Have you ever wondered why?
– Because He loves you –
Pick up a Bible. Hold it in both hands above your lap and repeat the sentence: “This book (is) the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom; this is the Royal law; there are the lively oracles of God.” With these words the Moderator of the Church of Scotland hands a Bible to the new monarch in Britain’s coronation service. These words echo the King James Bible translators, who wrote in 1611: “God’s sacred word…. Is that inestimable treasure that excelleth all the riches of the earth” – preface ESV.
What does it tell us? All human right and wrong are based in this Book. All knowledge of constructive moral or destructive immoral parameters are described here. It has given us the weekly cycle of seven days. It lays the foundation of all sanitation, the knowledge and ability of forgiveness, of selfless love, the worldwide social stability through human families and reveals the great respect the Author and Sustainer of life has for women, children, the weak, the downtrodden, the animals, the flora, our freedom and our future.
Why was it written? Out of love’s desire for the best good of mankind and all His creation ( Jn. 3:16; Deut. 4:6,40;5:29,33; 6:24; 7:12; 10: 13; Jonah 4:11; the seven losses from sin noted in Gen 2,3 restored in Rev 2,3 ).
Who or what is the subject of the Book?: Matthew, mentioned five times? Adam mentioned 30 times? Peter mentioned 176 times? Abram/Abraham 301 times? David mentioned 1085 times? Or maybe Israel/Israelites 2600 times? Each important, yes, but mentioned only in regard to how God choose to and was able to deal with and through them for the good of mankind in a specific time of history. This “most valuable thing that this world affords,” was written mid-earth’s history beginning towards the end of the patriarchal time. Patriarchs who had began to the spread the gospel early in their history (Genesis 4:26) but failed. Written mostly just prior to and during the Nation system for the spread of the gospel and in the beginning of the Worldwide Church, as the house of the Nation church was being to be “left to them desolate” (Mt.12:25, Lk. 13:35). Written to tell us about Elohim the plural- triune God, collectively or singularly mentioned by name, or by personal pronoun greater than 33,000 times. This is not counting the 50 or so character descriptions such as the Bright and Morning Star, the Captain of the Lord’s hosts, the Good Shepherd…etc. It might be noted here that there are only 31,102 verses in the whole common Bible text! This “inestimable treasure” was without question written to tell us about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The scripture begins with “in the beginning God ( Elohim – plural in form, singular in meaning ). John. 1:1-3 reveals that the pre-incarnate Jesus was the active agent in this Creation and was working through the Holy Spirit (Gen.1:2). Then the Book ends with “I, Jesus…” Rev.22:16, “…the Spirit of Elohim…” Rev. 22:17, then Greek “theos,” the One True God Rev.22:18,19— in typical chiastic form —just before John’s closing remark. The scripture is, God’s Story from beginning to end, the Good Message about The Good Messenger ( Anglo-Saxon and Greek meanings of “euangelion” ).
Back to the beginning. It has been well noted that the entire Bible’s message is contained in Genesis chapters 1, 2, and 3, and the remainder the Book is but commentary. Some will say chapters one through three tell of the creation and fall of man. That’s one story line, but another story line is that these chapters tell us about God! He is mentioned 42 times in the first 35 verses of Genesis.
We will look at just one aspect – one reality – originating here. To begin with we see that God formed, then filled our earth with things/material substances inanimate and animate over six evenings and mornings ( “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made… He spoke and it was done” Ps. 33;6,9 ). God claims Godhood in that He created –– our place for us, and us. He uses, is designated or described directly by, that claim as Creator at least 66 times in 24 books of the Bible: “He who created the heavens, He is God” Isa. 45:18, or “I worship the Lord, the God who made.” Jonah 1:9, ( look up Jer. 10:10-12). This sets Him apart from all would be, or false gods Job 38-41. This is why the adversary pedals evolution to obfuscate our topic for today, to undermine His Godhood, human’s divine parenthood (Mt.6:9, Lk. 3:38), and His Father’s loving parental character – which was Christ’s favorite leitmotiv/theme while on earth.
God is mentioned 4 times on each creation day one through five, via noun or personal pronoun. Finishing each day noting “it was good.” Then in the crowning creational act of His six workdays – Gen.1:26-32 — the creation of mankind in His character and physique ( His “image” ), He, GOD, is designated sixteen times, thats 2.6 times per verse. God then said it was “very good (complete)” in 1:32. That work completion was affirmed and reaffirmed in Genesis 2 verses 1-3, five times with “finished”x2, “by,” “had,” and “from”- all past tense. Leaving no room for gradual theistic change.
Verse two of chapter 2 also begins our topic which is continued in verse 3. Verse two introduces us to the seventh day of creation week at its onset, thus not like the beginning 6 days of creation introduced at their ends, after forming and filling each day by “And there was evening and morning the..x..day”. This day though, the 7th, God introduced and formed a space in time filling it at it’s beginning not with material things inanimate or animate but with Himself. He rested –– simple, real — He blessed, meaning richly with multitudinous blessings, bestowing divine favor and happiness. He made it holy – dedicated, set apart – by God’s pure presence (the foundational meaning of Holy).
How many have birthdays? Birthdays, when truly celebrated, involve thanking and celebrating primarily the ones and with the ones who brought us unto the world, graciously nourished, protected, sheltered and blessed us? A day when we invite others to be thankful and rejoice with us. But what if no one comes? Too busy, just bought a car, had tickets to a concert, a game, so you celebrated by your self… it’s your day! And this seventh day is the crown of God’s 6 day work week. Remember God was mentioned four times each creation day one through five, then 16 times on day six as He created humans with the concentration of the latter at 2.6 references per verse. But here in the crowning day of creation, the birthday celebration of the creation of the earth and us. A time for relationship with our Creator, this seventh day, there are 10 references to divinity in just two verses –– That’s 5 references per verse. When a scientist sees a concentration of a specific factor he recognizes something important is going on. This day, this Seventh day was set apart with a concentration of divine presence, “MADE HOLY”, by relationship with Him. I find only 9 other similar concentrations of divine presence in scripture: Gen. 1:26-32 at the creation of mankind. Gen. 2:23 with the creation of woman. Ex. 15:2 with Moses’ ode of deliverance from the slavery of Egypt. Mt. 27:46 when on the cross Christ cried out “Eloi, Eloi lama sabacthani?…My God, My God….” And Jn. 1:1,2 defining the Creator with, “in the beginning was the Word….” These six are within the first 65 books. Then in the book of Revelation, the 66th book, the revelation of the divinity Jesus the Christ, resides the remaining four concentrations of divinity. Rev. 1:1 with “the revealing of Jesus, the Anointed One ( the Greek meaning of “Christ” )…” Rev. 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega…”. Rev. 21:6,7 “It is done…”, and Rev. 22:12,13 “I am coming …” Each of these total 10 are significant historical or understanding mileposts in the history of God and mankind, and each filled with references to His presence.
God, ( who became the Son of God and Son of Man in a Bethlehem stable Heb. 1:5, 5:5 ) — the Word of God Jn 1:1-3 – here in Gen. 2:2,3 formed a space in time, gave it His blessing and make holy the Seventh day with His presence. Resting to take time for relationships with us, His created. And we joined Him in our first hours of existence! “The plans I have for you are of peace” Jer. 29;11 and “rest” Ps 116:7; Mt 11:28,29; Heb 4:9. And “I the Lord do not change” Mal. 3:6. We might change, our day of worship, but His approbation, His gift, His blessing and and presence on His day has not and does not change. This is the day – the one and only – that David speaks of in Psalms 118: 24 “this is the day that JEHOVAH made”—the space in time His presence made and makes (Jehovah means “MAKER’S and is used 6850 times in scripture’s Old and New Testaments ). Two thousand years later it was still “JEHOVAH’S (the Maker’s) Sabbath” x 4 in Exodus 16:23- 29. We say” you made my day.” Here Jesus made His day (Ge 2:2,3), made by Jesus Christ himself, the Living Word ( Jn. 1:1-3, Eph. 3:9, Heb. 1:1,2 ). It is” JEHOVAH’S Sabbath” of Lev. 23:25, 38, and Ex. 20:10. Defined in the original language at least 20 times in 11 books as “JEHOVAH’S (the LORD’s, theMAKER’S) Sabbath.” Also referred to 12 times as “My Sabbath” in scripture. God through Isaiah literally states, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your own business on the holy day of the LORD and call the Jehovah’s [ the Maker’s] Day a delight, I will…” Isa 58:13 [my literal translation]. This being set in the powerful context of God’s re-statement, Isa 58 verses 6-12, of His interest in our participation in true social justice – relating it to “My holy day…the Sabbath … the LORD’s holy day”. Jesus Himself said while on earth that He is “LORD (MAKER)of the Sabbath” Lk. 6:5, Mk. 2:28. Lord of the Seventh day Sabbath relational time, a time of reveling in the reality of salvation from ( Ex.20:2, Deut. 5:6, Mt. 18:21-26 — the word for salvation in Hebrew, Greek, and English all have their foundation in the past and Christ illustrated that in Mt. 18:23-35 ). Yes, salvation from sin (Israel from the slavery of Egypt) – if one dosen’t deeply appreciate their salvation from their sin they’ll never experience full salvation. The seventh day Sabbath is a time symbolic of, and conducive to not just justification (from the past) but sanctification which is present ( Heb. 4:10, Lev. 20:8, Eze. 20:1, if one does not grow daily he recedes), and the 7th day sabbath is a taste of eternity’s rest – future Rev. 21:3. Paul encourages us to enter into, with our Creator — God’s, My, His — rest, repeated 12 times in Hebrews chapters three and four written around 65 years after Christ’s death. No Christ did not change the Sabbath –equating this Sabbath rest in Hebrews as an ongoing foretaste of eternal rest.
