Judgments and Statutes in the New Covenant Era

 

Basic Fundamental Concepts

• In many cases, the words “Ordinance” or “Statute” can be used interchangeably. (See Strong’s Concordance Hebrew words #2706 and 2708 interpreted as Ordinance in some places and Statute in other places).
• Ordinances/Statutes” can relate to either God-ordained laws or else to man-made laws. So when these terms arise, it is best to check with Strong’s Concordance to see who was the author of the law being discussed.
• Unless otherwise specified by the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy (EGW refers to Ellen G. White), God’s Statutes and Judgments remain in effect through the present time.
• Upon 2 commandments hang all the “Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22: 37-40): “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”.  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.

History of Statutes/Judgments

• God-ordained statutes have been in place since:  Before Satan fell (Selected Messages, by EGW, Volume 1, p. 316), At creation (Genesis 1: 14-19, Psalm 104: 19, See also Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary "For seasons" Genesis 1: 14 p. 213), Abraham’s day (Genesis 26: 5), Joseph’s day (Psalms 81: 3-5), Moses’ day (Deuteronomy 5), Paul’s day (1 Corinthians 5: 7-8; Acts 20:6; Acts of the Apostles, by EGW, p. 390-391), Ellen G. White’s day (Signs of the Times, by EGW, March 21, 1895), Every believer’s day (Review and Herald, EGW, October 13, 1904), Forever (Review and Herald, by EGW, May 6, 1875)
• They are a sign between God and His people (Ezekiel 20: 12, 19-20)
• They are to be:  Publicized (Testimonies for the Church, by EGW, vol. 1, p. 332), Remembered and observed even to end times (Malachi 3 and 4), Restored in end times (Joel 2; Isaiah 58: 12-14; Prophets and Kings, by EGW, p. 678)
• They are not to be changed by man (Isaiah 24:4, 5 and Great Controversy, by EGW, p. 589-590)
• However, they were changed by the Catholic Church (Daniel 7: 25 see Hebrew word #1881 and 1882, T. Enright of the Redemptorist Fathers of the Roman Church, June 1905).

Sample List of Some Statutes/Judgments

• Don’t eat animal fat or blood (Leviticus 3: 17)
• No devil sacrifices (Leviticus 17: 7)
• No incest (Leviticus 18: 7-18)
• Good sexual hygiene (Leviticus 18: 19)
• No cheating someone (Leviticus 18: 20)
• No human sacrifices (Leviticus 18: 21)
• No homosexuality (Leviticus 18: 22)
• No bestiality (Leviticus 18: 23)
• No amalgamation (Leviticus 19: 19)
• No tattoos (Leviticus 19: 28)
• Keep God’s Sabbaths and reverence His Sanctuary (Leviticus 19: 30)
• Feast Days (Leviticus 23) (Note: No differentiation between annual versus weekly Sabbath in the Hebrew except for a “High Sabbath” when the annual Sabbath fell on the weekly Sabbath… see Hebrew #7676 verses 7677)
• Will your stuff to your family if possible (Numbers 27: 8-11)
• Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5)
• Clean versus unclean meats (Deuteronomy 14: 3-21)
• Tithing (Deuteronomy 14: 22-29, Malachi 3)
• Many more “no-brainer” stuff found in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. (Review and Herald, by EGW, May 6, 1875; Review and Herald, by EGW, December 18, 1894)

