The book of Genesis indicates that when God created the Sabbath on the seventh day, He rested from his labor (Gen. 2:2). He did not do this because He was tired (Isa. 40:28), but rather because of the profound purpose He envisioned for this holy time. The Sabbath stands as proof that God has a spiritual plan for mankind. To impress this upon His people, He also commanded them to cease from their labor on this day. Notice what He said when giving the fourth commandment:

But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. (Ex. 20:10)

    When God gave this command, He was very specific. His prohibition against laboring on His Sabbath included everyone under the authority of the master of the house, including animals. The point here is that God wanted everyone to cease from their labor just as He had ceased from His. Consider the scope of this command: servants were not to work, children were not to work. Even the stranger (non-believer) under the authority of an Israelite was to cease from labor on God’s Sabbath. Clearly this command was far reaching in scope. It touched everyone His people would come in contact with.
    This hardly looks like an appropriate place to look for a technicality that would somehow enable a child of the True God to have his own way on this day. For example: imagine two Israelites deciding to swap servants on the Sabbath, then compelling the borrowed servant to work. After all, both Israelites could argue that the command was not broken because the servant working on their behalf was technically not THEIR servant. Furthermore, although their real servant was working for someone else, each man could argue that he, the servant’s true master, did not direct the labor. Someone else was responsible for that. Therefore, each Israelite master could argue that He was obeying God’s command.
    Or perhaps one of them could argue that the command only prohibited the labor of servants, strangers, and children, but did not mention wives. Therefore, he could compel his spouse to work every Sabbath and still be right with God. Come to think of it, the command only mentions the ox and the ass, as well as cattle not working (Dt. 5:14) but says nothing about any other animals. Therefore, it must be permissible to compel them to labor on the Sabbath and the holy days if the master so desired.
    If this scenario seems a little far fetched, think again. In reality it is very similar to one advanced by many people in God’s Church today in defense of going to a restaurant on the Sabbath. These “Sabbath-keeping” patrons often reason that restaurant employees who labor to prepare and serve meals on this day are not THEIR servants, but rather are the man-servant or maid-servant of the restaurant owner. Therefore, in a technical sense it would not be violating the fourth commandment to compel these people to work because the command only refers to “YOUR manservant,” not one that belongs to someone else.
    Additionally, the command specifically mentions “the stranger WITHIN your gates” but says nothing about the stranger OUTSIDE your gates. Once again, God must consider this practice acceptable or He would have been more specific when giving the command.
    Now ask yourself, how impressed would God be with this type of argument? Furthermore, do you think the proponents of such reasoning sincerely desire to obey God? Or, do they appear to be more interested in finding a way to circumvent His law. It is true that God alone can rightly judge in this matter, but make no mistake about it, HE WILL JUDGE!

A Point of Agreement
    Almost all Sabbath-keepers would agree that those who work in restaurants on the seventh day are transgressing the fourth commandment – they are engaging in profane labor on this day. This being the case, why would any Sabbath-keeper think that he or she could patronize such a business? By doing so they become the beneficiary of an activity God forbids. To a certain degree, they actually direct that activity by placing orders. How could this practice NOT be in violation of God’s law?
    Can anyone honestly argue that by going into a restaurant and purchasing its products, a Sabbath-keeper is not responsible in part, for the labor of its employees? At the very least, they are condoning this sin by their patronage. Furthermore, does anyone really believe that Moses, based on his understanding of the fourth commandment, would actually permit such a practice on the day God calls HOLY?
    God’s people can attempt to fool themselves by using semantical arguments to rationalize this behavior if they wish. But if we are truly honest with ourselves, we know that such a practice is wrong.

A Command Regarding Strangers
    When giving the fourth commandment, God stated that He prohibited “the stranger within thy gate” from performing any labor on the Sabbath. Consider what is being said here. The “stranger” is an unbeliever – one who does not embrace the faith. The world today is filled with such people. There are virtually billions who do not know the true God or His plan for mankind. As a result, these people think nothing of working on the Sabbath and holy days.
    However, even though this is the case, God’s position regarding His Sabbath will not be compromised. His command is unwavering – the stranger shall not be compelled to labor on behalf of His people. The unbeliever may, through ignorance, choose to profane God’s Sabbath, but they are not to be encouraged to do so by those God has called.  The Great Creator forbids it.
    With this in mind, consider the “stranger” spoken of in the days of Moses and those who work in restaurants today. The similarities between them are truly striking. Both are ignorant of God’s law and His plan for mankind. Both, because of that ignorance, will break God’s law, including His Sabbath, unless prevented from doing so by someone who knows better.  Additionally, both the “stranger” of the 15^th century B.C. and the 21^st century restaurant worker are bound to comply with directions given to them by their masters – those who exercise authority over them. This being the case, should God’s people ever order the “stranger” to work on their behalf on God’s Sabbath? The fourth commandment says NO! The “stranger” should never be compelled to work on behalf of the “believer.” God forbids it. Furthermore, the day will come when that stranger will know why God gave such a command – and will deeply appreciate what God’s people did on his or her behalf. In reality, this obedience on the part of God’s people demonstrates a profound respect for both God’s law as well as the “stranger” who does not yet understand it.

