Argument X
The Preparation Week
Throughout his arguments in defense of dining out on the Sabbath, Mr. Richard George works tirelessly to prove that God didn't really mean what He originally said in the scriptures, or, at the very least He doesn't mean it anymore. Now, we realize that he would vehemently deny our characterization of his case, but the facts declare that this is standard operating procedure for him. One has but to read his prior "agruments" to see his persistent attempts to put a square Biblical peg in a round hole.
The latest episode of Mr. George's obfuscation of the Biblical record centers around the "preparation day." God originally introduced this concept to the children of Israel shortly after leading them out of bondage in Egypt. This profound lesson is recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Exodus. Here God explains that His Sabbath is not to be profaned by labor. To impress this upon them He declared that even food preparation on this day was an act of sacrilege. God then clearly revealed that His people were to use the sixth day to gather and prepare their Sabbath meals. Furthermore, even He would not labor on the Sabbath by providing manna. God also stated that His instructions stood as a test to prove whether they would "walk in His law" (Ex. 16:4). This alone should cause His entire church today to carefully consider the implication of this command.
In the book A Sabbath Test, the concept of the "preparation day" is examined with extraordinary spiritual insight and reveals a wonderful lesson for God's people today. Sadly, Mr. George rejected its wisdom and instead opted for an interpretation of the scriptures that allows him to do the very thing God prohibited when giving the command to ancient Israel in the first place.
How Does He Do It?
Mr. George argues that God so changed the circumstances involved in Sabbath observance that the original rules are no longer in effect. For example: He no longer rains down manna from heaven. Additionally, He now requires His people to travel great distances to attend services and because of that the Sabbath today is more like a pilgrimage feast and should be bound to its rules, not those pertaining to the weekly Sabbath reflected in the scriptures. Mr. George argued these points when questioning the appropriate application of the day of preparation.
To best understand Mr. George's opposition to A Sabbath Test's position regarding the preparation day, we think it is appropriate to provide the position offered by the book's authors. The following is taken directly from a chapter entitled "A Day of Preparation."
"A Day of Preparation"
A Sabbath Test
pp 41-46
The scriptures indicate that God was so opposed to His people engaging in profane labor on the Sabbath that He actually designated the sixth day as a period to prepare for this holy time. Even the Great Creator Himself prepared for His Sabbath. Notice what He did.
Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or not. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. (Ex. 16:4-5)
Here, God declares that he rained a double portion of manna on the sixth day with the express purpose of “proving” the Israelites. In other words, He did this to see if they were truly committed to obeying Him. If they were, they would gather enough food on Friday to satisfy their needs for both that day and the next. They would then cook all of it on the preparation day. Notice the instructions Moses gave to God’s people.
On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that today; for today is a Sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. (Ex. 16:22-27)
These verses reveal that God had to supernaturally intervene to provide a way for the Israelites to honor His Sabbath. In this case, He not only provided twice as much food on the preparation day, but He also miraculously preserved it so that it would not spoil.
The point to all of this is that God intended for His Sabbath to be treated differently. It was HOLY TIME. Furthermore, He would personally make sure His people had a way to keep it holy.
But what about the Israelites who failed to prepare adequately? What were they to do? Were they to go out and buy food from someone else on the Sabbath? Absolutely not! God did not give them an alternative food source when they failed to prepare on the sixth day. The scriptures state “they found none.”
Is there a lesson for God’s people today in the action He took so very long ago? It would certainly seem so. Based on His clear instructions to the children of Israel, perhaps we should ask ourselves a very important question: is it right for us to go outside our spiritual camp and buy from others on the Sabbath if we fail to adequately prepare for this day?
The Significance of the Preparation Day
Today almost all of God’s people understand the great significance of His Sabbath and holy days. These appointed times declare a great plan that was envisioned by Him before the world was created.
With this in mind, consider what God could be teaching His people with a preparation day. If the Sabbath pictures God’s kingdom (Heb. 4:9-10), could the sixth day reveal that His people must properly prepare themselves in order to enter into that kingdom? In other words, if we do not make ourselves ready for God’s millennial rest, will God allow us to be a part of it? Additionally, will we prepare for that kingdom by following His instructions, or do we think we can forge our own path and do it a different way? It is clear that some believe the latter because Jesus actually warned against such thinking. Notice His words:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. (Mt. 7:21-23)
When Jesus spoke of those who worked iniquity, He was referring to people who did not keep His law. A cornerstone of that law is His Sabbath. With this in mind, is it possible that Jesus’ warning could also apply to those who refuse to honor His instructions concerning the preparation day? After all, these instructions were given to ensure that God’s people could keep the Sabbath holy as He intended. Remember, He did it to “prove “ them (Ex. 16:4-5).
Now consider a sobering thought – could people in God’s church today ultimately be crying out “Lord, Lord” to Jesus Christ when His final judgment comes because they failed to obey the fourth commandment, including the appropriate preparation for it? Furthermore, does the convenience of dining out on the Sabbath actually make the preparation day somehow less meaningful to God’s people? After all, today there is no sense of urgency with respect to preparing food for the Sabbath. This is because it is so convenient to gather brethren and head off to a popular restaurant on this day.
Furthermore, if God’s people refuse to prepare for His Sabbath, why should He think they would prepare for His Kingdom? These are serious words and should not be taken lightly. Notice what God said to Israel because of their cavalier attitude regarding His Sabbath and how they prepared for it.
How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore He giveth you the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place. Let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. (Ex. 16:28)
Here, God is rebuking the children of Israel for their failure to honor His Sabbath. Specifically, He was condemning their lack of preparation. In essence, God was conveying to His people three critical elements concerning eating on the Sabbath. These elements were as follows.