New Covenant Changes

• Righteousness by faith in Jesus and His ability to write His laws on our hearts/minds… However, faith needs to be expressed by doing the work of God and displaying the Fruits of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31: 31-32, Galatians 3-5, Hebrews 10: 38, James 2: 17, Galatians 5: 22-26).
• No more rites, ceremonies, or required offerings/oblations (Daniel 9: 27, Hebrews 9 & 10; Patriarchs and Prophets, by EGW, p. 365; Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 233 Signs of the Times, by EGW, July 29, 1886). OF NOTE: These passages did NOT say that observance of Sabbaths (weekly and annual) as rest days from work with a focus on God stopped! Just that the rites, ceremonies, and offerings/oblations superimposed on the Sabbaths stopped.
• Jesus is our sacrifice, but He still desires the sacrifice of a broken spirit, contrite heart, praise to Him, to do good and share with others (Psalm 51: 17, Sketches from the Life of Paul, by EGW, p. 105, I Peter 2: 5, 21-22, Hebrews 13: 15-16)
• Circumcision is now to be of the heart…A new life after baptism lived for Christ (Acts 15, Romans 2: 29, Colossians 2: 11-13)
• Directions relating to the care, attendance, and services of the temple are not applicable anymore since Jesus now is in the Heavenly temple… However, we are to be impressed with the importance of caring for our bodies as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 23: 38, 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, I Peter 2: 5, 21-22 ).
• No more worship in Jerusalem on the Feast Days… Now we worship in “spirit and in truth” (Luke 13: 35, John 4: 20-24)
• The Levitical priesthood by mortal man was replaced by the immortal Melchisedec priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 7-10).
• The Passover Feast was changed to the act of washing each other’s feet and the Last Supper observance (Matthew 26: 26-28, Great Controversy, by EGW, p. 399, Amazing Grace, by EGW, p. 152, and Patriarchs and Prophets, by EGW, p. 539).
• Unleavened Bread is that of the heart with sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5: 7-8).
• The Wave Sheaf was Jesus’ resurrection and also will be believers gathered to Him at his second coming (1 Corinthians 15:23, Great Controversy, by EGW, p. 399).
• While we have received the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, we are to pray for the outpouring of the Latter Rain and our preparation to receive it (Acts 2, Joel 2: 28-32, Spiritual Gifts, by EGW, vol. 4b p. 59).
• The Feast of Trumpets is to involve a “rending of the heart” and to help prepare the world for judgment and the coming of Jesus (Joel 2: 1, 11, & 12-13, Testimonies for the Church, by EGW, vol. 9 p. 25-29).
• We have and are being reconciled to God through Jesus’ atonement and as such have been given the charge to be His ambassadors to the world to lift up Jesus so they too can be reconciled to God (John 12: 32, Hebrews 9: 11-12, 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21).
• Jesus dwells among us via his Holy Spirit and gives us the offer of drinking of His water of life to refresh us and flow out of us to others bringing them to Jesus and His everlasting life (Revelation 22: 17, John 4: 14, Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 454, Matthew 13: 37-43, Revelation 21: 3-4).
• Thank God for His blessings and pray for protection during the storms that lie ahead (Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 448, Psalm 46: 1-2, Psalm 91: 1-2).
• Attend camp meeting if possible (Testimonies to the Church, by EGW, vol. T, p. 39-41).
• Regarding the death penalty that was to be imposed on certain crimes against the Statutes and God or fellow mankind in the Old Covenant era… (See Exodus 21: 12-17, Exodus 22: 19-20, Exodus 31: 14-15, Leviticus 20 and 24, and numerous other situations listed in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). However, in the New Covenant era I would tend to think the following guidelines would apply: Jesus’ example in dealing with the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11), the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18: 35), and the fact that vengeance and judgment belong to the Lord (Hebrews 10: 30). While the wages of sin is STILL death (either by natural consequences, civil judgments, or divine judgments) in our New Covenant era… thankfully the gift of God is still eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6: 23)!
• Of Note: While I don’t have any biblical proof that the statutes pertaining to the Children of Israel’s hygiene issues especially while they were out in the desert were done away with, I tend to think that logic would say if one has anti-bacterial soap, sterilizers, vaccines, antibiotics, etc. perhaps they might not be currently relevant… then again… epidemiologists and healthcare professionals might not have such lucrative job security if everyone followed the hygiene statutes detailed by the Great Physician Himself. Hmmm…