It’s not only speaks of the past, the present ,and the future by it’s perpetual – it’s weekly Gen 3:8, Lev. 23:38 reveals along with Jesus in Lk. 4:16 and Paul in Acts 13:14 & 18:4, His presence made and still makes the day. The Hebrew word “made” is action past, present and future. Revel in the inherent symbology and His Presence filling the 7th day. Leviticus 24:8 reveals the Old Testament sanctuary is symbolic of the plan of salvation Ps. 77:13. The Bread of His Presence on the north or right as one entered the holy place — The New Testament Bread of Life of Hebrews 6— was there renewed weekly on Jehovah’s Day with us. Today a mostly unrealized opportunity in the greater Christian community. Looking back in celebration of a completed creation, identifying, meeting with and being nourished by the Artist, the Scientist, the Author and the True Parent, yes, the Creator. And our Redeemer [Gen 3:15, Jn 19:30, 20:9]. Looking around then and now to the Truth, the Way, the Light – the One who will / has / and is saving ‘from’ by forgiving then re-creating — Eze. 20:12 — us back into His image according to my/your choice and willing submission. Looking forward to the One who is returning with a deep longing to take each home, yes to live with Him in His home forever (Jn. 14: 1-4) . A time Isaiah the gospel prophet stated in chapter 58 is the foundation for all generations and in chapter 56 as the foundation for all nations.
We are instructed to “Remember the Sabbath day” Ex. 20:8, to meet with Him, to rest with Him on His day, “made for man” Mark 2:27, as was all of Creation, “for our own good” Deut. 10:13 — as were all His instructions, (commandments and statutes, prescriptions). Instructions that were in place and recorded as known via oral history at least 430 years prior (Gen. 18:19, 26:5) to the mana test in the desert in Ge 19 prior to the writing of them on stone at Sinai. And since Paul says without law there is no sin, Cain Gen 4:7, the antediluvians Gen 6:5, or the Sodomites could not have been judged sinful if there had not been known direction, instruction, code, law. ( Merriam- Webster’s dictionary appropriates the same understanding by recording the first date a word was in print, yet noting that it’s use could have been occurring for an unknown extended time prior to being in print – Ninth New Collegiate 1988 edition p 17 ). Here the seventh day invitation for all to celebrate with our Creator was since the creation of the world. No where in scripture is it termed the Hebrew or Jewish Sabbath – a people group that didn’t appear on the world scene till ~2500 years after creation!
We are invited, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”– sabbath — Mt. 11:28. If you’re laboring on your own for salvation and laden with guilty inability, then go to the feast you’ve been invited to— Mt. 22:1-14, Lk. 14:15-22, Rev. 19:9. To the feast of His presence of which “everything is ready” both weekly from the beginning and eternally and “worship Him who made…” Rev 14:7.
Why? Why keep the 7th day as a Sabbath—a day of relational rest? So that, “ye may know that I am the LORD (the MAKER) your God” Ex. 20:20 who has been gracious to you Ex 20:1, and “that I am the LORD (the MAKER) that doth sanctity you” Ex. 31:13. Sanctify means to separate by making holy—separate from this selfish, greedy nature and world (“in the world but not of the world”) by making you holy via His presence, internally. Being recreated by Christ in us, His character via the fruits of the Spirit. Meeting with Him on His day reveals that you respect, admire, honor, affirm, submit and rejoice in relational enjoyment with and growth in Him, desiring to be like Him— being remade into His image.
Some misguided souls say Christ’s seven Sabbath healing miracles while He was on earth annihilated this Sabbath sanctity. Far from desecrating that day He revealed again what the Sabbath was made for—relationship and relationship’s health, the social equalizing of all, the healing of relationships, of body’s, of minds, of souls, of families —saying: “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath Day” Lk. 6:9. Freeing it from the self focused legalistic yoke that had been placed on it. Others feel they can celebrate/worship on another day not hallowed, not blessed, not made holy with His divine presence. Yet in what way is this sacrifice of time for worship different than that of Cain’s of Genesis 4, or Nadab and Abihu’s “unauthorized fire” of Lev.10:1-3; Ex.30:37; Jer. 6:20. Others say the Sabbath was made for man, and it was – for our benefit — our blessing to experience relationship with Him (and others) on His day. Just like the earth was made for man, and similarly Deut. 10:14 and Ps 24:1 reminds us that, “The earth is the Lord’s and every thing in it.”
All of the other six days God set apart for and encouraged secular work on Genesis 2, Ex. 20:8-11, and He has never changed that. The seventh day Sabbath is not legalistic, nor is it Hebrew or Jewish. It is for the victor, the over-comer, the true Israelite of Gen. 32:28, being remade into His image. The Bible reveals its initiation at Creation around 2000 years prior to the existence of even Abraham, and approximately 2500 years prior to Sinai. It is relational time between the Creator God and man – symbolic, real and beneficial.
Others today misunderstand whose day it is as a full seven new versions of the Bible since 2000 AD have replaced “the LORD’S ( translated literally the Maker’s) Day” (the Greek is possessive, a day belonging to) in Rev. 1:10 — with the word “Sunday”— a day not His and without His special presence since there is no other day, including Sunday which scripture records as hallowed by His presence . A day He set aside for work [“six days shalt thou labor…”Ex 20:9]. Putting in the place of the Maker’s day, a day with a long history of ancient pagan sun worship! For mere humanity to reschedule a divine appointment on their own, a day given for their own good, no matter what their rationale – with a time of their own choosing – is at best a form of ignorance in their field of human expertise or a form of at least passive aggression. That’s a rebellion frightfully similar to Nadab and Abihu’s “unauthorized fire” of Lev. 10:1 (margin ESV) likely to lead or confirm many in a “bypass meadow” as noted in John Bunyon’s Pilgrims progress. [ try changing the time of your next physicians visit or airline flight by just showing up a day late!] Consider also Dt. 4:2 and Rev. 22:18,19 which give strong words for those who add or subtract from the Holy Word, or Jer. 7: 31 which speaks to activities “which I did not command, nor did it come to my mind”.
Also some Christian friends seem quite confused by their interpretation of Romans 6:14; Gal. 4:5 and 5:18’s “not under.” Interpreting “not under” as meaning we are free of/from “the law” by using “under” as per one of Strong’s definitions of the original Greek word #5679 and one of Merriam Webster’s 9th Collegiate Dictionary’s definitions: “authority, subject to”. If that is so, we are antinomians and thus followers of the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thes. 2:3-9; 1Jn. 3:4). Yet no nation, kingdom, club, sport, business or pilot – whether ship or plane – operates long without law, human or natural. If this definition is right, as Christians we do not need to esteem God, our parents, nor others, nor their goods. Nor could the kingdom of heaven/God exist since He is the “Lawgiver” (OT Isa. 33:22; NT Jas. 4:12). This understanding is only repudiated by all of Scripture and all continuing reality. However if you understand “not under” as “not short of some quality” or “not falling short of a standard” as per another of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible’s definitions of the same original Greek word #5679 and M. Webster’s New Ninth Collegiate dictionary definitions of “under” 1:2 & 2:4 meanig the same “not short of some quality or not falling short of a standard, then it’s in line with Paul’s repeated theme of being fully forgiven, justified, “not falling short of a standard”, therefore “under no condemnation” (Rom. 7:1; 8:1) because of God’s grace through faith in Christ’s death for us on the cross.
