History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

appends to this rehearsal a powerful plea of
obligation on the part of the Hebrews to keep the
Sabbath. It should be remembered that many of the
people had steadily persisted in the violation of the
Sabbath, and that this is the last time that Moses
speaks in its behalf. Thus he says:--
"And remember that thou was a servant in the
land of Egypt, and that Lord thy God brought thee
out thence through a mighty hand and by a
stretched-out arm: therefore the Lord thy God
commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day."
These words are often cited as proof that the
Sabbath originated at the departure of Israel from
Egypt, and that it was ordained at that time as a
memorial of their deliverance from thence. But it
will be observed, 1. That this text says not one
word respecting the origin of the Sabbath or restday
of the Lord. 2. That the facts on this point are
all given in the original fourth commandment, and
are there referred to creation. 3. That there is no
reason to believe that God rested upon the seventh
day at the time of this flight from Egypt; nor did he
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