Blessings…

• Cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father (Isaiah 58: 13-14).
• Receive a favorable judgment by God and the ability to depart from evil (Review and Herald, by EGW, June 26, 1900, Romans 3: 21-26, Romans 5: 6-11, Isaiah 53: 4-7, Joel 2: 1-13, Proverbs 16: 6, Ephesians 2: 13-16, Ezekiel 20: 12, 19-20, Malachi 3: 16-18).
• Blessings in all our increase and in all the works of our hands… True prosperity (Deuteronomy 16: 1-15, Prophets and Kings, by EGW, p. 570).
• Rejoicing and gladness in our hearts (Psalm 19: 8, Deuteronomy 16: 1-15, Joel 2: 23-32, Ezra 6: 21-22).
• God’s protecting care as we go through the journey of life (Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 447-448).
• Everlasting life (John 4: 14, Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 452-453).
• Receive strength, prolonged days, rain and grass to produce satisfying food, enemies driven out, successful accomplishments, and power (Deuteronomy 11, Ezra 6: 21-22).
• Receive assistance in turning away from worldly cares, to commune with God, and to contemplate unseen realities (Testimonies for the Church, by EGW, vol. 6, p. 40).
• Receive a clean heart and God’s Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and lead us into all truth (I Peter 2: 5, 21-22, Ezekiel 11: 19-20, John 14: 16-17, John 15: 26).
• Keep us from corruption (Review and Herald, by EGW, May 6, 1875).
• Receive God’s love, blessings, and fertility of the womb/land/grain/new wine… Blessings above all people (Deuteronomy 7: 9-26).
• See Leviticus 26: 3-13 and Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 for a whole bunch more blessings…

Curses…

• “In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. "The earth mourneth and fadeth away," "the haughty people . . . do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isaiah 24:4, 5, Great Controversy, by EGW, p. 589-590, see Hebrew word #8451 and 2706).
• Destruction, drought, no food, forgotten of God (Deuteronomy 8: 19, Deuteronomy 11: 17, Hosea 4: 6 ).
• Enemies converge violently with widespread destruction to person and property (Ezekiel 22: 26-31, Ezekiel 23: 22-49).
• See Leviticus 26: 14-39 and Deuteronomy 28: 15-68 for a bunch more unthinkable curses…

Law of God vs. Law of Moses

• The term “Law of God” is in reality the same thing as “Law of Moses” and vice versa. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably in the Bible. (1Kings 2: 3, Exodus 13: 9, Deuteronomy 4: 44, Joshua 8: 31, Joshua 24: 26, 2 Kings 10: 31, 1 Chronicles 22: 12, 2 Chronicles 23: 18 all being the Hebrew word #8451 in Strong’s Concordance) (Luke 2: 22-24 and 39, 1 Corinthians 9: 9, Galatians 6: 2 all being the Greek word #3551 in Strong’s Concordance.) For further study, go to Strong’s Concordance and look at all the instances where the Hebrew word #8451 and the Greek word #3551 are used.
• James 1: 12 says that there is only one Lawgiver. Isaiah 33: 22 says Yahweh is that Lawgiver. Moses was merely the conduit (Exodus 19:3-8, 1Kings 8:56, 58, Leviticus 26:46, Numbers 36:13, Judges 3: 4, 1Kings 2:3, Nehemiah 9:13-14).
• It was Jesus Christ Himself who gave special directions to Israel. Do these specifications testify of a Christless dispensation? Is this code of statutes of a lower order than are the statutes which are given in this age? The Lord guards the interests of His people. He gives special directions concerning the poor. How impartial are His ways! How exalted are all His requirements. (The Giving of the Law, By EGW, Manuscript 126, 1901)
• Of note: Looking at Leviticus 26, verses 1-2 address the first, second, and fourth of the 10 Commandments and then in verse 3 God says, “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and perform them…” then in verse 46 God indicates that they are “statutes and judgments and laws which the Lord made between Himself and the children of Israel on Mount Sinai by the hand of Moses”. In Leviticus 27: 30-33, God addresses principals of tithing then in verse 34 says, “These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.” Some people have tried to separate the terms “Commandments” and “Statutes/Ordinances” to indicate that the “Commandments” were by God while the “Statutes” were by Moses… In fact, the Bible indicates that the Statutes/Ordinances and the Commandments were BOTH from God and issued to the Children of Israel by the hand of Moses.