Some others are confused on Col. 2:16 where Paul’s true emphasis is not on diet, religious festivals, New Moons or the Sabbath day but on we humans “not judging”! Yes, there are both beneficial and destructive things to eat or drink or which day to rest on in our Circaseptan (7 day) Rhythms known and scientifically recognized since the eairly 1990’s and observed and documented not only in multiple human body systems but also in multiple living organisms including other mammals,fish, birds, insects and in the geomagnetic activity of earth. Paul is not saying that there isn’t better or less than best, but that no one is to judge another – God is their judge, we are to love.
Confusion comes again on Col. 2:14 in “having canceled the written code….that was against us” when interpreted as the 10 Rules/Commandments/Instructions (equal interpretations of the Greek) given verbally and inscribed on stone by God’s own finger in whom “there is no shadow of turning” Jas.1:17, which are elevated in Ps 119, referred to over 170 times in scripture, and their earthly keeping in the last years of earthly time reaffirmed in Rev. 12:17 and 14:12. Since when is the esteem of our Creator/Divine parent against us, or honoring our earthly parents and not stealing, killing or coveting (note Deut 4:6,40; 5:29,33; 6:2)? They are for us, to keep us from destroying all that could be precious and beneficial to us. Paul without question is speaking, in immediate context, to the “gentile” Colossian believers as he had to the “gentile” Ephesian believers in Eph. 2:14, that the temple wall separating the “gentiles” from closeness to God was broken down. And embraces the preceding “He forgave us (Colossian gentiles)” in verse 13 thus “canceling the written code (guilt) against us” of vs. 14 ( “us” meaning in Christ’s words “all nations” Isa.56:7; Mk 11:17). Another key to this verse’s understanding is found in Joshua 24:22-27 and the succeeding verse of Col. 2:15 when related to Eph. 6:11,12, speaking of our rebellion, the “kosmokrators”, the cross’ triumph and forgiveness. As truth is truth when viewed from any angle we may look at Paul’s instruction here as to all Christians ie. we all have sinned and are sinners (1 Jn. 1:8-10; 2:1-5) as well as saints (sinners with their eyes on Jesus and their feet on the upward path) and the Law is a mirror (James 1:23-25) pointing out sin (our relationship fractures and behaviors that begin the process of death) and He, Jesus the Christ ” canceled the written code against us so that we are not, and do not need to be, under the law (“not short of some quality”) by purchasing and offering forgiveness. Then via the Holy Spirit placing the law into our hearts (sanctification, being recreated/transformed into His image Gal 5:22, 2Pe 1:3-11, 2Co 3:18) we live, so “sin has no more dominion over” us, Ro 6:14. Thus we are not under the law’s condemnation (“not falling short of a standard”). This understanding is a parallel to Galatians 3:23-29;4:1-7; and Deut. 31:26’s description of the law as a schoolmaster (supervisor) until by faith we accept His forgiveness and the law is replaced by the implanting of His character in our hearts and we grow out of probation’s need of supervision. Again there’s confussion on Romans 14:5 which say’s “one man considers one day more than another….each one should be fully convinced in their own minds”. Here Paul is encouraging each again, not to judge another on the day they keep but to study the scriptures for themselves, like the Bereans of Acts 17, to be fully convinced in their own minds of what is right.
The apostle’s post resurrection Sabbath observance on the seventh day was recorded with the same frequency in post resurrection scriptural record (1 ref. per 12 pages) as were all recorded references to the Sabbath in the OT. And when the author of Hebrews chose a rest day that remains it was the Seventh day Sabbath not dies Solis. Yet one must remember though that one can be there with Him -‘keeping’- the right day, but if approached with the wrong attitude (a reality based on one’s picture of and submission to, or lack of it to God) as many did in the times of Isaiah and Hosea, (“I cannot bear your evil assemblies” Isa. 1:13, Hosea 6:6), or as in Christ’s time when the Seventh-day keeping Jews delivered the Christ -the Anointed One- up to be crucified — you have not/are not/and cannot benefit fully from the relational opportunity afforded! Christ illustrated this in his Luke 15:11-32 parable of the loving Father and 2 lost sons. One who originally chose his own way, yet came humbly back and the other older son who abided by his Father’s days and directions but with a wrong understanding of, and thus chosen attitude about his Father. Yes, one may “do” His will not from an internal sense of relational appreciation, thankfulness and delight even today.
Christ again illustrated both of the above possibilities with the man who came to a wedding feast with his own righteousness, not Christ’s, which was freely available Mt. 22:1-14.
In Luke 14:16-24 Christ told a parable of himself inviting the people whom resided in his land, to a banquet – a banquet with and of his presence – and many choose not to come. They appreciated his governance to the degree of being in His land, but did not come to relate and respond in love with and to Him on the day of His banquet of love, His Day, and thus obtain all He desired to offer. The reality of entering into that rest fully –mentally, morally, physically, and spiritually ”remains” (Heb. chapters 3&4 tell us) for us.
The LORD’S day, Jehovah’s day, the crowning invitational repeating reality of relational love, made by Jesus the Creator Jn. 1:1-3 & Gen 2:2,3, the Anointed One of Daniel 9:25,26 & Mt 1:1 & Acts 5:42. (This latter being confirmed as such more than 565 time in the New Testament via the Greek word “Christ” or the Hebrew word Messiah both meaning “the Anointed One”). A day for divine-human interactive friendship / fellowship.
If one wants more evidence consider this. Genesis 2:2,3 initiating the LORD’S Day, the day Elohim rested, blessed, and made holy, the Makers day, is a template, a pattern, for Revelation 1:10 (when John was in vision on the LORD’S {MAKER”S] day. And Rev. 1:10 is a reflection, an overlay, a mirror image of Genesis 2:2,3. This becomes clearly apparent when you recognize Genesis 2 verses 2 and 3 occupy a spot 2% into the book of Genesis. Revelation 1 verse 10 occupies the spot 2% into the book of Revelation. Chiastically ( a literary structure device) revealing the two are speaking of the same day! The day the LORD has made and continues to make holy with His presence. The day belonging to the LORD, His day, our Creator’s day, our Redeemer’s day. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it” Ps. 118:24! And further, one of the intricately woven themes of the Bible”s last book the Revelations, the Bibles last book, is found in another of it’s structure realities: a prologue ch.1, then 7 messages to those choosing to be or be with His people down the ensuing ages, represented by the churches in Asia Minor of chapters 2,3. This is followed by a roll of 7 historic/prophetic visions ending with a vision of heaven’s New Jerusalem – both patterned after the 7 day Creation week. Yet further still, in the exact middle of the roll of the 7 visions is Revelation 14:7 ( 7×2:7 ). With 164 verses before and 164 verses after! A call to “worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water,” – a reminder of Genesis 2:2,3 and Exodus 20: 11 — plus. A repeating and final call for an intimate relationship with our Creator.
Do we choose to worship in reality self, through the acquirement of things, power, pleasures, accomplishments, amusements, recognition, just going our own way on His day, or maybe we’ll just arrive on another day of our choosing ? As a previously practicing physician, if a patient came a day late to his appointment attention to his concerns would be due, to time constraints, at best truncated. No matter how self justified our passive aggression ( I need to…, I just…., well but…., it’s only…., I want…., well I think…, it’s a little thing…don’t be so picky) or plain rebellion, it falls short. It’s like trying to visit England’s Prime Minister. One can stop at 1 through 8 or 14 through 20 on Downing Street and find no one there. Or 9, 11 through 13 and find others, but only at Number 10 Downing Street will one find the Prime Minister.
The overall question is not, will we worship (esteem, spend our time admiring), we all worship self to a degree, also so called knowledge, hero’s, acquirements, pleasures, power and more, but whom do we desire and truly worship? WHO determines when – by His presence – and when determines WHO. By our willing, delighted submission, do we choose Elohim as worthy of our honor, respect, relational admiration, esteem and in joyful submission desire to meet with Him? Then we will do well to go when and where He is. If we don’t meet with Him now, how will we truly know Him or He us when He comes? Might Christ be speaking to us today in Isaiah 28:12, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest’ and ‘This is the place of repose’ – but they would nor listen”.
