Adventistische Schriften über: "The significance of the fire prohibition on the Sabbath"

The fire prohibition on the Sabbath was a temporary ordinance that applied specifically to the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. In the wilderness, fire for warmth was not necessary, so the prohibition did not constitute hardship. In the promised land of Canaan, however, where the climate often required fire, this prohibition should not apply, because the Sabbath was not meant to cause suffering but to bring refreshment and blessing. Later Jews, however, turned it into a pointless burden that God never intended.

The fire prohibition as a temporary ordinance for the wilderness

»While staying in the wilderness, lighting fires on the seventh day was strictly forbidden. The prohibition was not to extend to the land of Canaan, where the harsh climate would often make fire necessary; but in the wilderness fire was not needed for warmth.«

1 - Ellen Gould White, Patriarchs and Prophets (PP 408.4)

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Not part of the original Sabbath command

»This language is not part of the fourth command, the great law of the Sabbath. It is at least possible that this is a command that applies only to this nation, and not part of the original institution. That the prohibition of fire was a law of this class, i.e., a law intended only for the wilderness, emerges from several decisive facts.«

2 - John Nevins Andrews, History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week (HSFD 67.3)

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No conflict with the Passover feast

»If the fire prohibition actually concerned the promised land and not only the wilderness, it would every few years directly collide with the law of Passover. For Passover was to be roasted by each family of the children of Israel on the evening after the fourteenth day of the first month, which occasionally fell on the Sabbath. This is certainly a strong confirmation of the view that the fire prohibition on the Sabbath was a temporary statute that only concerned the wilderness.«

3 - John Nevins Andrews, History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week (HSFD 70.1)

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The Sabbath brings blessing, not suffering

»The Sabbath was not intended to be a cause of need and suffering, but of refreshment, joy, and blessing.«

4 - John Nevins Andrews, History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week (HSFD 69.1)

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Pointless human regulations

»The Sabbath was especially surrounded by all sorts of pointless restrictions. A Jew was not allowed to light a fire nor even a candle on the Sabbath. God has not given any commandments that cannot be obeyed by all. His laws do not approve unreasonable or selfish restrictions.«

5 - Ellen Gould White, The Desire of Ages (DA 204.1)

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• Sabbath law in the wilderness vs. Canaan
• Difference between moral law and ceremonial regulations
• Understanding the Sabbath as joy and blessing