Preliminary Measures: Some Things Call For Preparation.

On a typical weekly Sabbath some may find themselves hungry. Some not having any prepared food on hand will say "I'm hungry", and then will go to the store and buy something to eat. This could happen week, after week, after week. If someone was to question the individuals why they are supporting buying and selling on the Lord's Day, they may say "I've been in church all day, and now I'm hungry". They also may say, "When the Lord's servants were hungry on the Sabbath, they got themselves something to eat".

Concerning this matter, [the U.S.A.’s] Thanksgiving Day (every fourth Thursday in November) comes to mind. In an American tradition, this is a time of the year when many choose to give special thanks to the Lord. Suppose what would happen if there were no preliminary measures taken.

Suppose turkeys were not hatched and raised ahead of time (seeing the process from start to finish could take 4 ½ - 6 ½ months). Suppose the corn had not been planted, the cranberries and yams have not been harvested, and measures have not been taken to prepare the rest of the meal. (As for me, the dinner will not be complete without some collard greens).

Suppose the whole country paid no heed to the upcoming holiday, and then when the fourth Thursday of November arrives, all the people say "Lets have turkey with all the fixings, and give thanks to our Lord". Of course that would be foolish. If one wants to set aside time to commemorate the Lord, there needs to be preliminary measures taken.

Concerning the Weekly Sabbath, if I desire to set aside the day and focus on things of God, I need to do some homework. With the weekly Sabbath being a full day long, people will need something to eat during that period. The Holy Scriptures have taught us how we could prepare for the Lord's day.

If we take into account the lessons of the Mosaic Law, and seek the Lord for wisdom concerning food preparation, we will find the Sabbath not to be a burden, but rather an asset for us personally as well as spiritually.

The Lord does not overburden us with the Sabbath, for the Sabbath is not a burden. Nor does He overburden us during non-sabbath days. The Sabbath helps the non-sabbath days remain bearable because we have our focus on our help from above. But if we think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we may decide the Sabbath is not important. Then, we are headed for trouble that will not be bearable, just to falsely accuse God of forsaking us. If we don't want to forsake the Lord, so He will not forsake us, properly observing the weekly Sabbath in Jesus' name is a good place to start.

So then let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of falling. (I Corinthians 10:12 [Weymouth New Testament])

Would I be within my rights if I verbally condemn the world for not keeping the day the Lord set aside, while I am the one causing them to profane the Lord's Day by me frequenting their business [on His Day]? Would not the guilt of the servants disrespecting the Word of the Lord be on my hands for being a partaker / an accomplice in their contempt? What was it that kept me from preparing ahead of time for the Day of Rest?

but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen and donkeys and other livestock, and any foreigners living among you. All your male and female servants must rest as you do. (Deuteronomy 5:14 [NLT])

Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed. (Exodus 23:12 [NLT])

A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep some one command, has become guilty of violating all. (James 2:10 [Weymouth New Testament])

I believe the spirit of Deuteronomy 24:17-18 addresses this issue. Those outside the commonwealth of Israel should not have a yoke / stumbling block placed on them by the Elect that causes them to defy what our Lord commanded in Genesis 2:3. (Just because many are not resting on the Sabbath, it should not be assumed they are not striving to obey) :

True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow's garment in pledge of her debt. Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I have given you this command. (Deuteronomy 24:17-18 [NLT])

"And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong." (1 Corinthians 8:12 [NLT])

If I unjustifiability dishonor the Lord by profaning part of the Set Aside Day, I have done the equivalent of degrading the whole Sabbath (it is as though I dishonored the Lord for 24 hours). One that routinely disregards a portion of the Sabbath is not a Sabbath keeper (but rather may be one that possesses a form of Sabbath keeping).

And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31b)
And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Genesis 1:5b)

From sundown friday evening until sundown saturday evening, the Day is not to be treated as having no special designation.

But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. (Acts 11:9)

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (Genesis 2:3)