It started as the crown of Creation week given perpetually as a weekly reoccurring available relational joy and growth opportunity, a relational meeting space in time with our Maker/Redeemer. And it is also eternal, as on the earth made new Isaiah records in ch. 66 verse 23 that, “from Sabbath to Sabbath all flesh shall come to worship in my presence declares the LORD.” ( ESV and a translation of the “before” -Strong’s numbers 6440 +3807.1- as the phrase is translated in Genesis 4:16, Psalms 114:7 and Jonah 1:3 KJV ).
WHO determines when and when determines WHO. Is He lovingly waiting for you?
O “Come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel ( in the presence of ) the LORD our maker” Psalms 95:6. This will take your worship to a whole new level!
2021
There is a religion spun as scientific evolution. It deify’s power, death, and purposelessness, from a mindless, body-less, matter-less ‘intelligence’ termed “natural selection.” It is necessitated/perpetrated via a philosophical limitation placed on data interpretation, thus a religion, an interpretation limitation which has led to a 180 year fruitless ‘scientific’ search for even one transition form that stands the proof of time. This religion also uses/abuses time, time that has come up against another impossible wall, the wall of existing soft tissue in the deepest fossil layers. This along with the impossibility to explain the origins of highly complex interrelated, interdependent systems in physiology or biochemistry (such as the secularly estimated 37 billion, billion purposeful chemical reactions in a single human body cell per second) and ecology has made it need to gain and continue its existence by political power. A form of church-state alliance found in Nazi, Marxist, Communist, and now western republic forms of government. It stands opposed to the Christian Biblical religion of “life and life more abundant” John 10:10, based on the intelligence of an Indivisible Being in whose likeness we were made in Genesis 1:27. A religion/being, which/who deify’s the giving of selfless love, personified by Elohim (a singular noun in pleural form). It is a religion with a Divine Parent who created earth’s time, segmenting it into days marked by the sun, months marked by the moon, seasons determined by rotational distance from the sun. Our Divine Parent created space then filled it with symmetrical beauty and relationships, both non-human and human, and with usefulness to fulfill needs Genesis 1:29; 2:15. He then took another of the bite sized segments of time He had used for intelligent, purposeful artistic creation, and using it, tied a bow on the six day package. A crown of relational time. Relational time with our Divine Parent and with each other. A visitation/relational time predating sin, predating the patriarchs, thus Abraham by approx. 2000 years, and the Hebrew nation by approx. 2500 years. A time which would sweep around the earth like a wave traveling at 1000 miles an hour (the approx. speed of the earth’s rotation). It’s forward trough beginning at each 6th sundown for a time of physical rest Mathew 11:28, then opening the fullness of creational beauty with the 7th sunrise. All nature reveling in awe and gratitude together through the brilliant height of the wave of time as a multi-generational, now multi-national family in the richness of selfless love meet with their Maker. Ending the day as the soft curtains of gently lighted darkness falls in it’s receding trough, leaving not only the faithful promise of another sunrise for each of the succeeding six days of active labor but of the faithful return of the next 7th day with it’s blessing of relational time to spend. Time made holy by the presence of and the joy of relationship with our divine Parent, our Creator and each other. A time we will also in the future spend together with Him in our earth made new again, without sin Isaiah 66:23. Yes, His claim of being our God because He created is directly repeated/indicated more than 70 times in scriptures, besides the more than 170 direct references to this time of relational Sabbath with our Creator. He wants to get to know each of us better both now and then in ongoing eternally deepening relationships! This Earth came into being in either a symphony of jubilant praise and robust life through inconceivable intelligence, purpose and love (Genesis 1,2; Job 38:6,7), or through an incessant purposeless grinding of chance, suffering and death. The answer can be known and we have a choices available with different end results. James Russell Lowell had it right when he wrote that: once, in the strife of truth with falsehood comes to every man and nation the final moment to decide. Don’t miss the opportunity.
Sin (all that destroys life which comes only from God – Gen.1:30; Jn. 10:10) and all who have chosen to cling irreversibly to their sins, will be destroyed by the full unveiling, the brilliance (outshining glory) of God’s character of loving kindness at His second coming 2 These 2:8. The final coup de gra^ce (the finishing stroke) for sin and thus eternal death. The divine respectful granting of the guilty one’s chosen path that pays their chosen wages. Wages that come not from God (He offers eternal life) but earned by their sin. The full wages that have been held off by His divine grace. They are destroyed in an event that is the fire of eternal results Jude 7; Ps 21:9; Mt 3:12; Lk 3:17, 2 Thes 1:8-10; 2 Pe 2:6; Rev 20:9,14; 21:4. The divine wrath, spoken of in scripture, is the condensation into the English language of 19 Hebrew and Greek words. Their meanings are best described as “a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by injustice, resulting in granting the guilty their chosen wage of eternal extinction.” An event described variously and over 15 times as “gave up,” “gave over,” “turned over,” or a divine turning away with a heart of sorrow.
“This is the resting place, let the weary rest” and “This is the place of repose” – but they would not listen” Isaiah 28:12; Genesis 2:2,3; Exodus16:23; 31:5; 35:2; Leviticus 23:32; Exodus 20:10; Ezekiel 44:24 (definition; Sabbath: “a day…a period of rest” Strong’s Concordance). Hebrews 4:9-11 tells us the rest still remains for us to enter.
The term legalism (coined in 1864 by an American revolt against formalism) is often paralleled to the then all too common motivation of circa BC/AD Jewish Pharisees. Both properly used to describe a doing by felt necessity and show, as opposed to doing in the fullness of the Spirit (the how of the what), which would infuse the act from its foundation with the motives of mercy, grace and love. This was illustrated by Jesus the Christ when speaking with a rich young ruler who was keeping God’s instructions out of felt necessity to which He prescribed a foundational act which would encourage the right motivation, the how of the what by concerned love Lk 18:18-30. Again in speaking with the Pharisees He encouraged enlarging their giving from the penurious to the larger, weightier matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness — while not neglecting the seemingly insignificant Mt 23:23. In modern religion the term is often used to denigrate the application – the doing – of the fourth of ten “perfect” God given instructions/commands/prescriptions Ps 19:7 (no one says, ‘don’t be legalistic and refuse to steal my goods’). The modern term ‘legalism’ then, used scripturally would more appropriately be, if not totally descriptive of how and not what.
In God’s order a day begins with the evening as noted in each of the first six days of Creation Gen 1:5,8,13,19,23,31. (note: God is light Ezra 9:8; Jn 8:12; 1Jn 1:5; Rev 22:5…., so the light of the first 3 days is His creational presence and Isaiah records He can create darkness in 45:7 thus the first three evenings.) Then God added a seventh day to the previous six, designing it as a scheduled date with mankind, made holy by His presence Gen 2:2,3. A returning presence as noted in Gen 3:8a, when in the cool of the evening ( Heb. “breath of the day”)they heard a voice [likely singing Zeph 3:17]. A voice they knew by experience as the voice of God. Implicit is God keeping His promise of making another seventh day – not a third day nor a fifth day – holy by His presence. He who relished and still so enjoys an ongoing and deepening relationship with us. These were the first and second recorded dates of relational / ‘worship’ time! This mutual interlude was needed to be redeemed from near oblivion so was reintroduced to humanity approximately 2500 years later after its use (see prescription below), and abuse (with human thoughts continually evil Gen 6:5 and later no rest time allowed in Egypt by Egyptian slave drivers (Ex 5:5 JPS “Then Pharaoh said, look…you (Moses) are making them rest,” – Hebrew shabbat = sabbath rest). A date time reintroduced in Ex 19 with the giving og double mana on the sixth day and none on the seventh then in Ex 20:8 as the largest prescription (>1/3 of the ten) and at the chiastic apex of the then given ten short prescriptions (a meaning of the biblical Hebrew word “commandments” used over 160 times in scripture as per Strong’s Concordance word # 4687). The word prescription is defined in Webster’s 9th New Collegiate Dictionary as “the process of making a claim to something by long use and enjoyment,” “an ancient or long continued custom,” “a claim founded upon ancient custom or long ages of continued use.” A use, custom and enjoyment, yes, that started at Creation, and according to Isaiah 66:23 is to continue on through eternal ages, while the Bible communicates to us that, like the newly delivered Hebrews from Egyptian bondage Ex 12:12; 20:1, and like we from sin Lk 20:7, it is available to us even now in Hebrews 4:9-11.
