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I. ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT INSTITUTIONS HAD A SPECIAL FOUNDATION.

1. Those which have a foundation in the common necessities of man and the common relation of men to God. These were not peculiar to the Jews, but were incorporated into their system because they were men. To this class belong all moral precepts and the Sabbath.

2. Those which had respect to the peculiar circumstances of the Jews; such as distinction between clean and unclean meats, circumcision, etc. These bound the Jews as Jews and them only.

3. Those which were designed to be typical of the Messiah, His work and Kingdom. These were mostly incorporations of prior institutions with the Mosiac law.

II. THAT THE SABBATH BELONGS TO THE CLASS OF UNIVERSAL LAWS, binding all men and ages is evident.

1. Because it was instituted before the Law.

2. Because the ground of its observances was a general ground, one in which all nations were concerned.

3. Because it was predicted that it would be observed under the reign of the Messiah.

4. Because its observance has been, in fact, continued as a Divine injunction by the whole Christian Church.

5. It is incorporated in the decalogue.

III. REASONS FOR THE INSTITUTION.

1. Special.

(1) The reason why the seventh day was appointed was to commemorate the work of creation. This is the foundation of all religion, and it is of universal importance that it should be remembered.

(2) The special reason for the observance of the first day was the commemoration of the Resurrection, on which rested the truth of the gospel. If Christ rose then the gospel is true. If the world was created then there is a personal God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of the universe.

2. Reasons why one day in seven should be observed.

(1) The necessity of rest for man and beast, for mind and body.

(2) To afford time for public worship.

(a) This is essential for the preservation and diffusion of truth; without it the people would sink into ignorance.

(b) It is necessary as a means of conversion, as it is by the preaching of the gospel that men are saved.

(c) As a means of edification when attendance is not possible. A Sabbath-neglecting people are notoriously irreligious.

(d) As the only opportunity of rendering God that public worship which is the duty of every community as such, as well as of every individual.

(3) To arrest the tide of worldliness; to cause men to stop and remember that this world is not all nor greatest. Without this we should not be aware of our progress toward eternity.

IV. THE MODE OF OBSERVANCE IS DETERMINED BY THE OBJECT OF THE DAY.

1. It includes rest from all worldly avocations and amusements.

2. The cultivation of a religious spirit and the discharge of religious duties. The Pharisaic mode is one extreme, the latitudinarian is another. The latter is the tendency now.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

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KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.