The Astronaut and Sabbath Keeping
The Bible teaches that the Sabbath begins Friday evening at sunset and ends Saturday evening at sunset. “From evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath” (Leviticus 23:32). For God, who created the heavenly bodies and set them in motion to mark the passage of time (Genesis 1:14), counts time from sunset to sunset.
This can be seen in the account in Genesis 1. After dividing day from night, God tells us that “the evening and the morning were the first day” (verse 5). “Evening” is mentioned first, followed by “morning.” God describes each day’s creation in similar terms (verses 8, 13, 19, 23, 31).
This could pose a dilemma for some space travelers because there is no rising and setting of the sun in space so how can one find out the exact period to keep the Sabbath?
It is certainly possible for a space traveler to keep God’s holy day and that is simply by observing it at the same time he was keeping it at home (wherever that may be) just as he did before he left Earth. For that he would have to use some kind of earth-time standard and dedicate that time for God’s worship. This way he can obey God’s fourth commandment that is listed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11).
And the space traveler can be assured that the Lord will accept his best service. For the Creator looks at the heart of man (Psalms 139:1) and searches the motives and intents (Jeremiah 17:10). He can read through every action that people take (1 Kings 8:39). And if He sees that a man is willing to obey and does his best towards that end, the Lord accepts his love and worship (John 4:24).
For more on the Sabbath, please check (Lessons 91-102) of the Bible Lessons.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