In the OT 700 years before Christ or Paul, God’s vision of those keeping His Sabbaths were: “The mortal…the eunuch… the foreigner… all… and… all nations” Isaiah 56: 1-8. “His servants (are) all who keep the Sabbath…for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” Isaiah 56:1-8. Yet walls of hostility were built by the Jewish people Eph 2:14. In the NT God’s vision is: “For in Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision (being a Jew or non Jew) avails anything but a new creation...The Israel (victor/overcomer) of God“ from “all nations, tribes and peoples” Isa 56:1-8; Mt 11:17; Lk 19:16; Gal 6:16; Rev 5:9; 14:6.
The seventh day was and is a joyful relational commitment of the Creator of all humans to all humans, and of all creation to the Creator and all creation. Genesis 2:2,3; 3:8; Ex 20:10
Arks – Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines an ark as “something that affords protection and safety”. Biblically they are symbols of God’s divine presence and protection. The Old Testament ark (the Greek also means box) of: 1) Noah’s in Genesis chapters 6 thru 9; 2) the ark or box of the Testimony/Covenant/Commandments in Exodus chapter 25 then mentioned over 190 times thru Jeremiah chapter 3, and each mentioned again four times in the New Testament, were symbolic like; 3) the Creator’s time box of the seventh day of Genesis 2:1-3. The external/temporal marking the loving, comforting presence and spiritual protection/direction afforded us when we as humans enter, as did young Moses into his ark on the Nile in Exodus 2:3-5. Those first three arks are linked by Jesus in His Mathew chapter 24 discussion: 1) the 7th day Sabbath 24:20 (see also Luke 6:5; Ezekiel 28:12), 2) Noah’s ark 24:38, 3) the ark of the Testimony/Covenant/Commandments or “words” 24:35 (see Deuteronomy 33:2,3; Exodus 34:28, “the words of the ten commandments” -literally “ten words”). Each ark symbolically emphasizing the importance of what’s on the inside though materially/time exhibited when viewed on the outside. Like the next chapter’s (Mathew 25) further discussion of virgins*, talents**, or sheep/goats***, or the rich young ruler’s story of Mathew 19:16-21****, each reminding us it’s what’s on the inside that makes the outside truly of value. Then scriptures inform us there remain two arks for us in these last day as noted in the last part of the NT by 1) the heavenly temple ark of Revelation 11:19, with it’s contents (Deut 10:2) and with Deut 10:13 delineating the reality and benefits of being fully within [“for your own good”]. This is made a reality for us by Him being within us as noted in Jn 14:17; 17:23; 15:7; Gal 2:20; Philip 1:21; Col 1:27. This is reinforced in Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 as they speak of the instructions inside the ark of the covenant. Re-reminding us of 2) the seventh day time ark that was re-introduced in Heb 4:1-11 with “there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God”. A time ark of His presence and protection especially in these last days with that time signature of our Creator highlighted in Rev 14:7 “worship Him that made”. His name is Jehovah – meaning Maker. We would do well to not ignore the cautions of 2 Peter 3:17 “beware lest ye also be…led away with the error of the lawless…” – a proper understanding of Paul does not leave us lawless – and Revelation 22:19 not to add or “take words away from this book”. The Bible invites our faith in and faithfulness to Jesus – the Giver of the grace of creation and the grace of a rhythmic time of relationship, of the protective reminders of the Ten Commandments, the grace of redemption and the grace of hope in our soon to be coming King – inspired and enabled by the internalized faith and faithfulness of Jesus. * Though all ten young women were virgins only five were adequately prepared. ** All servants had talents but it was how they used them that counted. ***All appearing similar but only the first group had allowed divine kindness to flow through them to others in need. **** The rich young ruler took the prescription/instructions/ commandments as a duty not as an internal, passionate compassion for others.
I’ve counted seven major recorded interactive instances of our Creator God’s presence with the human race. Six on earth and one yet to be in heaven, with each visit either establishing or reminding us of His 7th day promised relational presence for family council/family worship/family meeting time. To whit:
1. Creation :
His claim to human parentage/Godhood to humans, thus in interested love, He establishes a promised – His first promise to humankind – family [Lk 3:38]relation time: Godhood/Parenthood: “He who created…he is God…and there is no other,” “the God who made the world He is the LORD,” the angels in heaven worship saying, “You alone are Lord, You made.. and the multitudes of heaven worship you” Isa 45:18; Acts 17:24; Neh 9:6. Family: “son of Adam, son of God” Lk 3:38. Time: In the beginning God created – formed then filled – six days and on the seventh day He formed the day by resting and filling it with His presence making it holy, blessing the day by setting it apart for continued use, implicit by the continuation, the perpetuity of each of the previous six days formings/fillings – here His lilting relational presence with His creation Gen 1:1; 2:1-3; Ex 20:8,11,12.
2. The faithful God’s first recorded relational family weekly visit: Ge 3:8
Establishing the reality of ongoing relational rhythm:
“..Then the man and his wife heard the sound (likely singing Zeph 3:17) of the LORD (MAKER) God as he walked in the garden in the cool of the day” Gen 3:8. The cool (Heb “breath” of the day for three reasons was likely evening since: 1] biblically evening began and begins each day, 2] “breath”: Merriam Websters first definition of breath is “air filled with a fragrance or odor, a common trait of evening air and 3] He, their Creator, was there in the garden meeting with all humanity at the beginning of a seventh day as He had promised to be. Perpetual as the other 6 days were and continue to be! The foundation of all the meanings of “holy” is ‘the presence of God’ and if it were any other day’s beginning He would be making it holy by His special presence, yet there is not the slightest indication of such.
3. Exodus: another major divine – human interaction in which the 7th day Sabbath was intimately tied was:
At the exoditic salvation of the Hebrew people from Egypt [Ex 15:1-3] we note 25 references to the desired re-establishment of Hebrew worship/sacrifice/rest recorded in the God/Moses/Pharaoh interchanges of Ex ch 3-12. Then we note the re-establishment of that worship as the 7th day Sabbath rest in 7 references in Exodus 16:22-26 durning their first days in the wilderness prior to Sinai.
4. Sinai:
It’s major, central, covenantal/testimonial point being a reminder of His relational rhythmic 7th day, pan-creational value/social leveling, family meeting and freedom (Ex19:4; 20:2), celebration time:
“Remember the Sabbath day by cherishing our time together. Six days shall you labor…but the seventh day is the LORD’S (the Maker’s)sabbath…The LORD (the Maker) blessed the day of Yahweh (the Maker) making it holy via His presence”. (italicized my condensed translation from the Hebrew of Ex 20:8-11 & Isaiah 58:13).
5. Tabernacle: To dwell among them.
The building of the first earthly tabernacle in Exodus 35 for God to tabernacle with man, was immediately preceded and introduced (verses 1-3) by the cheerful buoyant cadence of the 7th day rest with the Lord. A day for rest, unparalleled in any recorded ancient civilization where gods created humans so they could rest . A sanctuary in time, to be an integral then Hebraically solidified part of an intentional invitation for the people of all nations to join Ex 35:1-3. A time in which “all nations on earth will be blessed” Gen 18:18; Deut 4:6, via the temple, or synagogue becoming “…a house of prayer for all nations” Isa 56:7; Mk 11:17; Micah 4:1.5. As Karl Barth put it, “The characteristic of God that is revealed in the rest of the 7th day is his love.” He desires to be with His creation. And the apostle John revealed our appropriate response in 1John 4:16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”
6. With us (Mt 1:23) becoming our Redeemer (through His birth, life, death, resurrection HERE ON THIS EARTH):
Throughout His stay on earth the Son of God/Son of Man kept the rhythmic 7th day family relational time:
“On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue as was His custom” Lk 4:16, encouraging us “to walk in His ways” Deut 5:33, “even as He walked” 1Jn 2:6.
And His disciples, here Paul, followed suit, “as was his custom” Acts 17:2; (14:15 – 18:4).
7: With Him as our King:
“I am going to prepare a place for you…I will come back and take you to be with Me that you may also be where I am” Jn 14:3:
And there in heaven, “…from one sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down (worship KJV) before Me” says Jehovah (meaning “Maker”)” Isa 66:23 ASV, DYB,YLT .
Can His permanent, repeating, visitation/family get together time be made more clear? Yet God emphasized it six further times saying, “regard as holy the/my Sabbath” (literal translation of the Hebrew) in Ne 13:22; Jer 17:22,24,27; Eze 20:20; 44:24. The promise (“epangelia” translated “message” in 1Jn1:5 KJV) of entering His rest still stands” Heb 4:1. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with me” Rev 3:20.
