10. What does the psalmist say was the reason why God brought His people out of Egypt, and placed them in Canaan?
“And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness: and gave them the lands of the heathen: ... that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws.” Ps. 105:43-45.
Note.—Their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was a reason for the keeping not only of the fourth commandment, but of every precept of God's law. This is indicated by the preface or preamble to the law as given on Sinai: “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,” etc. Ex. 20:2, 3. See also Lev. 19:35-37; Deut. 10:19; 15:12-15; 24:17, 18. Likewise, every one who, through Christ, has been delivered from the bondage of sin, God calls to obedience, not only in the matter of Sabbath-keeping, but to every precept of His holy law. “Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” Isa. 56:2.
11. What is the meaning of the word sabbath?
Rest.
Note.—Previous to the fall, God designed that man's time should be occupied with pleasant, invigorating, but not wearisome labor. Gen. 2:15. Laborious, wearisome toil came in consequence of sin. Gen. 3:17-19. While under the fall the Sabbath, therefore, may bring physical rest to both man and the beasts of burden (Ex. 23:12) in a way not originally intended, physical rest was not its original and primary design or purpose. Cessation from the ordinary labors and occupations of the [pg 424] week was ordained, not because these are wrong or sinful in themselves, but that man might have an appointed time and a frequently recurring period for the contemplation of the Creator and His works. Under the gospel, the Sabbath is a sign of spiritual rest and freedom from sin. So we read, “For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” Heb. 4:10.
12. Who gives this rest from sin?
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:28, 29.
Note.—The Sabbath, then, is the sign of the soul-rest which Christ gives to the weary and ladened with sin.
13. Was the Sabbath intended as a day for public worship?