Jesus’ Example

• “For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps Who did no sin neither was guile found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2: 21-22)
• “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2: 6)
• “Everything must be viewed in the light of the example of Christ. He is the truth. He is the true Light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world. Listen to his words, copy his example in self-denial and self-sacrifice, and look to the merits of Christ for the glory in character which he possesses to be bestowed on you. Those who follow Christ live not to please themselves. Human standards are like feeble reeds. The Lord's standard is perfection of character” (Special Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, by EGW, Vol. 9, p. 52).
• “Christ passed through all the experiences of his childhood, youth, and manhood without the observance of ceremonial temple worship. He held no office, he assumed no rank. He passed through the experience of infancy, childhood, and manhood without a stain upon his character. He consecrated himself to God that he might benefit and bless others, to show that in every period of life the human agent can do the Master's will” (Review and Herald, by EGW, October 24, 1899). Since Jesus did attend the Feast Days from ages 12-33, He must have considered some of the Feast Day issues to be moral law and not ceremonial law (Luke 2 and 22, John 7, Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 452-453).

Apostle’s Examples

• “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance…. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2: 1-4 & 47) They were still keeping the Feasts presumably New Covenant style.
• “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread” (Acts 12: 1-3). Still interested in the Feasts post-cross.
• “Paul did not bind himself nor his converts to the ceremonies and customs of the Jews, with their varied forms, types, and sacrifices; for he recognized that the perfect and final offering had been made in the death of the Son of God. The age of clearer light and knowledge had now come. And although the early education of Paul had blinded his eyes to this light, and led him to bitterly oppose the work of God, yet the revelation of Christ to him while on his way to Damascus had changed the whole current of his life. His character and works had now become a remarkable illustration of those of his divine Lord. His teaching led the mind to a more active spiritual life, that carried the believer above mere ceremonies. For thou desires not sacrifice, else would I give it. Thou delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Sketches from the Life of Paul, by EGW, p. 105).
• Paul kept the Feasts presumably New Covenant style (Acts 18: 21, Acts 20:6, 16, Acts 27: 9, Acts of the Apostles, by EGW, p. 390).
• “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5: 7-8). He did urge his gentile Christian converts to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the style of the New Covenant… So He too must have considered some of the Feast Day issues to be moral law and not ceremonial law.

Weekly and Annual Sabbaths

• The weekly (7th day) Sabbath and the 7 annual Feast Day Sabbaths all carry the same Hebrew word #7676 or 7677 (which is from 7676 and just means an extra special Sabbath) or the Greek word #4521 (which is also from the Hebrew word #7676). The kind of sabbath that Jerusalem countryside fields kept during the 70 years of Babylonian captivity is the Hebrew word #7673 (2 Chronicles 36: 21).
• The weekly Sabbath is to have a rest from labor and a focus on God as our creator and deliverer. The Old Covenant style also had God’s people doing sacrifices for this day every week (Numbers 28: 9-10, 1 Chronicles 23: 31, 2 Chronicles 2: 4, 2 Chronicles 8: 12-13, 2 Chronicles 31: 3, Nehemiah 10: 33, Ezekiel 45: 17). However, the New Covenant style had Paul still meeting with Jews and Greeks on the weekly Sabbath presumably without sacrifices being involved (Acts 13: 14, 42-44, Acts 16: 12-13, Acts 17: 2, Acts 18: 4).
• The 7 annual Sabbaths also have a rest from labor with focus’ on God in various aspects of our relationship with Him and with our fellow mankind. Yes, the Old Covenant style had God’s people also doing sacrifices during these days (Leviticus 23). However, the New Covenant style of keeping these days has BOTH a prophetic focus as well as a daily application… (Please note the section on New Covenant Changes).
• “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath (Hebrew word #7676 applying to BOTH weekly and annual Sabbaths), from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 58: 13-14).
• “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath (Hebrew word #7676 applying to BOTH weekly and annual Sabbaths) to another, all flesh shall come to worship before me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 66: 23) Traditionally, SDA’s have applied this verse as referring to the Sabbaths in Heaven and the New Earth.

Who Is Israel Now?

