Before entering the promised land, the Israelites were admonished by Moses to "keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it." Deut. 5:12. The Lord designed that by a faithful observance of the Sabbath command, Israel should keep in mind their accountability to him as their Creator and their Redeemer. While they kept the Sabbath in the proper spirit, there could exist no idolatry. But should the claims of this precept be set aside as no longer binding, the Creator would be forgotten, and men would worship other gods.

Inden israelitterne drog ind i Det forjættede Land, formanede Moses dem til at tage “vare på hviledagen” og “holde den hellig.” 5 Mos. 5, 12. Det var Herrens hensigt, at Israel trofast skulle holde sabbatsbudet for til stadighed at blive mindet om deres ansvar over for ham som deres Skaber og Forløser. Så længe de holdt sabbatten i den rette ånd, ville afgudsdyrkelse være udelukket, men hvis denne forskrift blev tilsidesat og erklæret for ophævet, ville menneskene glemme Skaberen og dyrke andre guder.