When the Lord delivered His people Israel from Egypt and committed to them His law, He taught them that by the observance of the Sabbath they were to be distinguished from idolaters. It was this that made the distinction between those who acknowledge the sovereignty of God and those who refuse to accept Him as their Creator and King. “It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever,” the Lord said. “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.” Exodus 31:17, 16. {6T 349.2}

Da Herren udfriede sit folk Israel fra Ægypten og gav dem sin lov, lærte han dem, at de netop ved at holde sabbatten skulle kunne skelnes fra afgudsdyrkerne. Det var dette, som dannede forskellen mellem dem, der anerkendte Guds overhøjhed og dem, der nægtede at anerkende ham som deres Skaber og Konge. »Den skal være et tegn til alle tider mellem mig og israelitterne,« sagde Herren, »Israelitterne skal holde sabbatten, så at de fejrer sabbatten fra slægt. til slægt som en evig gyldig pagt.« 2.Mos. 31,17-16.