“Within Thy Gates”
    There is another term included in the fourth commandment that is very interesting. The expression “within thy gates” has been at the center of some discussion among many people in God’s Church. Actually, this term can have several meanings. For example, it can mean “inside your house,” “ on your property,” or even “within the city walls.” The implied meaning of this verse takes the principle even further. In essence, it is saying that God’s people are not to compel anyone under their authority to work on the Sabbath. Therefore, if you have the power to prevent someone from laboring on your behalf on God’s Sabbath, you must exercise that power. In other words, if you can prevent someone from working on your behalf, you need to do so.
    It is true that you may not be able to prevent them people working for others on God’s day, but you most assuredly can prevent them from working for you. And God’s command is to YOU.

Another Technicality

        There are some who have suggested that the fourth commandment is not prohibiting God’s people from compelling the unbeliever to work on the Sabbath, but rather from compelling the unbeliever to work  against his or her will on that day. In other words, God’s people are not to force their religion on those who do not believe as they do. Therefore, if the stranger truly wishes to labor on behalf of the believer, he should be permitted to do so.

    This is a very radical view of God’s law. Furthermore, there is no evidence in the scriptures that supports such an  understanding. When giving His command regarding the Sabbath, God was not crafting some elaborate labor code. He was proclaiming a Great spiritual law. A critical element of that law involved working on the Sabbath. Simply put, it was NOT to be done. God’s people were under direct orders from their Creator to not labor on His day, nor were they to allow others to labor for them. This law applied to believer and unbeliever alike.  The point here is that even if restaurant personnel desire to work on your behalf on the Sabbath, you are not to permit it. Tragically, when it comes to many of God’s people today, this command is totally ignored.

The Manservant and the Maidservant

    Furthermore, the waiters and waitresses working at a restaurant are in reality “servants.” Many restaurants even call them “servers.” They are in essence contracted by patrons to perform a specific task. They are to represent the interests of their customers. Additionally, when God’s people dine out on the Sabbath, they do so with the full understanding that someone else will prepare the meal, someone else will serve the meal, and someone else will clean up after the meal is finished. In that capacity, restaurant personnel assume the role of a “manservant” or “maidservant.”
    With this in mind, consider what God commands His people to do regarding the treatment of servants on the Sabbath. God declared that our servants are to do NO WORK on that day (Ex. 20:10). Even if they are strangers, (non-Christians), they are not to labor on behalf of God’s people! In a very real sense, this is one way God’s people can be identified. They do not compel others to do what they themselves would not do on His Sabbath. Such labor is a violation of the fourth commandment!

More Technical Arguments

    Some have argued that restaurant personnel are technically not working for them but rather for the restaurant owner. Therefore, the Sabbath-keeper is not responsible for their labor. If this is true, would it be acceptable with God, if His people contracted a mechanic to work on the family car on the Sabbath? After all, he is employed by someone else and the work is being done outside your gate. Or, what about a dry cleaning business or a hair salon? Could their services be employed on the Sabbath? After all, technically, they are not your servants either, and the command only prohibits your servant from working, not someone else’s servant. Both common sense and God’s word says such reasoning flies in the face of His law. In a very real sense, those who embrace this form of logic are in reality advocating work by proxy. Who really believes God approves of such behavior?
    The point here is that God’s people should not try to find an angle that will enable them to avoid having to obey the Great Moral Authority of the universe. Instead, they should diligently seek His wisdom regarding how they should conduct their lives. When it comes to compelling others to labor on the Sabbath, God’s word is very straightforward and its intent is not difficult to understand. God has commanded His people to NOT labor on this day, nor are they to direct others to work for them.

A Matter of Life and Death
    At this point, it is critical to understand that the Sabbath is so important to God that He actually outlined the consequences for failing to honor this day. God said that breaking the Sabbath was a capital crime. Notice His words.

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. (Ex. 31:13)

    So important is this point that four chapters later, God reiterated this same statement of condemnation.

Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. (Ex. 35:2)

    With these words, God was not simply issuing an idle threat.  He was serious – DEAD serious. Regrettably, He had to prove this fact to the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness.

Picking Up Sticks
    The book of Numbers records an incident in which the children of Israel would witness God’s judgment in this matter first hand. At this time, a man recklessly went out to gather sticks for the purpose of making a fire on the Sabbath. When this trespass was discovered the man was arrested and detained.
    At this point, Moses and Aaron went to God to determine the man’s fate. Sadly, it was not going to be good. For his indifference toward God’s command, the man would suffer the greatest penalty. Moses records God’s judgment concerning this sin.

While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died as the Lord commanded Moses (Nu. 15:32-36)

    When this man was caught breaking the Sabbath, God intervened directly and powerfully. There was no doubt regarding how He viewed this trespass. His judgment was both swift and severe.
    Today we do not see God intervening in such ways, and therefore few fear to transgress His commands. But this must be understood. God does not intervene miraculously in every case. If He did, men and women would be dropping like flies all around us. Instead, God acts directly in first-time events so that there is a record left for us showing God’s judgment in such matters.
    The example of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath is an illustration of enormous value. It reveals God’s true standard, and the ultimate fate of those who think they can disobey Him.
    Regrettably, because many of God’s people have been influenced by the values and standards of this world, they have become desensitized to God and His law. This is a grave mistake. Furthermore, this mistake is repeated every time God’s people go to a restaurant on His Sabbath. By doing so, they become willing participants in causing others to labor on their behalf in clear violation of His command.

A Stern Warning
    Six thousand years ago, Satan told Eve “eat,” and “you surely won’t die” (Ge. 3:4). Sadly, she ate and ultimately perished. Today there are some who teach God’s people that it is acceptable to go to restaurants on the Sabbath. They say, “eat and you won’t die.” However, God clearly states that if we work on His Sabbath, we WILL die! Furthermore, when we compel or even permit others to work for us, we are ultimately responsible.

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