits this practice, many of God’s people, including its leaders, believe it is permissible. They justify this practice by employing semantical arguments when applying God’s word in their lives. In essence, they re-write God’s law to accommodate their actions.
The following are seven examples of how the original command is modified in the minds of many in the church today. These modifications expand the commandment to accommodate the belief that God approves of going to restaurants on His Sabbath. And although those who engage in this practice may not literally desire to change the wording of the command, they most definitely alter its meaning by their behavior.
These modifications are intended to illustrate how radical certain beliefs are. This is done by expressing how they would look if God Himself actually stated them. As you read each example ask yourself if the amended command is really what God intended when He Gave the fourth commandment.
Example I: A Matter of Personal Labor
Original Command:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work... (Ex. 20:8-10).
Amended Command:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work. However, you may compel others to labor on your behalf provided they are not under your direct authority or responsibility.
Surprisingly, there are many in God’s church today who believe the fourth commandment is limited in scope. In other words, although it prohibits His people from engaging in labor, it does not prohibit them from orchestrating the labor of others for their benefit. As a result of this thinking, many contend that when God gave His law regarding the Sabbath, He intentionally made provisions for His people to be the beneficiary of the labor of others, under certain conditions. Furthermore, they contend that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is such an condition.
Although many may write the amended command differently with respect to style, those who go to restaurants on the Sabbath concur with the substance of this modified rendering of God’s law. The question is: do you? Ask yourself: do these words really sound like they express the wisdom of the Holy One of Israel? Was it God’s intent to simply shield His people from profaning the day He set apart? Or was He expressing a greater eternal truth about His Kingdom?
Today, all too many in God’s church advance an endless stream of technical arguments in an attempt to circumvent God’s law. But in the final analysis, God’s word is clear. When He told his people they were not to work on the Sabbath, He was declaring that labor profanes the day He made HOLY! Even God Himself ceased from His labor on this day. Does anyone sincerely believe He would avail Himself of the labor of someone else?
The point God was making when He uttered the fourth commandment was that Israel was not to be a party to profane work in any way, shape, or form on this day unless it specifically related to a Levitical duty (Mt. 12:1-5). Going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is not such a duty. It is a pleasure that God’s law prohibits.
Example II: A Matter of Children
Original Command:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son nor your daughter... (Ex. 20:8-10).
Amended Command:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son nor your daughter. However, you may compel others such as aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, nephews and nieces, as well as that guy you refer to as “Uncle Bob,” to labor on your behalf.
This amended command is intended to illustrate where semantical arguments can lead. Those who try to affix a very narrow interpretation of God’s commandments do so in order to broaden the path they wish to take. In other words, many conclude: “the Bible only mentions ‘my servants’, ‘my family,’ and ‘my livestock.’ It doesn’t mention those that belong to someone else. Therefore, I can do anything I wish with that which is not mine.”
At this point it, is important to understand that when God gave His Great Moral Code, it was to provide the Israelites with His perfect wisdom as well as His desire for all mankind. One only has to consider what the world will look like when Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to understand this truth. At that time, all will honor His law the way He intends. Where do you think dining out on the Sabbath will fit in that Kingdom?
The point is that God never intended for His people to look for loopholes in His commandments. Ultimately, when He dispenses His judgment, we will understand this truth. At that time, all will know that there are no loopholes.
Example III: The Treatment of Servants
Original Command:
Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant... (Dt. 5:12-14).
Amended Command:
Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant. However, you may compel someone else’s manservant or maidservant to labor on your behalf, provided they genuinely desire to work and are appropriately compensated for it.
Perhaps the most popular argument advanced by people attempting to justify going to restaurants on the Sabbath is that those working in the restaurant are not their servant – and the command only refers to “your servant.” Therefore, the amended command must be in keeping with God’s intent.
However, this thinking fails to understand God’s purpose for commanding the Israelites to free their servants from labor on the Sabbath. That purpose was powerfully conveyed by God when He gave the original command. The Great Law Giver told the Israelites, and He tells His people today, “You were once a servant in the land of Egypt” (Dt. 5:15).
