Some wonder: Is it right to take exams on the Sabbath? Before we answer this question, let’s find the meaning of the Sabbath. God created the Sabbath so that we may rest from our physical labor and have fellowship with Him (Genesis 2:2,3). The Sabbath is truly one of the greatest blessings God has bestowed upon us. And when we keep the Sabbath day, we show our love and appreciation to our Creator and Redeemer.
The Sabbath Commandment
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).
The spirit of true Sabbath keeping will lead one to improve its sacred hours by seeking to understand more perfectly the character and will of God, to appreciate more fully His love and mercy, and to cooperate more effectively with Him in ministering to our spiritual needs and those of others. Jesus is our example and He kept the Sabbath by going to the temple (Luke 4:16), preaching (Luke 13:10), and the doing acts of mercy (Mark 3:1-6).
Is it Right to Take Exams on the Sabbath?
So, whatever contributes to these primary objectives is appropriate to do on the Sabbath. And whatever contributes primarily to the pursuit of one’s own interests is not appropriate to the purpose of the Sabbath. Therefore, Sabbath hours are not to be spent in school activities such as studying and taking exams. The Sabbath hours are holy and should be spent only on that which brings us closer to the Lord.
The Lord promised a great blessing for Sabbath keeping: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words. Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 58:13,14).
For more on the Sabbath, please check (Lessons 91-102) of the Bible Lessons.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
