Sabbath — Faves of Dave - Bible Study

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Before we dive into the text, let’s briefly discuss the context for a moment. The Scriptures and tradition hold that Moses wrote the first five books of what we as Christians, call the Old Testament. These are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. As we’ve just read, it begins with a description of the creation of the universe. Deuteronomy will end at the end of Moses’ life with Joshua ready to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after being oppressed in Egypt for 400 years.

Among other things, Moses is giving the Israelites an account of who their God, Yahweh, is and how he created the universe and life on the earth. Ancient accounts from Egyptians and other ancient cultures on how their god(s) created things are preserved in some measure today. Many scholars believe that Genesis is writing to the Israelites to say, “You have one God, Yahweh, and here’s how he created the world.” That is helpful for us to know as we read and think about the creation account in Genesis and what it says about God. It’s also helpful to understand that this original audience who had received a covenant promise by God in Exodus and again in Deuteronomy would need to understand why the sign of the covenant promise was for them to remember and honor the seventh day (Sabbath) of the week. It all returns to the original “seventh day” in Genesis 2:1-3.

On the sixth day, God saw all that he had made, and it was “very good.” Genesis 2:1 emphasizes the completion of God’s creative work. Personally, I find it comforting that God completes what he starts. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s introductory encouragement in his letter to the church at Philippi, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philip. 1:6). Paul clearly believes that God will accomplish in our lives what he begins. He won’t leave us undone or scrap us.

Besides completing what he started, the English Standard Version (ESV) says that God “rested on the seventh day from all his work he had done” (Gen 2:2) The word “rested” is actually better translated as “ceased.” God wasn’t tired. He didn’t need a nap. The emphasis is that he “ceased” creating on the seventh day. When the Israelites got in trouble for violating the Sabbath day against God’s express command, they didn’t get in trouble for not napping. They got in trouble for not ceasing their regular activities of providing for themselves. They were to trust the LORD to provide for their needs. But they didn’t. (See Exod. 16:4-30) They were trusting in their own efforts. This reality has significance for us, doesn’t it?

Finally, Moses wrote, “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Gen 2:3) What this means is that God wasn’t just giving the Israelites a day off from work. He made it holy or set apart for a holy purpose. God set apart the seventh day for it to be a day when people cease from the self-absorbed routine work and focus on God.

One question that occasionally arises among Christians sensitive to doing what is good and pleasing is, “Do we as Christians have to observe the Sabbath?” There are some traditions that believe they do have to observe the Sabbath along with other requirements of the Mosaic Law. However, most mainline Christian church denominations understand that the Law, which could never be perfectly obeyed by people, was truly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (Rom 8:1-8 for one example). Therefore, we who are trusting in the one who could and did completely obey the Law are “in Christ” and not under the Law of “Sin and Death.” (The Mosaic Law) Some Christians argue that the first day of the week is the Christian’s Sabbath. I’m not sure I buy into this latter argument. However, I think we could all agree that the idea of ceasing from our own efforts to focus on the LORD and worship him is a good and necessary discipline.

Perhaps this week, we can cease from our busyness and give praise to God that he has made all things good and that he provides for our needs. We can prayerfully reflect upon how he is completing the work of transforming us into the image of Christ.