Part VI

    T he following is the sixth of nine arguments advanced by David C. Pack of the Restored Church of God when refuting A Sabbath Test. Each argument is responded to by Blow the Trumpet.

Argument VI:

They are NOT Sinning

    In his essay, Mr. Pack suggests that those who serve God’s people in a restaurant on the Sabbath aren’t held responsible for their actions. He does this by challenging A Sabbath Test’s view of a stranger within your gates.

At this point, they proceed to make analogies between the “strangers” in the days of Moses and the “strangers” who work in restaurants today. At first glance, their position appears to be plausible. Nonetheless, we need to understand how God viewed the strangers or foreigners of Moses’ day. To what extent did He hold them accountable for His laws?

 

If dining out on the Sabbath causes employees to sin, then we must conclude that God contributed to the sin of foreigners when He decreed that animals that die of themselves should be given or even sold to “strangers” among the Israelites! Notice: “You shall not eat of any thing that dies of itself: you shall give it unto the stranger that is in your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it unto an alien: for you are a holy people unto the Lord your God…” (Deut. 14:21).

Our Response:   

    Consider Mr. Pack’s stream of logic. According to him, because an Israelite was permitted sell a gentile food which was unlawful for them (Israelites) to eat, God would somehow permit these same Israelites to go outside the camp on the Sabbath and purchase a meal from these unbelievers, just as Mr. Pack does today. Does anybody really believe this? Here is a clue: Once again consider what God specifically commanded these same Israelites to do regarding food on the Sabbath.

You shall not acquire food on the Sabbath.

 

God actually rebuked the Israelites when they attempted to engage in this practice. His exact words were, “How long refuse you to keep my commandments and my laws?” (Ex. 16:26-28). He uttered them after the Israelites went out to gather food (manna) on the Sabbath.

 

You shall not prepare food on the Sabbath.

God specifically instructed the Israelites to do their meal preparation on the sixth day (Ex. 16:23). Furthermore, at no time did He suggest that they could commission others to prepare it for them on the Sabbath. He actually indicated that the preparation day was given to “prove” the Israelites and to test their obedience (Ex. 16:4).

You shall not go outside your place on the Sabbath.

 

God revealed this specific aspect of His command because the Israelites went outside the camp to obtain food on the Sabbath (Ex. 16:29). Furthermore, God was furious with this practice and He made that fact abundantly clear. (A Sabbath Test p. 123)

    Mr. Pack may see Deuteronomy 14:21 as proof that God would have permitted the Israelites to go out of the camp and purchase a Sabbath day’s meal, but Exodus 16 clearly contradicts his conclusion.

Argument VII
Nehemiah Would Have Bought It

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