Let’s start with a few quotes which will set the stage to reveal in what manner we should regard the Sabbath. The bolded parts focuses in on the part most relevant to this topic, but keep in mind that the whole quote, and even adjacent paragraphs are often very much relevant to the topic. So feel free to read “the bolded parts only” in order to get the overview of the topic, but keep in mind that surface reading is never sufficient to learn the full truth in every matter. It is only by digging deep and knowing everything can we be safe from the delusions of the last days. After reading this topic it can very well be wise to go back over the quotes and read the adjacent paragraphs in the original text.
While some have been urging their man-made tests upon the people, the claims of the fourth commandment have been held very lightly. We knew that the blessing of God could not rest upon this church until there was a reformation upon this important point. Those who stand in responsible positions should be careful that their words and example are such as will lead the people to correct views and practices. They should be sure that in no way they belittle the requirements of God. Because the fourth commandment is so widely disregarded, we should be the more earnest and decided in seeking to honor this precept of God’s holy law. The third angel’s message is that which we are to present to the world. Here God has a test for us, and if we come up to the standard, we shall be a peculiar people. Whoever obeys the fourth commandment will find that a separating line is drawn between him and the world. The Sabbath is a test, not a human requirement, but God’s test. It is that which will distinguish between those who serve God and those who serve him not; and upon this point will come the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. {HS 215.2}
Notice that Sister White says that the Sabbath is God’s test to “distinguish between those who serve God and those who serve him not.” It’s God’s litmus test. Can you pass the test? This previous paragraph came from a subtitle in a book which Sister White wrote entirely by herself. You should read the entire subtitled, “Importance of the Sabbath,” so you can see what she said will happen to those who fail the test. Pay special attention to the quote that comes from paragraph 1 of page 217.
Far more sacredness is attached to the Sabbath
“Far more sacredness is attached to the Sabbath than is given it by many professed Sabbathkeepers. The Lord has been greatly dishonored by those who have not kept the Sabbath according to the commandment, either in the letter or in the spirit. He calls for a reform in the observance of the Sabbath. {CCh 263.6}
Sunday is generally made a day of feasting and pleasure-seeking
Sunday is generally made a day of feasting and pleasure-seeking; but the Lord would have his people give the world a higher, holier example. Upon the Sabbath there should be a solemn dedication of the family to God. The commandment includes all within our gates; all the inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business, and employ the sacred hours in devotion. Let all unite to honor God by cheerful service upon his holy day. {HS 218.2}
This quote reveals that Sunday keeping is generally made a day of feasting and pleasure-seeking. Actually feasting, of itself, is pleasure-seeking. In contrast, sister White tells us that the Lord would have us give a higher, holier example. In other words feasting is not a higher, holier example. It’s a lower and unholy example. It is pleasure seeking. This is not what God has called us to do.
Isaiah 58:13-14
13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
In Warm Weather Heating Our Food is Unnecessary
The Lord gave the children of Israel explicit instructions prohibiting unnecessary labor upon the Sabbath. “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord. Bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that which ye will seethe.” Carelessness in the observance of the Sabbath has crept in among us as a people. Many have sought to please themselves rather than to honor God. If we would enjoy the blessing of the Lord, the Sabbath-day must be kept holy. All cooking should be done on Friday. On the camp-ground, when the mornings are cool, hot water or hot gruel should be provided. In winter, at our homes, the food previously cooked should be warmed before it is eaten. In warm weather this is unnecessary. Divine mercy has directed that the sick and suffering should be cared for; the labor required to do this is a work of necessity, and no violation of the Sabbath — Signs of the Times, May 25, 1882.
In the quote directly above Sister White reveals to us that the Lord gave explicit instructions prohibiting any form of unnecessary labor on the Sabbath day. The Jews did not find it necessary to reheat their mana on the Sabbath, and there are many foods that we can, and do, eat cold on a regular basis. Then she clearly instructs us that heating our food on the Sabbath day is unnecessary during warm weather. In subsequent quotes, Sister White reveals that it is acceptable to heat food in cold weather conditions, but by the end of this article the reader should be able to recognize that the intention of the law, or “Spirit of the Law,” is that we should avoid even heating food on the Sabbath whenever possible or whenever unnecessary.