• God’s Promises to literal/spiritual Israel were/are conditional. (1 Kings 9: 4-7)
• 490 years were allotted to literal Israel to fulfill God’s mission for them as His chosen people (457BC to AD34). (Daniel 9: 24, Ezekiel 4: 6, Ezra 7: 11, Acts 13: 46)
• Rejection of Jesus sealed literal Israel’s own rejection as the children of the kingdom. (Matthew 21: 43)
• Initially, God told the children of Israel “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19: 5-6) God’s plan was for Israel to minister and evangelize the world as God’s ambassadors.
• Later, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” (Matthew 21: 43) Literal Israel did not fulfill God’s purpose so the mission was taken away.
• Peter wrote that the Gentile Christian converts had become that “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2: 9-10) (See also Galatians 3: 29, Romans 9: 8, Romans 2: 28-29, Colossians 2: 11)
• Even though literal Israel failed in their mission and did not receive their conditional promises, those promises were transferred to spiritual Israel. (Amos 9, Acts 15: 14-16, 1 Corinthians 3: 16, 1 Peter 2: 5) It is now our mission as Christians of all backgrounds and ethnicities to be God’s ambassadors to the world. With that mission also comes all the other responsibilities of obeying God’s laws/commandments/statutes/ordinances etc. New Covenant Style of course… because we love Him! (John 14: 15, and 1 John 5: 3-4)

Interesting Quotes by Ellen G. White

• The instructions given to Moses for ancient Israel, with their sharp, rigid outlines, are to be studied and obeyed by the people of God today (Letter 259, 1903). {1BC 1103.4}

• The light given me is that we are to study more than we do the instruction given to Moses by God after He had proclaimed the law from Sinai. The ten commandments were spoken by God Himself, and were then written on tables of stone, to be preserved till the judgment should take place. After the giving of the law, God gave Moses specifications regarding the law. These specifications are plain and explicit. No one need make a mistake. {AUCR, March 25, 1907 par. 3} In the day of judgment we shall be asked whether we have lived in harmony with these specifications. It is because we do not carry out these specifications in all our dealings, in our institutions, our families, and in our individual lives, at all times, and in all places, that we do not make greater advancement. It is by the directions that God has given that we shall be judged at the last day. {AUCR, March 25, 1907 par. 4} Have we studied these specifications? I heard them one night some weeks ago. It seemed as if they were being given to Israel, and there was the same solemnity that there was when they were given. I thought, This is given to me that I may tell our people that we must study these specifications. When the directions that God has given are followed, our institutions will be pure and clean, free from all selfishness and covetousness. The tenderness of Christ will come in. His love will fill our hearts. A sense of God's goodness will make us weep, and sing, and praise God. Then we shall be living channels of light, prepared to do His will. {AUCR, March 25, 1907 par. 5}

• We are numbered with Israel. All the instruction given to the Israelites of old concerning the education and training of their children, all the promises of blessing through obedience, are for us. {MH 405.1}

• The statutes concerning marriage, inheritance, and strict justice in deal with one another, were peculiar and contrary to the customs and manners of other nations, and were designed of God to keep his people separate from other nations. The necessity of this to preserve the people of God from becoming like the nations who had not the love and fear of God, is the same in this corrupt age, when the transgression of God's law prevails and idolatry exists to a fearful extent. If ancient Israel needed such security, we need it more, to keep us from being utterly confounded with the transgressors of God's law. The hearts of men are so prone to depart from God that there is a necessity for restraint and discipline. {RH, May 6, 1875 par. 6}

• The Lord Jesus gave these commandments from the pillar of cloud, and Moses repeated them to the children of Israel and wrote them in a book, that they might not depart from righteousness. We are under obligation to fulfill these specifications; for in so doing we fulfill the specifications of the law of God. {RH, December 18, 1894 par. 6, 7}

• That God who reads the hearts of everyone, will bring to light hidden things of darkness where they are often least suspected, that stumbling blocks which have hindered the progress of truth may be removed, and God have a clean and holy people to declare His statutes and judgments. {1T 332.3}

