Weddings and Funerals

“Is it wrong to attend a wedding or funeral on the Sabbath?”

As long as either of these activities do not conflict with Sabbath assembly, it is not wrong to attend a ceremony for someone close to you. Again, certain judgments have to be made. If attending the ceremony would keep you from Sabbath services, it would be wrong. If you can attend both (with proper emphasis placed on Sabbath-keeping), then it would not be wrong.

Also, be careful of the other elements of weddings that occur before sundown on the Sabbath, such as dancing, the wrong kind of music typical at weddings in the world, the use of alcohol, leading to loose conversation and loud celebrating, as well as the kinds of improper attire now also common in weddings held in the world.

Doing Good on the Sabbath

“Is it acceptable to do ‘good deeds’ on the Sabbath?”

Some have asked: Is it wrong to help someone with a flat tire, or other mechanical difficulties, on your way to Sabbath services? If it is someone you know, such as a Church member also on his way to services or neighbour, or someone else in obvious genuine need, the answer is it is not wrong.

However, in this day and age, when it is potentially dangerous to stop and assist strangers, you must rely on God’s wisdom to make the right decision.

Christ’s example was to do good on the Sabbath as situations presented themselves. This would generally always involve unusual circumstances (Matt. 12:1-9, 12; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:7-9; John 5:7-9). Christ did not go out of His way in search of good deeds to do on the Sabbath.

What would God expect you to place more importance on: an opportunity to render physical assistance to an unconverted person (who, in doing his own thing on God’s Sabbath, ran into minor difficulties)—or the opportunity to serve (spiritually and physically) brethren of like mind, with whom we usually fellowship only on the Sabbath?

Again, we must use good judgment. If it is someone you know, then it would not be wrong to stop and offer assistance. Remember, you—your example—may be the only Bible some ever read. Some may see your good deeds and “... glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). If, in your zeal to get to services on time, you show no concern for your neighbour, you have missed an opportunity to “Let your light so shine before men.” Your assistance would have shown him: (1) you keep the Sabbath; (2) it is alright to do good on the Sabbath.

Everything in life requires good judgment. For instance, it would not be wrong to stop at the scene of an accident in which someone is obviously injured and in need of immediate help (and to do what you can until emergency personnel arrive). In such a case, it would be wrong to callously drive by (Gal. 6:10; James 4:17).

What About an “Ox in the Ditch”?

“What if an emergency situation appears, requiring work on the Sabbath?”

Many have struggled with the issue of what qualifies as an “ox in the ditch” situation. Through that example (Matt. 12:10-11; Luke 14:1-5), Christ defined it as an unforeseen situation beyond our control.

Some have liberalized this issue by digging a ditch on Friday, intentionally unlocking the gate, leading the ox onto the road, and pushing it into the ditch. They are often Pharisaical in their lists of “do’s and don’ts,” but then try to get around them by pushing the ox into the ditch. Some forget that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Overly focusing on the day, they go to the opposite extreme, worshipping it, instead of the GOD who made it.

We must exercise good judgment and planning. For instance, if you are inviting brethren to your home after Sabbath services, look ahead and anticipate what you will need.

Even if you are not expecting guests, you should plan for the Sabbath so that you and your family can keep it as God commands. For instance, if you know that you are running short on particular foods that you normally enjoy on the Sabbath, or if there is something special that you would like to eat, plan ahead.

Also, make sure that you have enough fuel for the car before the Sabbath arrives. It is generally also a good idea to check the tires and other vital fluids. To experience mechanical problems on the Sabbath—and miss God’s services—can certainly make it very difficult to rejoice. Although we cannot foresee every possible problem, addressing those we can is an important part of proper Sabbath planning.

To address every potential “ox in the ditch” scenario would require more than a chapter. These can come in every conceivable size, shape, and colour.

As Proverbs 22:3 states, “A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Different circumstances require different levels of planning and preparation.

One example of a regularly scheduled (but avoidable) “ox in the ditch” is experienced by dairy farmers. Cows have to be milked twice daily. It is a manual chore that requires approximately fifteen minutes per cow. Even if done mechanically, certain intermediate steps must still be done by hand. It is time-consuming.

Keep in mind, many of God’s Old Testament servants were farmers or ranchers—and God blessed them. They must have planned their various duties so that they did not interfere with proper Sabbath-keeping. They got the job done!

In the past, successful dairy farmers in God’s Church tended to the needs of their livestock without breaking the Sabbath. They simply confined nursing calves with their mothers before sunset Friday, and released them after sunset Saturday. The job got done, and the Sabbath was not violated!

There are many other farm-specific issues that could be addressed. But if Abel, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, and others made it work, it can also be done today.

In today’s society, based on greed, “factory farming” is the standard. Farms are increasingly becoming corporate-owned “assembly lines,” operating “24/7.”

But this was never God’s intention. God had placed Adam in the garden of Eden to “... dress it and to keep it” (Gen. 2:15). God never places people into situations that force them to compromise with the laws He commanded them to keep (James 1:13).

However, if a farmer regularly finds himself in Sabbath predicaments due to improper planning, he should consider how to reduce his workload or even consider another occupation. The same applies to any other profession of similar problem.

What Is Your Attitude Toward the Sabbath?

Do you view the Sabbath as God intended? Do you anticipate it each week, as time to put aside daily concerns (going to work, paying bills, shopping, etc.) and to focus on a relationship with your Creator? Or do you view it as a burden, as time taken away from you? Do you watch the clock on the Sabbath, waiting for sunset, so you can “get back to your life”?

The Sabbath is God’s weekly gift to His people. We should consider it much like His command to tithe. Similarly, God gives us nine-tenths of our income after we pay the first tenth that belongs to Him. God gives us six-sevenths of the week to do with as we please, within the confines of His Law. All He requires in return is that we keep the seventh day holy.

He commands us to use the sixth day of each week to prepare for the Sabbath. This means proper planning—looking ahead and making sure that everything is in place well before sunset Friday, so that we are ready to receive the Sabbath, in the same way that we receive blessings for obeying God’s tithing command: “I will ... open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be enough room to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).

Unlike tithing, God gives us our six-sevenths of the week “up front.” Only at the end of the week does He test us “... whether [we] will walk in [His] law, or no” (Exod. 16:4).

Those with children should plan activities for them that will help them properly appreciate the Sabbath. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

We should take the time to sit down with our children regularly, and read God’s Word to them. This way, not only will they be more attentive to the messages given on the Sabbath, but they will also be able to better understand and appreciate that Christianity is a WAY OF LIFE, not just a one-day-a-week event.

Take periodic walks with your children on the Sabbath and point out the beauty of God’s creation. Always remember that God is offering your children the same reward He is offering you. We should do everything we can to in still within them the desire to inherit the kingdom of God.

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