2) The Sabbath in God's Law
The fourth commandment and the Sabbath as a memorial of creation
At the heart of the Ten Commandments is found the commandment of the Sabbath. It is the longest of all, beginning with the word “Remember” — as if God knew that humanity would be tempted to forget it.
The Fourth Commandment
With what word does the fourth commandment begin?
Show answer
Answer: 'Remember'
Exodus 20:8: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
“Remember” indicates that the Sabbath already existed before Sinai. God is not introducing something new, but calling Israel to remember what had already been established at creation.
What is the complete commandment about the Sabbath?
Show answer
Answer: To remember, sanctify, and rest on the seventh day because God created in six and rested on the seventh
Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 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."
The commandment includes three elements:
- Remember: Do not forget
- Sanctify: Treat as sacred
- Rest: Cease secular work
“The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only one that shows by whose authority the law is given.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 307, par. 2.
Which Day is the Sabbath?
Which day of the week is the biblical Sabbath?
Show answer
Answer: The seventh day (Saturday)
Exodus 20:10: "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:"
The commandment specifies “the seventh day,” not “a day in seven” or “any day.” God was specific because a specific day was blessed and sanctified at creation.
Can we know for certain which is the seventh day today?
Show answer
Answer: Yes, Jesus kept the same Sabbath that the Jews keep today
Luke 23:54-56: "And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment."
The biblical sequence shows the preparation day, the Sabbath, and the first day of the week as distinct. Jesus kept the Sabbath, and the women who followed Him rested on that same day according to the commandment.
The Memorial of Creation
Why should we keep the Sabbath, according to the commandment?
Show answer
Answer: Because in six days the Lord made the heavens and earth and rested on the seventh
Exodus 20:11: "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."
The Sabbath is a weekly memorial of creation. Every time we keep the Sabbath, we recognize that God is our Creator and that we depend on Him.
What does the Sabbath represent in our relationship with God?
Show answer
Answer: A sign between God and His people that He is the one who sanctifies them
Exodus 31:13: "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you."
The Sabbath is a “sign” between God and His people. Just as a marriage covenant symbolizes the commitment between spouses, the Sabbath symbolizes our relationship with the Creator.
The Central Position of the Sabbath
Where is the Sabbath commandment located within the Ten Commandments?
Show answer
Answer: In the center (the fourth commandment)
Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 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."
The Sabbath is at the heart of God’s law. It serves as the “seal” of the law, identifying who is the Lawgiver (the Lord your God), His territory (heavens and earth), and His authority (Creator).
What special identification appears in the fourth commandment?
Show answer
Answer: The Lawgiver's name, His authority as Creator, and His dominion over heaven, earth, and sea
Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 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."
The Sabbath and Grace
Does keeping the Sabbath mean we are saved by works?
Show answer
Answer: No, we are saved by grace; obedience is the fruit of love, not the means of salvation
Ephesians 2:8-10: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
We do not keep the Sabbath to be saved — we keep it because we are already saved! Obedience is a response of love, not an attempt to earn salvation. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” ().
And Now?
The fourth commandment teaches us:
- God is specific: He did not say “a day,” but “the seventh day”
- The Sabbath is a memorial of creation: It reminds us of our origin
- It is the seal of the law: It identifies the divine Lawgiver
- It is kept by love: Not as a meritorious work, but as a response to grace
The question is not “does the Sabbath still matter?”, but “why would we abandon what God established at the beginning and placed at the heart of His law?”
My Decision
I recognize that the Sabbath of the seventh day is at the heart of God’s Ten Commandments. It is a memorial of creation and a sign of the relationship between God and His people. I desire to honor this commandment out of love for God, not as an attempt to earn salvation.