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Lesson 7 Hope of Israel Ministries BIBLE Correspondence Course 9

space of time -- the SEVENTH day of the week, HOVAH’s Sabbaths also was to be a “sign” that
the Sabbath. they were YEHOVAH’s CHOSEN people,
4. How long was Israel to keep the selected for this purpose.
SABBATH -- forever? Exodus 31:16, last four YEHOVAH God called Abraham’s
words. The word “perpetual” means FOREVER. “seed” out of Egyptian bondage -- the sin of this
Did YEHOVAH make a special, SEPARATE “world” -- to perform a special mission. It was
Sabbath “Covenant” with His people? Same the most important calling any nation has ever
verse. been given in all the history of mankind.
COMMENT: The Sabbath was, and is, YEHOVAH called them so that THROUGH
so IMPORTANT for mankind, YEHOVAH THEM He could REVEAL HIMSELF TO THE
DOUBLY COMMANDED Sabbath Day WORLD -- to show that HE is the Creator and
keeping by making this special and SEPARATE Ruler of the universe, and reveal His laws,
COVENANT with His people Israel! (The commandments, blessings and great plan for
Sabbath was ALREADY commanded in the Ten mankind!
Commandments which YEHOVAH had given 7. But NOTICE! Were the called “seed”
them EARLIER -- Exodus 20:8.) Here is an of Abraham already holy, or were they to
EVERLASTING covenant to identify the true BECOME a holy people? Deuteronomy 7:6-9.
Creator God of Israel! COMMENT: The ITALICIZED word
All other nations had forgotten “art” in verse 6 has been wrongly added by the
YEHOVAH God because they had forgotten the translators. These Old Covenant Israelites were
keeping of His Sabbath Day. Israel ALONE had NOT HOLY -- they were supposed to BECOME
the “sign” to prove that YEHOVAH God -- the HOLY!
LORD of Heaven and earth -- was their God and 8. Did the Old Covenant fleshly “seed”
Creator. of Abraham FAIL to become holy? Ezekiel
5. But now notice something additional. 20:13. Notice the word “REBELLED.” And
Was resting on the Sabbath Day to also be a what did they do regarding RESTING on
“sign” to Abraham’s descendants of something YEHOVAH’s Sabbaths? Same verse.
ELSE? Exodus 31:13, the last five words. COMMENT: Had Old Covenant Israel
Doesn’t this verse show that they would have kept the Sabbath Day as YEHOVAH God
always known -- if they had CONTINUED to
rest on the Sabbath Day -- that the Creator God The result of disobedience -- Israelites being
was setting them apart for a PARTICULAR deported. YEHOVAH sometimes punishes His
HOLY USE? people very severely for rebelling against Him.
COMMENT: The word “sanctify” Sabbath breaking was prominent among ancient
means to SET APART or MAKE HOLY. Israel’s disobedience.
6. Were the Israelites to be a “HOLY
nation” and a “kingdom of PRIESTS"? Exodus
19:6.
COMMENT: Israel was to be
SANCTIFIED -- be set apart and made holy -- as
a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. They
were to LEAD OTHERS to the SAME
CONDITION OF HOLINESS!
Abraham’s descendants were thus to be
SET APART for this SPECIAL HOLY
MISSION AND DUTY. Resting on YE-

YEHOVAH God’s TRUE Sabbath Day -- Part 1