Dining Out on the Sabbath

“Is it permissible to eat at restaurants on the Sabbath? Is this ‘doing business’ or causing others to work?”

This is fine to do—in balance! Just don’t overdo it. Most restaurants are open for business on the Sabbath, whether we choose to dine out or not. By dining out, we are not creating work for them that they would not otherwise be doing.

This question has also arisen concerning dining out on annual Holy Days. The same principle applies. God does not expect us to skip meals on His feast days.

It is fine to have a meal at a restaurant with other brethren to continue Sabbath fellowship. But if it were to last several hours (due to extenuating circumstances or certain cultural traditions), you could be in danger of breaking the Sabbath.

Christ showed that it is not wrong to satisfy immediate hunger on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-5). He cited David’s example of eating the showbread from the Temple (1 Sam. 21:6).

Watching Movies and TV on the Sabbath

“Is it wrong to watch films or documentaries with biblical themes on the Sabbath?”

To set aside time on the Sabbath to watch a Bible-related movie could potentially detract from God’s intended purpose for the day—for us to reflect on His ways. As Christians, we have to determine if this helps us properly keep the Sabbath, or is something done in place of keeping the Sabbath.

It is not a sin to watch such movies. However, Hollywood’s depiction of biblical events and circumstances is always inaccurate (sometimes almost completely). Film producers seek to promote their own ideas and misconceptions about the Bible, generally so that people will watch their films, and to make money. They know that people will more readily pay to watch fiction than fact (especially when it comes to the Bible).

Their films show great men of God having long hair (which the Bible states is a shame; see 1 Corinthians 11:14). They are portrayed as weak, odd, and mentally unbalanced. The depiction of their attire is based on Hollywood’s imagination rather than historical information.

As if trying to convince viewers of the humanity of God’s servants, Hollywood places emphasis on their mistakes. To do this they use lurid scenes to titillate the senses. This clouds the PLAIN TRUTH of the Bible.

Also, in many such films, King James English is used. In ancient times, none of God’s servants spoke English. It did not yet exist. These men generally spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek. They would not have spoken in King James English: no thee, thou, thine, couldest, wouldest, blesseth, etc.

“Is it proper to watch news programs on the Sabbath?”

Christ instructs us to “Watch you therefore: for you know not when the master of the house comes” (Mark 13:35). We should be watchful not only six days of the week, but also on the Sabbath. To watch a news program, giving details as prophetic events unfold, is not wrong. But to make it an “all-day affair,” getting every network’s angle, is breaking the Sabbath.

Kindling a Fire on the Sabbath?

“Is it permissible to cook or build a fire on the Sabbath?”

Some have cited Exodus 35:3 as evidence that we are not to cook on the Sabbath: “You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day.” Certain sects of Orthodox Jews misunderstand this verse, taking it literally to mean that they cannot even turn on light switches or strike a match on the Sabbath for any purpose. This is not what the passage intends.

When the entire context of the scripture is examined, the meaning of God’s words becomes clear. The Israelites were showing extreme zeal in their desire to build the tabernacle. The people later brought an over-abundance of raw materials to construct the tabernacle. Many had to be turned away (Exod. 36:5-6).

What God was forbidding (Exod. 35:3) was the burning of industrial fires on the Sabbath. In the course of building the tabernacle, the Israelites were engaged in metal-working. God did not want them to do this on His Sabbath. Of course, this command is still applicable in the case of any fires in regard to the workplace.

This command in no way forbids cooking on the Sabbath. However, the main preparations should always be done on the preparation day (Friday), before the Sabbath.

Husbands and Wives

“Is it proper for a husband and wife to have intimate relations on the Sabbath?”

God does not command married couples to abstain from sexual contact on the Sabbath. Notice Genesis 1:26-28: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after our likeness.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it ...”

God created Adam and Eve on the sixth day of the creation week, just before the Sabbath (Gen. 1:31). “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet.... Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Gen. 2:18, 24-25).

Would God have created man and woman, given them the instructions we have just read, and then have said, “Now wait until after the Sabbath to come together”? Of course not!

“Should Sabbath concessions be made for unconverted mates, as long as they are ‘pleased to dwell with you’?”

Let’s look at an example: is it wrong for a wife to prepare a meal for an unconverted husband on the Sabbath?

This is not breaking the Sabbath, unless the husband were to make unreasonable demands (e.g., expect the wife to go to the store on the Sabbath, or to prepare an elaborate meal that would be time-consuming and distracting). If your mate is truly pleased to dwell with you, he or she will not seek to cause you to compromise.

“Is it wrong to attend a dinner function with an unconverted mate on Friday night?”

Again, the same principle applies. Consider the influences that would be present. Would you benefit by going? Probably not! Or would you both ultimately benefit if you respectfully decline (1 Cor. 7:14,16)? Almost certainly, yes! Remember: “... whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23).

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