Frequently Asked Questions
"Why Cause the Division?"
Questions
In the book A Sabbath Test, it is acknowledged that the issue of dining out on the Sabbath “has been at the center of controversy” in the Church. Why does it have to be that way? Isn’t UNITY in the Church more important than whether or not one wishes to go out to a restaurant once in awhile on the Sabbath? Doesn’t this debate cause more harm than help? Would Jesus actually approve of this?
Our Response:
These are very good questions and we at Blow the Trumpet are honored to address them. First with regards to UNITY: The scriptures make it clear that God loves unity (Psa. 133). It is something that will define His Kingdom when He restores it to earth. At that time God’s law will be a great unifying force. Today however, this is not the case—which brings us to the Church and its role as a unifier. Consider that role in the context of the following question:
Would it be appropriate for the Church to permit people to profane the Sabbath in order to preserve unity?
The answer to this question is obvious. Virtually, all of God’s people would rightfully say, “NO!” The problem is that many of them today (including their leaders) don’t regard dining out on the Sabbath as a violation of the fourth commandment and an egregious SIN. Thus they argue, why fight over it? However, that wasn’t always the case. There was a time when this issue exploded before God’s people. It was presented by one courageous, blunt speaking man.
The great servant of God, Nehemiah, saw buying and selling as a clear breach of the fourth commandment. Furthermore, he made a direct link between that sin and CAPTIVITY. When Nehemiah contended with the nobles of Judah over engaging in commerce, as either the provider of goods or the consumer of them, he did not qualify his words. His warning was clear and direct and to suggest otherwise is a distortion of scripture. Nehemiah was so passionate regarding his opposition to engaging in commerce on the Sabbath that he actually threatened to use physical force against those who defied his word (Neh.13: 15-21).
At this point, it is important to understand that there were numerous options available to this servant of God. For example, he could easily have reasoned: “these people are going to sell their wares regardless of what we do. Therefore, what difference does it make?” Or, he could have said, “We are not causing them to work. They would be working anyway.” Nehemiah could also have looked to his predecessors for the answer. He could have thought, “Other respected men of the past have purchased foodstuffs on the Sabbath, why should I pass judgment in such a thing? After all, it will only stir up contention and even cause possible division among God’s people.”
Each of these responses was available to this great leader so very long ago. Furthermore, they remain so to the leaders in God’s church today. Sadly however, many ministers in this era of the Church seem content to take a different path than that taken by Nehemiah. They balk when confronting this issue. Many reason that it just isn’t worth the risk.
However, the faithful and uncompromising Nehemiah did not hesitate when addressing what he saw was an unspeakable evil. And make no mistake about it, that is exactly how he viewed buying or selling on the Sabbath. To him this practice represented a mortal threat to God’s people. Furthermore, he realized that the very future of his nation hung in the balance on this issue. Therefore, He took immediate action. Notice what he did.
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said unto them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? Yet you bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day. (Neh. 13:17- 19)
With these words, Nehemiah was warning Judah that they were in captivity in no small part because they had profaned the Sabbath. Specifically, they were buying and selling on this day.
God’s servant was so concerned over this sin that he took what could only be regarded as radical measures. He expelled the street vendors from the city. Furthermore, when they returned the following Sabbath, Nehemiah was furious. He actually threatened them with physical force if they dared to return to sell their products on God’s day.
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge you about the wall? If you do so again I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came no more on the Sabbath. (Neh. 13:20)
The example of Nehemiah’s uncompromising love of God’s law is a great lesson for all Christians everywhere. This champion of faith boldly confronted those who were complicit in causing God’s people to profane His Sabbath. His remedy was forceful and reflected God’s thinking about engaging in commerce on the day He made HOLY. Furthermore, God not only abhorred this practice then, but His opinion on the subject has not changed to this very day.
Today it would be impossible to do what Nehimiah did during Judah’s captivity. God’s people do not have that kind of power or influence. Therefore, they couldn’t possibly lock up restaurants to prevent believers from buying food on the Sabbath. However, God’s people can do something else. They can lock the vendors out of their lives on God’s day. Regrettably, many, including their leaders, don’t.
Is this debate divisive? It may be. But it wont be the first time righteous positions have divided God’s people. And that is what this is—A RIGHTEOUS POSITION—one driven by a genuine LOVE for God and His law. Jesus once warned that following Him would be a shortcut to accusation and condemnation. He even promised that the division caused by following Him would be so great that it would even touch families (Mt. 10:16-42).
Do we like this fact? NO! Do we want to cause division? NO! Do we accept it as a reality in the Church today? Regrettably, yes.
Respectfully,
Blow the Trumpet
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