God’s Words on Stone (Continued) Exodus 20:7-11
3rd. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”
4th. “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work. But the seventh 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 3rd commandment taught Israel it was a sin to speak God’s name carelessly. Later, there was a young man in the camp who used God’s name in anger. Moses asked the Lord what to do, and the Lord said the young man should die (Leviticus 24:10-23). Many since have so sinned, and not, at the time, punished, but God still hears and accounts this sin (Matt. 12:36).
The 4th commandment taught the Israelites to rest the seventh day of the week (which was the same as Saturday to us), so they would remember God had freed them from the hard work of Egypt where they had no rest: It was a sign between God and Israel (Exo. 31:12-18). No one should even kindle a fire; if any did any work that person was to be put to death. (Exo. 35:2, 3, 21). Once a man gathered sticks on the Sabbath Day, and God said he should be put to death (Numbers 15:32-37). This shows how strict was God’s law.
This commandment is the only one not repeated in the New Testament. The people of Israel refused Christ, the Son of God, and God ended His agreement of the law with them. Christ was in the grave the seventh day, but arose the first day of the week (Sunday) and since, His followers give Him special honor on that day, and call it The Lord’s Day (Acts 20: 7; Rev. 1:10).
To be continued.
ML 05/09/1937