Eating Cold Food is Not an Inconveniece
1.) I see no question in this matter as to what we shall have on the Sabbath day. 2.) The food which we have provided on the preparation day can be placed on the table warm, especially in cold weather. 3.) In traveling, persons eat cold lunches for days together, and realize no inconvenience or harm. 4.) We want palatable, healthful food every day of the week; but upon the Sabbath, let your cook have her day of rest, in the place of cooking for a family. 5.) Let every provision be made on Friday. 6.) But do not let the Sabbath be regarded as a day in which to get something especially gratifying to eat. 7.) Educate your children and every member of the family to enjoy plain, simple food, and to be ready to receive the blessing which the Lord of the Sabbath is waiting to bestow upon all who are in an attitude to receive it. 8,) He has this for every one who shows his love for God in keeping holy the Sabbath day, God’s great memorial of creation. 9.) Speak softly, walk softly. 10.) Let not a word of lightness or trifling come from your lips. 11.) This is God’s day. 12.) He has blessed the seventh day, as his Sabbath, to be sacredly observed — Review & Herald, June 8, 1897.
I have numbered the sentences in the previous quote so that the reader will find it easy to pick out the sentence I am referring to in my comments. In sentence three it says that while traveling people eat cold lunches for days and realize no inconvenience. Surely she is suggesting that it is no inconvenience for us to eat cold food, nor is it necessary for us to heat food, on the Sabbath day, except that, as we have already seen in a previous quote above, in cold weather it is allowable. In the very next sentence (4) she says “but on the Sabbath, let your cook have her day of rest.” Pay special attention to the next two sentences five and six. The sixth sentence especially reaffirms Isaiah 58:13-14 (above).
Finally let’s look at sentence eight. This sentence shows that the motive for this behavior must be love. Many people in the church like to say that people who want to elevate the standard of the Sabbath are overly strict and Pharisaical, but this is a mischaracterization. We keep God’s Holy Sabbath because we love Him and His Precious and Holy Son Jesus the Christ who said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” For those who truly love Jesus it is not a matter of being strict or Pharisaical, but that they can never do enough to express their love for Him and deep appreciation for what He has done for them in the way that He has instructed us to love Him which is to keep His commandments.
Other than Cold Weather Heating, All Cooking is a Violation of the Sabbath law
All needful preparation should be made beforehand. On Sabbath morning, if the weather is cool, let hot gruel, or something equally simple, be provided, and for dinner some kind of food may be warmed. Further than this, all cooking should be avoided as a violation of the Sabbath command — Gospel of Health, April 1, 1898).
Notice that Sister White says, “Further than this, all cooking” Further than what is she talking about? She’s talking about what she says in the first sentence which is heating up gruel, or something equally simple, and for dinner some kind of food may be warmed if the weather is cool. So when she says, “Further than this, all cooking,” indicates that she is calling the things she is describing in the first sentence to be cooking. So all cooking further than heating gruel, or something equally simple, and for dinner some kind of food may be warmed if the weather is cool would be a violation of the Sabbath law. In other words Sister White is saying that heating up our food is cooking and unless you are in cool weather conditions it is a violation of the law.
God Meant What He Said in Home and at Camp
The Sabbath should be as sacredly observed on the camp-ground as it is in our homes. We should not let the bustle and excitement around us detract from its sacred dignity. No cooking should be done on that day. The instruction which God gave to Israel should not be disregarded: “Bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe;” for “tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord.” Ex. 16:23. God meant what he said when he gave these directions; and shall we, who are presenting to the people the claims of the divine law, break that law ourselves, merely to please the appetite? — God forbid. There has sometimes been almost as much cooking done on the Sabbath as on other days; and the blessing of God has been shut out by our failure to honor him in keeping the Sabbath according to the commandment. {13MR 293.3}
The quote above reveals that the Holy Sabbath is to be no less sacredly observed on the camp-ground than in our homes. Of even greater significance is the statement that asks how can we who claim to be presenting the claims of the divine law, break the law ourselves, merely to please the appetite? Finally pointing out the many blessings that have been shut out from God’s people due to the lack of Sabbath sacredness.
Speak Not Lightly of Sabbath Cooking Restrictions
Speak not lightly of the restrictions placed upon Israel in Sinai regarding the cooking of manna. The Lord has placed barriers around his Sabbath, that it may not be regarded with the least carelessness or irreverence. When the Lord said, “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe,” he meant that Friday should be our preparation day, in which we are to do all our cooking. The Sabbath is not to be a day when titbits shall be prepared or cooked. If it is really essential to have beans on the Sabbath, let them be cooked on Friday, and kept warm in the oven. They need not be eaten cold unless preferred. But let no remarks be made as though it were a very light thing whether or not we regard the special requirements of God in regard to the Sabbath. It is not left for any man or woman to venture to disregard one requirement of God. {RH June 8, 1897, par. 3}