The seal of the living God will be placed upon those who have sincerely and enthusiastically invited and welcomed Christ into their hearts (Rev 3:20) to dwell, so that they have become so settled into the truth intellectually, motivationally – fruits of the Spirit Gal 5 :22, ie. Christ in them – and thus experientially keep His prescriptions [commandments] from the heart Rev 12:17; 14:12 so that they cannot be moved. Their allegiance will in part be publicly demonstrated by their insistence to meet with HIM on HIS day, as noted here in scripture. “He (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith” Ro 4:11 [ an external sign of the internal relationship that brings righteousness]. Now, “the seal” today is not circumcision but: ‘The Lord hath (YLT) come to know (Strong’s) who are His” 2Timothy 2:19. When did He come to know them,? – from meeting with them on HIS weekly day of visitation, and living in them via the Holy Spirit Col 1:2. “Do not harm…until we have sealed the servants of our God” Rev 7:3 KJV. So “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples….to the Law and to the (sealed Isa 8:16) testimony (Ex 25:16; 30:26; Rev 15:5) if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them” KJV Isa 8:20. A seal according to Merriam Webster 9th Collegiate: “confirms, authenticates, determines indisputably.”
The seal of the Testimony, the Law of God, was stored in the Ark of the Testimony that was placed in the sanctuary of the Testimony and later viewed by John in his vision of heaven Rev 11:19 and 15:5. All seals reveal a mark of authority, thus the right to rule, so involve 1. Name 2. Office / Title, thus right to rule 3. Territory / Domain / Jurisdiction. The seal of the Testimony is then in the Testimony, which is often termed the Ten Commandments, and includes those three items: “THE LORD….MADE……HEAVEN AND EARTH”. Yes, His pan-scriptural claim for Godhood is that He made. Exodus 20:11. The seal then spoken of here in the new testament is, thus unmistakably, the fourth commandment inviting all willing to meet with HIM on HIS DAY, Gen 2:2,3, similar to Job’s ten children meeting in joy together on each of “their days,” deepening and rejoicing in their relationships with each other Job 1:4. A day of Joy as noted and defended in AD 1054 by Patriarch Michael Cerularius of the Eastern Catholic (Orthodox) Church. A day still awaiting our enjoyment.
2023
Portions of Exodus 20: 2-11 from Hebrew to basic English
…I AM The Maker your God who brought you out…of the house of slavery….Remember the Day of Rest and worship and cherish the presence of God. …the seventh day is the Maker’s Day of Rest…For in six days the Maker made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Maker filled the day of YAHWEH (Maker) with multitudinous blessings endowing it with a heightened state of happiness in an atmosphere of good fellowship making it holy with His presence.
Eight Verbs
A verb is the grammatical center, the act / the occurrence / the mode of being that expresses what is being said of a subject. Here we’ll look at eight verbs the Bible uses with the seventh-day Sabbath.
- Shabbat = physical rest – after six days of work. Genesis 2:2
- Nachi = tranquility, intellectual / mental rest. Ex 20:11; Dt 5:14
- Naphash= emotional rest / refreshed. Ex 31:17 ; 23:12
- Asa = to make – by doing loving things to / for and with others, going from 6 days of garnering to giving, bringing joy both to the receiver and the giver (Jms 1:27; Mt 12:12) Ex 31:16
- Kalah = finished or the reseting of a relationship, consummation, a weekly expression of His grace once again, making the 7th day Sabbath not merely an informational, duty or giving day, but an intimate transformational interactional day. Genesis 2:2
- barak = richly, multitudinously blessed, blessed with the life, and character of Christ, being reproduced in us by the Holy Spirit [Gal 5:22, Col 3:12, 2 Peter 1] Christ in us (being recreated back into His image [Ge 1:26,27] Col 1:27) There can be no greater blessing. Genesis 2:3
- Qadash = holy / hallowed = set apart because of /by His presence Genesis 2:3
- katapausis = a calming of the winds (implying ‘of strife’) Hebrews 4:9,10 “for the people of God.”
A true cathedral in and of time for non-material interrelationships, and a fountain of divine influences. A time first created for deepening relations then used additionally for re-becoming internally a child of the King, refit for the kingdom of heaven and for spreading the great news of HIS LOVE.
A refreshed AND REFRESHING look at Isaiah 58 – in an original Hebrew denotation and in contextual Hebrew connotation.
Isaiah 56: 2-7 introduces the Sabbath of the “MAKER” (the meaning of YAHWEH translated as LORD ) as does verse 2 of EX 20. Chapter 57 covers the nation of Israel ignoring nine of the ten instructions / prescriptions for life found in Exodus 20:2-11. The largest, most basic, most detailed prescription breach and remedy is given a full chapter coverage in chapter 58. These observations and prescriptions were written 1000 years after the instructions were given at Mt Sinai and 800 years before Christ. Vs 1a compare with Rev 14:6,7 as to what to cry aloud. The Israelites’ rebellion (Heb. singular) 1b defined again by Isaiah’s successor in Ezekiel 20:12,13, and their “sin” (in Heb – singular). Vs 2 the phrase “day after day” is literally “an era with certain characteristics”x 2. The phrase is appropriately translated in another place as “Sabbath after Sabbath”. In the week there is only one day with certain characteristics and that’s the seventh (see Ge 3:2,3). “Nation” is the Hebrew word “people,” thus including also those following Israel’s example since the Day was for “all nations” Isa 56:7. Commandments in Hebrew is singular: “command”. In fact all plurals in this chapter are singular in the original! This chapter from beginning to end is in singularity about the 4th commandment / instruction / prescription of Ex 20:8-11! The one instruction for life not covered in chapter 57. Vs 3 “Fasting,” afflicting, denying the body was the religious practice of all cultures surrounding Israel. It was used to assuage / pacify / appease their angry gods. Of course the Creator God had not approved this behavior because He has always been, is, and always will be a God of love. “Doing as they please,” and “demanding labor of their workers” (note God’s social justice of Ex 20:10) on The Day (and some of His expanded social justice in the ensuing three chapters of Genesis. In Vs 4 God points out that the way they were using the Sabbath led them away from God-like behavior. In Vs 5 God uses Israel’s word / action of “fasting” to communicate better with their current thinking pattern – (He is always trying new ways to get through to us). The word “only,” used twice here is not in the Hebrew. Fasting / affliction has a place on the Day of Atonement only. Not as appeasement but for a time of individual self denial to be used in self evaluation and soul purification Lev 16:29-31. Vs 6 reveals God’s type of fasting for the seventh-day Sabbath as loosening the “bands of lawlessness” ( ie. lawlessness is what happens without Ex 20:2-11 and entails following of the man of lawlessness1 Jn 3:4), relieving “the oppression of subjected people” from that lawlessness. (see Ps 72:4; Jer 21:12; Zech 9:8, Ge 3:15 Lk 4:18; Isa 42:7). Vs 7 feeding (see Ge 4:26 where “to call upon” comes from “to publicly declare” and “the name”means character or reputation, see Mt 28:19,20; Rev 14:6 Mt 5:6), clothing (Job 29, Neh 9:20,21). Vs 8 we know immune systems improve significantly with gratuitous thinking and giving, and the “Righteous One” (margin NIV), as with Israel of old, will go before and aft (Ex :13:21; Job 1:10; Lk 13:34). Vs 9 denies the common interpretation (misinterpretation) of verse one while John 3:17 affirms that, “He came not into the world to condemn.” “Stop pointing the finger” see Jms: 4:11; 1Pe 3:8,9. Vs 10 reinforces vs 6,7 (Lk 4:18; Isa 61:1;Mt 12:12; Mk 3:4) and prefigured Mt 5:46. Vs 11 Blessings promised when the instruction of Ex 20: 8-11 is willingly, gratefully, joyfully followed. [See the above Eight Verbs]. Vs12 “re-store / reestablish the everlasting desolate place… the foundation of all generations” (Ge 3:2,3 ; Isa 66:23. “Repairer of the broken stone (Hebrew “precious stone, gem, jewel” Mt 13:46) “wall,” Ez 22:30 “Wall” meaning “a structure that holds back pressure, a barrier, to provide cover (Merriam Webster 9th New Collegiate Dictionary). “Restorer of Street with Dwelling” (both singular in Hebrew), Street meaning “the way, the behavior” and Dwelling meaning “a place for a married couple to inhabit” see in light of Eph 5:31,32. Vs 13 meaning “not plying your own trade, interests, affairs” but “reckoning it” – the seventh-day Sabbath – “a [relational] delight”. Vs 14 Then joy, not fasting but feasting – food and drink – the Bread of Life and the Water of Life, and the “inheritance of your father Jacob.” [Jacob in wrestling with and holding on to God became, by God’s declaration, the victor, the overcomer of/in Ge 32:28 via the God defined meaning of the name “Israel”). This was God’s burning desire for his descendants, and now of the Overcomers (the Israelites if you will) of God, those who have wrestled with and held on to God for His blessing (Galatians 6:16; Rev 12:11; Ge 5:22; Col 1:27). The inheritance: The New Jerusalem.
