Note.—The Sabbath of Jehovah is not now, by the majority even of professed Christians, called holy and honorable. By many it is stigmatized as “Jewish.” The Lord foresaw how this would be in this age, and inspired the prophet to write as he did. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath.” This is a strong expression, indicating that many would be trampling upon God's day, and doing their own pleasure upon it, instead of seeking God, and honoring Him by keeping the Sabbath holy.
13. What will those be called who engage in this reformation?
“And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Verse 12.
14. What does another prophet say professed teachers among God's people have done?
“Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane; neither have they shown difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” Eze. 22:26.
15. What have they done to maintain their theories?
“And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, [pg 466] seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken.” Verse 28.
Notes.—Untempered mortar is that which is improperly worked, and will not therefore hold together or stand the test. Thus it is with the reasons advanced for keeping Sunday instead of the Bible Sabbath, the seventh day. They are not only unsound and untenable in themselves, but are utterly inconsistent, contradictory, and destructive one of the other, among themselves. They are like the witnesses employed by the Jewish leaders to condemn Christ. Of these the record says: “The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together.” Mark 14:55, 56. The lack of agreement among them was evidence in itself of the falsity of their testimony. In nothing, perhaps, is a lack of agreement better illustrated than in the reasons assigned for Sunday-keeping. Note the following:—
One says the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week.
Another says that the Sabbath commandment requires only one day of rest after six of labor, and hence there has been no change.