The Fourth Commandment
Bible Facts Newspaper Article (Ian C. Kurylyk)

“Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

God commanded Israel for one day in seven to be set apart for Him in a special way. The challenge to the Bible student to be discerning about the things that are different between the Old Testament program of God and the New Testament is of great importance in the study of this fourth commandment.

We insist as Bible believers that we are not directly under Sabbath day obligations and restrictions given to Israel in the Old Testament. The apostle Paul wrote, “Let no man judge you ... of the sabbath days” (Colossians 2:16). The specifics of Sabbath day worship were suited to the nation of Israel and her calling to be a witness of the true God to the other nations who worshipped idols. The principle, however, of setting apart one day of the week especially for God is reflected in Lord’s Day worship by Christians.

The verses following Exodus 20:8 help us understand why Israel observed the Sabbath day. “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:9-11). Israel’s Sabbath observance was a continuing testimony to the first Sabbath when God rested from creation. They were professing that they served the one true Creator God. People of faith still acknowledge the Biblical account of creation recorded in Genesis.

The importance of this commandment as one of the Ten for Israel is obvious. It is an acknowledgment of God’s rights as Creator, and therefore also the authority of His laws given to them. Denial of creation truth under some theory such as Darwinian evolution always worsens human behaviour since the sense of obligation to God is weakened and people tend to forget there is a day of accounting to God. It is interesting to note that in fact Darwin was not originating many aspects of evolutionary thought but restating concepts found in ancient pagan thinking.

But Sabbath day observances involved far more than just restrictions. The Sabbath was central to their worship life as a nation, and the time when they would observe many Mosaic ordinances. “Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30). On this day they would gather for public worship. “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings” (Leviticus 23:3). So keeping the Sabbath meant an assembly (a “convocation”) to publicly exercise themselves in affirming their knowledge of the true God made known to them by the Mosaic revelation in acts of worship.

There is a lesson in all this for us in the New Testament age of God’s program through His church. Israel was one chosen nation set apart unto God. Today God is calling a people in a worldwide program “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9c). He is calling to all by the Good News of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose again. He is calling individuals to believe and become His people.

God’s plan is for those who are believers in Jesus Christ also to take part in a program where Christians assemble together for fellowship and to affirm their belief in the God of the Bible. This is what the original plan for the church was. The word “church” (“ecclesia” in the Greek language) means a “called out assembly”.

So the fourth commandment reminds of God’s call on man today. He wants people to receive His Son by personal faith to become a true worshipper of Him. This worship He is looking for includes a definite public corporate aspect. God’s plan for His children includes a place for each believer in a Bible believing local church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25)