May 2023
A FRESH LOOK AT GENESIS 3: 8 – THE PRIVILEGE, THE HONOR, THE LOVE
“And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done…Genesis 2:3” NIV.
In Genesis, the book of beginnings, the Creator God in Genesis 2:3 conferred “prosperity and happiness,” (the meaning of ) “blessed,” on a Creation crowning unit of time, setting it apart by making “it holy,” “sanctified” (S) thus bringing meaning and honor to time and life. This was His signature on His demonstrated love in His creation of this magnificent orb of life. Making the fourth of six divisions in human time (evening, morning, day and now week with yet to be revealed month and year). A signature, a sign, a symbol, a witness, and an expressed desire for relationship as “made it holy” implies, assumes, necessitates, if not demands His divine presence. What the seventh day in Ge 2:3 reveals about God looms large. His presence on that day will be as real as the creational realities of the preceding six days and will prove as faithful, as will each individual item and of creation on each succeeding or following day of earth’s history.
The intent of including all humanity in relational reciprocity in this rest is implicit in Ge 1:27 – 2:3 and made explicit in our text for consideration, Ge 3:8 – “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God [likely singing Zeph 3:17] as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day….” In “the cool, the wind, the breath” (S), [evening (MW)], “of the” [ a definite article also meaning “theo” or “God’s” since it is used in combined form (MW)], with Hebrew “yom” or “day” [thus a specified or established time (MW)], “the day” meaning “no other like it” MW. A phrase denoting a unique day belonging to the Lord. This understanding is repeated in places such as Ex 16:25; 20:10,11; Lev 23:38; Isa 58:13; Neh 9:14; Mk 2:28; and Rev 1:10. He is here recorded as faithfully coming to the Garden of Eden on His faithfully revolving seventh day, to be with, to relate. Reiterating and swelling the message of His creational love via relationship reciprocity. This revealed reciprocity [a shared or felt mutual exchange], on each seventh day is exceedingly more powerfully and loudly expressed by this demonstration via His presence than by any vocalization, and is here explicit with all existing willing humanity.
Later in earths history by exigent [very important, requiring immediate action] illustration in Ex 16:4-30 followed by the imperative vocalization of Ex 20:8-11 and a divinely handwritten epigraph Ex 24:12; 32:16, He powerfully reminded us of human’s mutuality in this unsurpassed opportunity. This creational crowning unit of time was divinely desired to become, through this newly forming nation, inclusive of all willing humanity as it had been meant to be in the patriarchal times, as the patriarchs in Ge 4:26 “called,” (“to proclaim or declare publicly the name” ESV margin) meaning the character of God, in pre-Noahitic flood witness of God’s love. This was again the assignment for the emerging nation (“You are my witnesses” Isa 43:10,12, and “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” Isa 56:6,7), and later our future witnessing assignment (Acts 1:8; Gal 6:16), for all who will say ‘yes Lord’, to His good will, to His loving way. [The name “Israel” foundationally means “overcomer,” thus an expression of encouragement and desire for the then nation coming on the world scene halfway through revealed time; and later for us “the Israel (overcomers) of God,” (see Gal 6:16; Jn 16:33; Rev 3:21; 1Jn 5:4; Rev 2:7; 3:21; 21:7) as we, peoples of all nationalities, took up and take up the twice fallen torch.
To put it another way, the reciprocity (mutual exchange) that is implicit (unexpressed but capable of being understood) in Genesis 1:26 – 2:3 is made explicit (leaving no question as to intent) in Genesis 3:8,9, exigent (requiring immediate action) in Ex 4:22; 5:5, 17; 7:16; 8:8,20; 9:13; 10:3,24; 12:16,31; 16:4-30 as the the forming nation of Israel was coming out of slavery, then imperative [expressive of a command (MW), instruction, prescription (S) ] in Exodus 20:8-11. An example carried on through the lives of the Son of Man and his disciples, as referenced 84 times in the NT, and on through James 1:22; 2:10; 1Jn 2:3-6 informing us “to conduct ones life as He conducted His” (my translation from the Gk) to Rev 12:17 for those “who keep the commandments” [instructions/prescriptions (S)] “of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” [that foundational testimony was and is that “God is love” 1Jn 4:8,16]. A relational love which was first demonstrated by and at creation (denied by the serpent in Ge 3:1-5, by the Hebrew people in Dt 1:27 “He hates us”NIV), then on to Rev 14:7 “Worship him who made heaven and earth…” NKJ, then eternalized in Isaiah 66:23, “from one Sabbath to another all flesh shall come to worship before Me” says the LORD” NKJ.
This blessing, this spiritual prosperity (Mt 11:28,29 “Come unto Me all ye that labor [six days shalt thou labor” Ex 20:9] “and I will refresh you at a resting place” (my translation from the Gk), then temporal prosperity was conferred (Ps 37:25 “I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread”KJV), and happiness (Ps 144:15, “happy is the people whose God is the LORD [“the MAKER” – the one who exists and causes existence” (S)], along with the promise of His presence, “made holy,” has never been withdrawn from “the day” nor applied to any other unit of time. Yes, it is true portions of Peter’s, Paul’s and John’s writings have been isolated out of immediate and or full context to confuse. 2 Peter 3:16 states, “Some things are hard to be understood… by which they that are without full knowledge and timid …. twist to their own destruction,” (my translation from the Gk).
But the gospel prophet forewarned, thus forearmed: “To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word they have no light of dawn” NKJV Isaiah 8:20. The law in this regard we know: Ex 20:8-11 “ Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy, six days shall you labor and do all your work but the seventh day is ‘the LORD”S Sabbath’” (literal Hebrew). A testimony is “an open acknowledgment of a fact, a public profession of religious experience, a first hand authentication of a fact” (MW)]. The verifying testimony of the Son of Man, a partner in creation Jn 1:1 in this regard was to meet with His God on His reoccurring co-creational day of rest. Here to rest is “to be free from anxiety or disturbance,” of spiritual “prosperity,” and relational “happiness,” (MW). A testimony of God’s love. And that iterating testimony of co-creator relational reciprocity is recorded fifty times in the four gospel. We are “to conduct our lives even as He conducted His life” 1 Jn 2:6 (my translation from the Gk). Thus “there remains” Heb 4:9, a reiterating human opportunity, unexcelled in privilege and honor. A faithfully repeating, revolving cathedral of mutual time with our Creator, now our Redeemer and our soon coming King. It began and was made explicit in the Garden. A rhythmic, reoccurring shared time of ever enlarging, eternally expanding relational love. Yes, “There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God for anyone (see 1 Tim 2:4) who enters God’s rest (see Ge 2:3) also rests from his own work (see Ex 20:8) just as God did from His. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest.”
Articles: “affixes used with nouns to limit and give definitions to the application” (MW). They are significant, as are possessive pronouns. Though they were rarely considered by the original KJV translators thus others following (see Young’s Literal Translation preface to the revised edition). Articles whether from word or thought inspiration and personal pronouns are truely of import. Is the call for a wife or your wife, a bike or your bike, my husband or your husband. Here under consideration is a day or the day. Throughout Christian scriptures men of God moved by the Holy Spirit repeatedly used the specific article “the” or personal pronoun My to identify the day God set aside for relationship. to whit: the Seventh day x2 Gen 2: 2,3; the holy day of the LORD Isa 58:13; the Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2:29; the LORD’s Sabbath x3 Lev 23:38, Ex 20: 10, 11; My rest x3 Heb 3:11, 4:3,5; a certain day Heb 4:7 (certain meaning: specific, fixed, settled, reliable [MW]); God’s rest Heb 4:10; His rest x2 Heb 3:18; 4:1, the LORD’s [the Maker’s (S)] day Rev 1:10.
Did the holy men of old write as they were moved by the Holy Spirit 2 Pe 1:21? Is it true that all scripture is profitable 2 Tim 3:16? Did God really mean what He said in Dt 4:2; Prov 22:18 and Rev 22:18 as He warned not to add to or take away from the words of this book?
