Foreword:
The following exerpt is taken from The Ten
Commandments by Arthur W. Pink
(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)
In this blog series I will work through this very
important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style
questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I
pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of
scripture …
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT PART III
… this statute was given a place not in the ceremonial law
of Israel, which was to be done away when Christ fulfilled its types, but in
the Moral Law, which was written by the finger of God Himself upon tables of
stone, to signify to us its permanent nature. Finally, it should be pointed out
that the very terms of this Commandment make it unmistakably plain that it was
not designed only for the Jews, for it was equally binding upon any Gentiles
who dwelt among them. Even though they were not in covenant with God, nor under
the ceremonial law, yet they were required to keep the Sabbath holy--"thou
shalt not do any work ... nor thy stranger that is within thy gates" (v.
IO)! "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God". Note well
it is not said (here, or anywhere in Scripture) "the seventh day of the
week," but simply "the seventh day," that is, the day following
the six of work. With the Jews it was the seventh day of the week, namely,
Saturday, but for us it is--as the "another day" of Heb. 4:8 plainly
intimates--the first day of the week, because the Sabbath not only commemorates
the work of creation, but it now also celebrates the yet greater work of
redemption. Thus, the Lord so worded the fourth Commandment as to suit both the
Jewish and the Christian dispensations, and thereby intimated its perpetuity.
The Christian Sabbath is from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday: it is clear
from John 20:1 that it began before sunrise, and therefore we may conclude it
starts at Saturday midnight; while from John 20:19 we learn (from the fact it
is not there called "the evening of the second day") that it
continues throughout the evening, and that our worship is also to continue
therein.
But though the Christian Sabbath does not commence till
midnight on Saturday, yet our preparation for it must begin sooner, or how else
can we obey its express requirement, "in it thou shalt not do any
work"? On the Sabbath there is to be a complete resting the whole day, not
only from natural recreations and doing our own pleasure (Isa. 58: 13), but
from all worldly employment. The wife needs a day of rest just as much as her
husband, yea, being the "weaker vessel," more so. Such things as
porridge and soup can be prepared on the Saturday and heated on the Sabbath, so
that we may be entirely free to delight ourselves in the Lord and give
ourselves completely to His worship and service. Let us also see to it that we
do not work or sit up so late on the Saturday night that we encroach on the
Lord's day by staying late in bed or making ourselves drowsy for its holy
duties.
1) Can you explain the essential differences between the
ceremonial law of Israel and the Moral Law. Why is knowing the difference
important to how we understand and apply scripture?
2) In your own words explain why it is not vital to worship
and have a day of rest on Saturday as some religious groups insist as opposed
to Sunday. If you encounter an insistent Sabbatarian how will you develop
a scriptural argument to defend worship and rest on Sunday.
3) Do you agree with Pink’s assessment that Christian
Sabbath is from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday? If not what is your view
of its duration?
4) How do you view the ban of work on Sunday (from natural
recreations, doing our own pleasure and all worldly employment)? Is Pink being
too strong here? What is more important – worship or rest? Or consider this –
sometimes it is hard work to not work – some people find rest in certain works. How can we be consistent and honour the Lord best?
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