1) Food was not to be acquired on the Sabbath
2) Food was not to be prepared on the Sabbath
3) His people were not to leave “their place” on the Sabbath.
Notice that God said, “let no man go out of his place” on the Sabbath. With these words, He did not mean that individuals could not leave their tent for any reason as evidenced by the fact that they left their tents when Moses assembled them on the Sabbath and holy days. Additionally, Jesus Himself dined at the homes of others on the Sabbath (Lk. 14:1-6).
The point God was making with these instructions was that the Israelites were not to leave the community where God’s people were camped. Furthermore, they had no need to do so. God had already provided food on the sixth day. Now consider this. If God prohibited the Israelites to go outside their camp to acquire food on the Sabbath, why would He permit that practice today? The answer is HE WOULDN’T!
In reality, those who dine out on the Sabbath are breaking every aspect of God’s command with respect to eating. Consider what they do. They acquire food on the Sabbath. They have it prepared for them on the Sabbath. And they go outside the community of faith to procure the food as well as to consume it. Tragically, many of God’s people rationalize every one of these practices. Even more tragic is the fate that awaits them if they fail to repent of this sin.
It is also important to understand that God’s instructions to Israel were given a thousand years before Nehemiah was even a twinkle in his father’s eye. Simply put, His people were not to go out into a world of unbelievers on the Sabbath. This command seems so obvious and is totally consistent with God’s character. The Sabbath is holy. This being the case, why would God’s people even want to be a part of a society that profanes this day?
Virtually every person working in a restaurant on the Sabbath is breaking God’s command. Furthermore, they trespass against this wonderful law every time they comply with orders given to them by their patrons, including God’s people. With this in mind, do you really want to give that order?
We at Blow the Trumpet totally concur with the assessment offered by A Sabbath Test. However, Mr. George sees it quite differently. Notice his counter argument.
Mr. George:
In your section on the Preparation Day, you confirmed that during the Exodus God instructed His people not to acquire food, prepare food, or leave home on the Sabbath. You fail to note that God Himself changed Sabbath circumstances and adapted His Sabbath instructions afterward.
Special Note from Blow the Trumpet
No such instructions exist.
This is a total fabrication.
Mr. George continued:
Same law, new applications. We still do prepare for the Sabbath; but the miracle manna and its double portion on Friday does not come today. Food preparation in Bible times was backbreaking work. Most significant, it is God Himself who has taken us outside of our homes and communities to distant Sabbath services today. To obey God's sabbath commandment, most believers must now travel a great distance from their homes, to where God has convened His people. God Himself has changed the circumstances of the Sabbath.
Today's weekly Sabbath is more like the ancient Holy Days, for which there were specific cooking and spending permissions, than like ancient Sabbaths kept at or near home. Should we not consider those rulings and Christ's example as governing how we should now apply the guidelines for which conditions have ceased to exist? Earning the money during the six work days for our Sabbath meal at the place outside our gates God commands us to assemble is preparation conforming to Christ's example and instruction, and thus a valid application of the principles.
Our Response:
Mr. George was quick to accuse the authors of A Sabbath Test of failing to note the changes in circumstances surrounding the Sabbath. For example manna was no longer being provided to the Israelites. Our response to this is SO WHAT! Is he suggesting that once God stopped raining manna down from heaven the Israelites could resume going out on the Sabbath and gather food? Is that one of the circumstances that now allows him to go back into spiritual Egypt and purchase the fruit of their Sabbath profaning labor? If not, what is his point?
The reason this change in circumstance was omitted in A Sabbath Test is because it doesn't alter the command one iota. When manna was no longer being provided to the Israelites, they were in the land of promise. They were no longer living a transient life wandering in the desert. They could now provide for themselves. Absolutely nothing in God's Sabbath law changed because of this.
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He also stated that cooking food in ancient times required "backbreaking work," implying that this is why they were not to prepare their food on the Sabbath. Is Mr. George suggesting that at some point in time cooking meals no longer became Sabbath breaking labor? Just out of curiosity, when did that take place? What invention changed it all in God's eyes?
Furthermore, is it his contention that chefs who work in restaurants do not engage in serious labor on God's Sabbath? And how does this prove that you may seek out unbelievers who desecrate God's Sabbath and purchase their labor for your benefit?
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Mr. George also mentions that God Himself has taken His people out of their homes and made them travel great distances, thus making the Sabbath today much like a pilgrimage feast in the days of ancient Israel. What he "failed to note" was that he travels in a modern vehicle on paved roads in comfort ancient Israelites could never dream of. What he "failed to note" was that his trip does not require several days or even weeks to make. What he "failed to note" was that it is not necessary for him to seek out lodging or set up camp where he and his family will live.
God designed His laws pertaining to His "High Days" because they literally took His people out of their homes and required them to make provisions for other housing. What Mr. George does every Sabbath doesn't come close to that. What he is suggesting is simply reinventing scripture in an attempt to justify his sin.
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When Mr. George mentions Christ's example he is referring to the fact that the Messiah dined at the homes of religious leaders on the Sabbath. This is what he means when he says that Jesus dined out on the Sabbath. What he fails to note is that He never once came close to dining out at a restaurant or inn on the Sabbath. Why? Because that would have required Him to seek out unbelievers who were desecrating His Sabbath and pay them for their sacrilege.
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Finally, Mr. George claims that by working six days a week he is preparing for the Sabbath by generating income he can spend at a place where God's holy day is being trampled on. It's like we said, a square spiritual peg in a round hole.
Argument XI