• "This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments; thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice." This is not the voice of man; it is the voice of Christ from the infolding pillar of cloud. Read carefully all of Deuteronomy 26, also chapters 27 and 28; for here are stated plainly the blessings of obedience. {RH, December 25, 1900 par. 6} These directions, which the Lord gave to His people, express the principles of the law of the kingdom of God, and they are made specific, so that the minds of the people may not be left in ignorance and uncertainty. These scriptures present the never-ceasing obligation of all whom God has blessed with life and health and advantages in temporal and spiritual things. The message has not grown weak because of age. God's claims are just as binding now, just as fresh in their importance, as God's gifts are fresh and continual. {RH, December 25, 1900 par. 7}

• The living oracles are the flesh and blood of the Son of God, although He had not then been crucified among them. His work as the substitute for all sin was the only hope of ancient Israel, and after the plan of God had been fulfilled in the death of Christ, the New Testament was written by holy men as they were moved by the Spirit of God. This additional blessing, the New Testament Scriptures, was given, not that the Old might be cast aside, but that the light of the New Testament might be reflected back into past ages, giving significance to the whole Jewish economy. The directions so plainly laid down in reference to practical holiness should enter the life of every one who claims to be a Christian. All should fulfill the terms and conditions given to ancient Israel in regard to practical obedience. {21MR 44.2}

• There must be humbling of spirit; the heart must be changed. Why, with their Bibles to read, do they not understand the "It is written"? The directions so plainly given in Deuteronomy are sacred truth. They are to be acted out in principle in all our religious service toward God and toward one another. It is always safe to be Christian gentlemen, to love as brethren, to do no injustice, and to always show liberality, tenderness, compassion, and true courtesy. {1888 876.4} The very same principles expressed in James 3 were spoken by the voice of God from the pillar of cloud. God spoke to the people the acts they should do and the actions they should not do. Deuteronomy chapter 4. The specifications are never to lose their force, for they are the expression of the mind of the infinite God. Every word is to be cherished. {1888 877.1}

This truth is to be preached. It has been made a thing of naught by many, but the infinite God will not be trifled with. He would be represented by His people by correct principles in everything. All who depart from His word in their actions misrepresent the character God. "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." Psalms 97:11. {1888 877.2} Why, I have asked, are not these principles that have been expressed seen and acted out, for they are the principles of the law of God. {1888 877.3}

• In the book of Leviticus are found many of the special moral requirements which were given to Moses to give to the children of Israel. These were carefully written in a book, and were nothing less than the principles of the ten commandments, defining the duty of man to his fellow-man, and his obligation to God. If they were obedient, God promised to take them to him as his peculiar treasure, make them a most powerful nation, and establish them in the land of Canaan, a holy and happy people. In doing his commandments was their only happiness and safety. {ST, July 22, 1880 par. 1}

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the Lord your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you shall ye not do. Neither shall ye walk in their ordinances." The Lord would have his people true to his service, and separate and distinct from every nation who did not fear his name. He understood the danger of associating with idolaters, knowing that the seeing and hearing of their heathen customs and vain philosophy would have a corrupting influence upon their morals. There was danger of the sacrilegious services of the idol worship appearing attractive to them, and giving character to their religious services. Although the experience of parents might be a safeguard to themselves, there was constant danger in regard to the morals of their children. They would be continually tempted to imitate the practices of the people with whom they associated. {ST, July 22, 1880 par. 2}

This injunction from God himself is of consequence to us who live in these last days when iniquity prevails, and Satan with every device is upon the track of the unwary. Merriment and pleasure-seeking is the order of the day, and reckless presumption and the absence of virtue mark the course of society generally. The standard of the world is in no case to be the standard of those who love and fear God. He requires those who follow him to be separate from sin and sinners. The reason why those who profess his name are not more precious in his sight is because the pure gold of their character has been corrupted by association with the world, and they have not genuine faith or a genuine religion. {ST, July 22, 1880 par. 3}

The instruction given to ancient Israel was to the same effect as that given by Christ to his disciples upon the mount. Both were intended to counteract selfishness and encourage benevolence. God ever remembers the poor, and gives directions to his people to remember them. "And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest." Again he says, "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. {ST, July 22, 1880 par. 4}

• We are to become familiar with the Levitical law in all its bearings; for it contains rules that must be obeyed; it contains the instruction that if studied will enable us to understand better the rule of faith and practice that we are to follow in our dealings with one another. No soul has any excuse for being in darkness. Those who receive Christ by faith will receive also power to become the sons of God (Letter 3, 1905). {1BC 1110.4}

