Sex on the Sabbath day — Yes or No?

Many people who aim to serve God and understand that his commands are to be kept ask this burning question. Should the followers of God have marital sex on the Sabbath day?

The desire to follow his commandments ultimately leads us all down this road. Many will argue that our helper, the Holy Spirit, provokes this question, sending us on a quest for the truth.

Understanding that the commands you follow determine who you serve and who you worship is emerging knowledge taking root rapidly. Knowing this fundamental fact, it now becomes essential to search out the things of God to know what he requires of you.

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Current teachings

When researching, the general consensus favours sexual intercourse on the 7th-day Sabbath. The teaching embodies the union between a man and a woman as spiritual, thus allowing intercourse on a spiritual day since marriage is a spiritual union.

Although accepted by many, this general consensus lacks a scriptural foundation. Daniel exemplified that he found understanding through studying Jeremiah's writings (Daniel 9:2), thus providing a clear precedent that we should rely on the scriptures for direction and as a foundation.

Only the foolish build their understanding of God’s Word without using God’s Word. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Sabbath day heat

The Sabbath appears to be a particularly sexually-heated day. This state of arousal may result from the generally accepted days for Sabbath falling on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday). The relief from the labour burden creates the desire for coupling and release.

The Sabbath in the Gregorian calendar falls on Saturday, although many celebrate it on Sunday. As a result, entering into a marriage and controlling yourself on the Sabbath is a struggle between the flesh and holiness. Nonetheless, God is clear on what He expects, so there is a titanic battle to be righteous.

Ordinarily, resistance rears its head when the understanding of a doctrine arises that demands changing one's habits. Some will still mangle logic and the evidence presented to justify having sexual intercourse on the Sabbath day. They will succumb to the power of the flesh and explain it to themselves with any shred of flawed logic they can muster.

Sabbath Sex: Yes or No

To have or not have sex on the Sabbath is presented in Exodus 19 & 20.

^10. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

^11. And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

^12. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

^13. There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

^14. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

^15. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

Exodus 19:10-15 KJV

God spoke to Moses and commanded him to sanctify the people in Exodus 19:10. As part of the sanctification process, Moses commanded the Israelites not to "come (have sexual intercourse) at their wives" in Exodus 19:15.

The words in focus here are "sanctify" and "come".

In Exodus 20:8, God commanded that his Sabbath day be kept holy.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8 KJV

Despite sanctify and holy being translated using two different words in English, they are the same word in Hebrew (קָדַשׁ—clean, purify, to be holy, hallow). Therefore, this equality shows that part of the Sabbath sanctification process is not having sexual intercourse.

There is more…

The following passage from the book of Jubilees provides further evidence for those who have extended beyond the protestant Christian 66-Book Bible.

And the man that does any work on it shall die: whoever desecrates that day, whoever lies with (his) wife, or whoever says he will do something on it, that he will set out on a journey thereon in regard to any buying or selling: and whoever draws water thereon which he had not prepared for himself on the sixth day, and whoever takes up any burden to carry it out of his tent or out of his house shall die.

Jubilees 50:8

This passage does not leave room for negotiation, stating, "whoever desecrates that day, whoever lies with his wife—shall die".

Conclusion

The architect of this world of sin is bent on fighting against God; however, God is clear about what we must do to enter his kingdom.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 KJV

Some will consider remaining unmarried as a way of avoiding the potential fate of falling away. As Paul describes it, this may be an excellent way to proclaim the Word of God; however, if you cannot contain yourself, it is better to marry than sin and consequently die at the hand of God (1 Corinthians 7:7-9).

To receive the gifts of God, we must govern our lives around the commands of God and let him guide us through this world.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:4 KJV