What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required,a and the profaning the day by idleness,b or doing that which is in itself sinful,c or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about worldly employments or recreations.d
- aEzekiel 22:26; Amos 8:5; Malachi 1:13
- bActs 20:7,9
- cEzekiel 23:38
- dJeremiah 17:24-27; Isaiah 58:13
Beddome's Scriptural Exposition 9 questions answered from Scripture
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Is the sabbath profaned by the neglect of it? Yes.
“They hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned amongst them” Ezekiel 22:26
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And by unnecessary journeys, visits, and the like? Yes.
“Abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day” Exodus 16:29
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And by pastimes and diversions? Yes.
“Not finding thine own pleasure” Isaiah 58:13
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And by idle and unprofitable discourse? Yes.
“Not speaking thine own words” Isaiah 58:13
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And especially by those actions which are at all times unlawful? Yes.
“They have committed adultery in the same day, and hath profaned my sabbaths” Ezekiel 23:37–38
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Do those profane the sabbath who perform the duties of it carelessly? Yes.
“Ye brought that which was torn, and lame and sick” Malachi 1:13
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Or hypocritically? Yes.
“Their heart is far from me” Matthew 15:8
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Or reluctantly? Yes.
“As Doeg who was detained before the Lord” 1 Samuel 21:7
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Or who are weary of it? Yes.
“They say when will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn, and the sabbath that we may set forth wheat” Amos 8:5
Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.
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