• The principles set forth in Deuteronomy for the instruction of Israel are to be followed by God's people to the end of time. True prosperity is dependent on the continuance of our covenant relationship with God. Never can we afford to compromise principle by entering into alliance with those who do not fear Him. Prophets and Kings, by EGW, p. 570

• Where shall we find laws more noble, pure, and just, than are exhibited on the statute books wherein is recorded the instruction given to Moses for the children of Israel? Through all time these laws are to be perpetuated, that the character of God's people may be formed after the divine similitude. The law is a wall of protection to those who are obedient to God's precepts. From what other source can we gather such strength, or learn such noble science? What other book will teach men to love, fear, and obey God as does the Bible? What other book presents to students more ennobling science, more wonderful history? It clearly portrays righteousness, and foretells the consequence of disloyalty to the law of Jehovah. No one is left in darkness as to that which God approves or disapproves.... {FE 393.2}

• In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law. {RH, May 6, 1875 par. 10}

• The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God's ten precepts. That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments. These laws were called judgments, both because they were framed in infinite wisdom and equity and because the magistrates were to give judgment according to them. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people. {PP 310.1}

• He then came still closer to his people, who were so readily led astray, and would not leave them with merely the ten precepts of the decalogue. He commanded Moses to write, as he should bid him, judgments and laws, giving minute directions in regard to what he required them to perform, and thereby guarded the ten precepts which he had engraved upon the tables of stone. These specific directions and requirements were given to draw erring man to the obedience of the moral law, which he is so prone to transgress. {1SP 264.1}

If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved in the ark by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a token or pledge, they would never have gone into idolatry, nor been suffered to go down into Egypt; and there would have been no necessity of God's proclaiming his law from Sinai, and engraving it upon tables of stone, and guarding it by definite directions in the judgments and statutes given to Moses. {1SP 264.2}

Moses wrote these judgments and statutes from the mouth of God while he was with him in the mount. If the people of God had obeyed the principles of the ten commandments, there would have been no need of the specific directions given to Moses, which he wrote in a book, relative to their duty to God and to one another. The definite directions which the Lord gave to Moses in regard to the duty of his people to one another, and to the stranger, are the principles of the ten commandments simplified and given in a definite manner, that they need not err. {1SP 265.1}

• After giving the ten commandments, the Lord more explicitly enlarged upon them, laying down the principles that should be carried out in the practical life. These specifications are called judgments, or statutes, because the magistrates were to give judgment according to them. God did not speak them with an audible voice to the Israelites, but gave them to Moses, who communicated them to the people... {2SAT 185.7}

• It would be a scene well-pleasing to God and angels, would His professed followers in this generation unite, as did Israel of old [referring especially to the revival in the days of Nehemiah], in a solemn covenant to "observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes" (SW June 7, 1904).

• If we comply with the conditions God laid down for Israel, if we come before God in the beauty of holiness, and worship Him in Spirit and in truth, we shall receive the blessings that God promised to them. God sends His Word to assure us that if we will be obedient to Him, He will acknowledge us as members of His royal family. He will honor His peculiar people above all nations. "This honour have all His saints" (Psalm 149:9). {1MR 108.3}

• Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice: and the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised thee,and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as He hath spoken." Deuteronomy 26:17-19. {6T 222.3} In these words are set forth the conditions of all true prosperity, conditions with which, if they fulfill the purpose of their establishment, all our institutions must comply. {6T 223.1}

• The words of Moses to Israel, concerning the statutes and judgments of the Lord, are also the word of God to us; he says: "Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?.. {ST, March 21, 1895 par. 1}

Notes

• For further reading on the dating of the Feast Day Sabbaths:
- Leviticus 23
- Deuteronomy 16
- Patriarchs and Prophets, By EGW, Chapter 52
- Spirit of Prophecy, by EGW, Vol. 4, p. 497
- www.paleotimes.org/articles/newMoonCrescentorFull.htm
- http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon
- http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php

Bible Feast Days