13.04.2018 Views

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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

overthrow as a people. About fifty years after this,<br />

at <strong>the</strong> close <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reign <strong>of</strong> Ahaz, ano<strong>the</strong>r allusion<br />

to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong> is found. (2 Kings 16:18) In <strong>the</strong> days<br />

<strong>of</strong> Hezekiah, about B.C. 712, <strong>the</strong> prophet Isaiah<br />

uses <strong>the</strong> following language in enforcing <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Sabbath</strong>:--<br />

"Thus saith <strong>the</strong> Lord, Keep ye judgment <strong>and</strong> do<br />

justice; for my salvation is near to come, <strong>and</strong> my<br />

righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is <strong>the</strong> man<br />

that doeth this, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> man that layeth hold<br />

on it; that keepeth <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong> from polluting it,<br />

<strong>and</strong> keepeth his h<strong>and</strong> from doing any evil. Nei<strong>the</strong>r<br />

let <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stranger, that hath joined himself<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly<br />

separated me from his people; nei<strong>the</strong>r let <strong>the</strong><br />

eunuch say, Behold I am a dry tree. For thus saith<br />

<strong>the</strong> Lord unto <strong>the</strong> eunuchs that keep my <strong>Sabbath</strong>s,<br />

<strong>and</strong> choose <strong>the</strong> things that please me, <strong>and</strong> take hold<br />

<strong>of</strong> my covenant, even unto <strong>the</strong>m will I give in mine<br />

house <strong>and</strong> within my walls, a place <strong>and</strong> a name<br />

better than <strong>of</strong> sons <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> daughters; I will give<br />

<strong>the</strong>m an everlasting name that shall not be cut <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

Also <strong>the</strong> sons <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stranger, that join <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />

163

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!