"And on the Seventh Day" Genesis 2:1-7

Episode 002

Title: “And on the Seventh Day…” Text: Genesis 2:1-7 Theme: The Sabbath originated and creation summarized Key verse: Genesis 2:2

Introduction:  We come to the second Chapter of Genesis where we are introduced to some important subjects: the Sabbath, the garden of Eden, making of woman, and the institution of marriage. Before we get any further let’s turn our attention to an important principle of studying the Bible, the first mention principle. The First mention principle – “that principle by which God indicates in the first mention of a subject, the truth with which that subject stands connected with in the mind of God.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill “This is a law we gave long since noted, and have never yet found it to fail. The first occurrence of a word, expression, or utterance, Is the key to its subsequent meaning, or it will be a guide to ascertaining the essential truth connected with it.” – Dr. A.T. Pierson Remember, Genesis is the book of beginnings. There are a lot of first in Genesis. Today, we are going to look at the first seven verses in Chapter two which focus on the Sabbath and a summary of the previous chapter, the creation.   Outline:  Sabbath: v.1-3 The Creator and the Sabbath – v.1-3 Verse 1,2 - It’s important to note two key things in these verses;  God did not command man to rest. God does not give the sabbath as a duty to Adam. He will not give the Sabbath as a duty to man until the book of Exodus (more on that to come.) Genesis 2:1-3 is about God Resting, not man. God is not resting because He is tired or weary, He is resting because His work is finished. The Creation of the entire universe is now complete so God has set apart a day for His Rest. Note: Once sin enters the picture in Genesis Chapter 3 there is nothing else in the Bible regarding God resting. The Bible tells us that the Triune God becomes involved in man’s redemption. Verse 3 – God does two things to the seventh day; “Blessed it” “Sanctified” - set apart, consecrated.   Why? Because He rested from all His work. Rested - shaw-bath'; “to cause to cease, put an end to” The finished work of God was absolutely perfect. “Thus the Heavens and the earth were finished”

“‘It is finished!’ the words rang out at the close creation as, on the cross, they rang out again at the close of redemption. There is a great satisfaction in surveying a finished work. God stood back, as it were, to cast an admiring, contented eye over the finished work of His hands.” – Dr. John Phillips

We will look back at the finished work of God and this word “Resting”, but before we do let’s look at the Children of Israel and the Sabbath.

The Children of Israel and the Sabbath – Exodus 20:8-11 Exodus 20:8-11 8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10But 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: 11For 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.”

God gives this to the Children of Israel, not Adam.  Exodus 31:16,17 “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” 

Nehemiah 9:13,14 tells us the Sabbath was given to Israel Nehemiah 9:13-14 13Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: 14And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:

Genesis 3:1-3 is not giving man the Sabbath it is God blessing and setting apart the seventh day because He Rested from His creation.

The Christian and the Sabbath (How does this apply to the Christian?)  The Sabbath is a symbol of the believer’s Rest in Christ - Hebrews 4 Hebrews 4:4-10 4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as G