The question God’s people today should ask themselves is: Would God want me to go back into spiritual Egypt and avail myself of the same bondage I was once in? The answer should be obvious.
Example IV: The Treatment of Animals
Original Command:
“Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your ass, nor any of your cattle (Dt. 5:12-14).
Amended Command:
“Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your ass, nor any of your cattle However, you may compel other beasts of burden such as camels, elephants, etc. to labor on your behalf provided they are not treated with cruelty. Furthermore, if you must use an ox or an ass, you may do so provided it does not belong to you. Therefore, you may procure it from an unbeliever in the same way you may procure the services of a manservant or maidservant.
It is doubtful that any true child of God would advance the argument that certain animals could be forced to labor on the Sabbath while other animals are exempt from labor. However, for those who believe it is appropriate to go to restaurants on the Sabbath, this amended command must ring true. After all, why would God extend more mercy to an animal than He would to a person created in His own image?
Example V: The Treatment of Strangers
Original Command:
“Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor you ass, nor any of your cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gates... (Dt. 5:12-14).
Amended Command:
“Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor you ass, nor any of your cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gates. However, you may compel the stranger that is outside your gate to labor on your behalf, provided he or she is not forced to labor against his or her will.”
Those who dine out on God’s Sabbath have argued that although the server at a restaurant is an unbeliever (“stranger”), God permits His people to avail themselves of his or her labor because the “stranger” in this case is not under the believer’s authority. In other words, the “stranger” is not “within the gates” of the believer. But is this really true? Does the believer possess no authority over the restaurant employee? This question can be answered with the following illustration: Imagine you are at a restaurant and the service is horrible. The meals are prepared incorrectly and the server in totally unresponsive to you and your guests. When you politely informed him of your concern over the level of service, he responds, “You can’t talk to me like that! I don’t work for you!” Would you honestly agree with his assessment?
The belief that restaurant employees are not under your authority is simply not true. But even if it was, does it make any difference to God? When it comes to the treatment of a “stranger” or brother on the Sabbath, God’s people are not to involve themselves in labor, directly or otherwise.
Perhaps the most important facet of God’s command with respect to the treatment of “strangers” is that God’s people were once “strangers” themselves. However, He delivered them out of the bondage of ignorance and sin into the liberty of His truth. It is a HUGE mistake to think that God would somehow permit His people to return to the world they were delivered from simply to benefit from its sin.
Statement VI: Buying and Selling
Original Command
And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we should not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day... (Neh. 10:31)
Amended Command
And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we should not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day. In other words, you are not to spend the entire day purchasing food or other necessities. However, you may spend abbreviated portions of the Sabbath to purchase provisions for you or your family as long as you remember to attend services and be with My people.
Some leaders in God’s church today contend that Nehemiah’s indictment of buying and selling on the Sabbath was limited to the scope of purchases being made. According to their reasoning, the Jews in Jerusalem were going into the open market for the entire day and purchasing provisions for their homes. These provisions would last for several days and even longer in many cases. This would be tantamount to buying several hundred dollars worth of groceries today as well as performing other errands. As a result, the entire day was spent in activities totally unrelated to the Sabbath. The assumption here is that it is acceptable with God if only an hour or two are spent in activities totally unrelated to the Sabbath.
These leaders argue that Nehemiah would never have addressed this issue if God’s people invested a more abbreviated period of time doing family errands or some other activity. Furthermore, they contend that sharing a meal with brethren at a restaurant does not distract God’s people from the Sabbath, it actually keeps them connected to this day.
However, this reasoning represents a massive leap in logic. Nowhere does Nehemiah mention the length of this activity (buying and selling) as an issue, but rather the activity itself. Notice that Nehemiah was not attempting to restrict this practice, he was attempting to eliminate it altogether. It is true that God’s people may have spent the entire day purchasing goods and services, but that ignores a bigger question: why were they there at all? Nehemiah’s remedy was designed to address the latter.
The big question God’s people should ask themselves is this: Why would God allow His people to procure ANY food on His Sabbath when He actually prohibited the children of Israel from doing such a thing when they wandered in the Sinai desert (Ex. 16:16-25)?
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