Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.… I. The endeavour to displace the Fourth Commandment is AN OPEN INVASION OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES BOTH OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE. For everything conspires to cast an importance around the Ten Commandments peculiar to themselves. As the First command fixes the object of worship, and the Second the means, and the Third the reverential manner, so the Fourth determines the time. II. But we proceed to show, that even when the CEREMONIAL USAGES WERE IN THEIR GREATEST VIGOUR, THE SABBATH APPEARED HIGH AND DISTINCT ABOVE THEM. For first, after the record of the promulgation of the Decalogue, three chapters of judicial statutes follow; but in the midst of these, the people are reminded of the essential importance of the Sabbath, in a manner quite distinct and peculiar. Again, after six chapters more concerning the tabernacle and its various services and sacrifices, the whole communication of the forty days' abode on the mount is concluded with a re-inculcation of the Sabbathrest, in a manner the most solemn and affecting. III. But proceed we to show that, in the latter ages of the Jewish Church, the weekly Sabbath was insisted upon BY THE PROPHETS AS OF ESSENTIAL MORAL OBLIGATION, AND AS DESTINED TO FORM A PART OF THE GOSPEL DISPENSATION. IV. Let us then turn from these discussions to some PRACTICAL POINTS which may affect our hearts. 1. Let us learn to give to the holy day of rest that prominency in our esteem which Moses was instructed to give it in his dispensation. 2. And to this end, let us imbibe the spirit of love and delight in the worship of God, which the Psalms and Prophets display. 3. But add to these motives the awful indignation of Almighty God against the contempt of His name and His day. (D. Wilson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. |
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