As the Sabbath was the sign that distinguished the nation of ancient Israel when they came out of Egypt to enter their earthly Canaan, so it will be the sign that will distinguish God’s people as they come out from the world to enter the eternal heavenly rest. See Christ in it! The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’ (meaning to advance, rise, improve in condition MW) Rev 22 :17, that’s exigent!. “Do not delay…” Psalms 119:60 ESV, that’s imperative! It’s time to come out of hiding with Adam and Eve (Ge 3:8) and step into His presence humbly yet with courage.
A FRESH LOOK AT GENESIS 3: 8 along with 2: 2-3— THE PRIVILEGE, THE HONOR, THE LOVE
“And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done…Genesis 2:3” NIV. In Genesis, the book of beginnings, the Creator God in chapter 2 verse 3 conferred “prosperity and happiness,” [the meaning of “blessed,”] on a Creation crowning unit of time, setting it apart by making “it holy,” [“sanctified” (S)] thus bringing meaning and honor to time and life. This was His signature on His demonstrated love in His creation of this magnificent orb of life. Making the fourth of six divisions in human time (evening, morning, day and now week with yet to be revealed month and year). A signature, a sign, a symbol, a witness, and an expressed desire for relationship as “made it holy” implies, assumes, necessitates, if not demands His divine presence. What the seventh day in Ge 2:3 reveals about God looms large. His presence on that day will be as real as the creational realities of the preceding six days and will prove as faithful, as will each individual item of creation on each succeeding day of earth’s history.
The intent of including all humanity in relational reciprocity in this rest is implicit in Ge 1:27 – 2:3 and made explicit in our text for consideration, Ge 3: 8 – “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God [likely singing Zeph 3:17] as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day….”. In “the cool, the wind, the breath” (S), [evening (MW)], “of the” [ a definite article also meaning “theo” or “God’s” since it is used in combined form (MW)], with Hebrew “yom” or “day” [thus a specified or established time (MW)], “the day” meaning “no other like it” (MW). A phrase denoting a unique day belonging to the Lord. This understanding is repeated in places such as Ex 16:25; 20:10,11; Lev 23:38; Isa 58:13; Neh 9:14; Mk 2:28; and Rev 1:10. He is here recorded as faithfully coming to the Garden of Eden at the beginning of His faithfully revolving seventh day, to be with, to relate, making it holy with His presence. Reiterating and swelling the message of His creational love via relationship reciprocity. This revealed reciprocity [a shared or felt mutual exchange], on this seventh day is exceedingly more powerfully and loudly expressed in this demonstration via His presence than by any vocalization, and is here explicit with all existing willing humanity.
Later in earth’s history by exigent [very important, requiring immediate action] illustration in Ex 16:4-30 followed by the imperative vocalization of Ex 20:8-11 and a divinely handwritten epigraph Ex 24:12; 32:16, He powerfully reminded us of human’s mutuality in this unsurpassed opportunity. This creational crowning unit of time was divinely desired to become, through this newly forming nation, inclusive of all willing humanity as it had been meant to be in the patriarchal times, as the patriarchs in Ge 4:26 “called on the name of the LORD,” meaning (“to proclaim or declare publicly the name” ESV margin). Proclaiming publicly the name, the character of God, in pre-Noahitic flood witness of God’s undimmed love. This was again the assignment for the emerging nation (“You are my witnesses” Isa 43:10,12, and “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” Isa 56:6,7), and later our future witnessing assignment (Acts 1:8; 2Co 5:2 Mt 28:19), for those of all nations who have and will say ‘yes Lord’ to His good will and His loving way. The name Israel foundationally means “overcomer,” thus an expression of desire and encouragement for the then nation coming on the world scene halfway through revealed time; and later for us “the Israel (overcomers) of God,” (see Gal 6:16; Jn 16:33; Rev 3:21; 1Jn 5:4; Rev 2:7; 3:21; 21:7) as we, peoples of all nationalities, overcomers of selfishness by His willing grace and power, took up and take up a twice fallen torch.
To put it another way, the reciprocity (mutual exchange) that is implicit (unexpressed but capable of being understood) in Genesis 1:26 – 2:3 is made explicit (leaving no question as to intent) in Genesis 3:8,9, exigent (requiring immediate action) in Ex 4:22; 5:5, 17; 7:16; 8:8,20; 9:13; 10:3,24; 12:16,31; 16:4-30 as the the forming nation of Israel was coming out of slavery, then imperative [expressive of a command (MW), instruction, prescription (S) ] in Exodus 20:8-11. An example carried on through the lives of the Son of Man and his disciples, as referenced 84 times in the NT, and on through James 1:22; 2:10; to 1Jn 2:3-6 informing us “to conduct ones life as He conducted His” (my translation from the Gk) to Rev 12:17 for those “who keep the commandments” [instructions/prescriptions (S)] “of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” [that foundational testimony was and is that “God is (faithful) love” 1Jn 4:8,16]. A relational love which was first demonstrated by and at creation (denied by the serpent in Ge 3:1-5, by the Hebrew people in Dt 1:27 “He hates us”NIV), then on the cross He reminded us of that undeserved relational love, then re-reminded in Rev 14:7 “Worship him who made heaven and earth…” NKJ, (referring back to Ge 2:2-3; & 3:8-9). Then eternalized in Isaiah 66:23, “from one Sabbath to another all flesh shall come to worship before Me” says the LORD” NKJ.
This blessing in Genesis 2:2-3, this spiritual prosperity [Mt 11:28,29 “Come unto Me all ye that labor (six days shalt thou labor” Ex 20:9) “and I will refresh you at a resting place” (my translation from the Gk)], and temporal prosperity was conferred (Ps 37:25 “I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread”KJV), and happiness (Ps 144:15, “happy is the people whose God is the LORD [“the MAKER” – the one who exists and causes existence” (S)], along with the promise of His presence, “made holy” has never been withdrawn from “the day” nor applied to any other unit of time. Yes, it is true portions of Peter’s, Paul’s and John’s writings have been isolated out of immediate and or full context to confuse. 2 Peter 3:16 states, “Some things (of Paul) are hard to be understood… by which they that are without full knowledge and timid …. twist to their own destruction,” (my translation from the Gk).
But the gospel prophet forewarned, thus forearmed: “Tothelaw and tothe testimonyif they speak not according to this word they have no light of dawn” NKJV Isaiah 8:20. The law in this specific we know: Ex 20:8-11, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy, six days shall you labor and do all your work but the seventh day is ‘the LORD”S Sabbath’” (literal Hebrew). A testimony is “an open acknowledgment of a fact, a public profession of religious experience, a first hand authentication of a fact” (MW)]. The implicit and explicit verifying testimony of the incarnated Son of Man, a partner in Creation Jn 1:1, in this regard was to meet with His God on His reoccurring co-creational day of rest. Here to rest is “to be free from anxiety or disturbance,” of spiritual “prosperity,” and relational “happiness,” (MW). A testimony of God’s love for us. That iterating testimony of co-creator relational reciprocity is recorded fifty times in the four gospel. We are “to conduct our lives even as He conducted His life” 1 Jn 2:6 (my translation from the Gk). Thus “there remains” Heb 4:9, a reiterating human opportunity, unexcelled in privilege and honor. A faithfully repeating, revolving cathedral of mutual time with our Creator, now our Redeemer and our soon coming King. It began and was made explicit in the Garden. A rhythmic, recurring shared time of ever enlarging, eternally expanding relational love. Yes, “There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for anyone (see 1 Tim 2:4) who enters God’s rest (see Ge 2:3) also rests from his own work (see Ex 20:8) just as God did from His. Rest with Him in His completed work of creation and in His completed work of salvation. Accept His forgiveness and invite in His character (sanctification) as “Christ in us becomes our hope” and only hope “of glory” 1 Col 1:27. “Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest.” (Heb 4:11)
Articles are “affixes used with nouns to limit and give definitions to the application” (MW). They are significant, as are possessive pronouns, though they were rarely considered by the original KJV translators (see Young’s Literal Translation preface to the revised edition). Articles, whether from word or thought inspiration and personal pronouns are truely of import. Is the call for a wife or your wife, a bike or your bike, my husband or your husband. Here under consideration is a day or the day. Throughout Christian scriptures men of God moved by the Holy Spirit repeatedly used the specific article “the” or personal pronoun My to identify the day God set aside for relationship. to whit: the Seventh day x2 Gen 2: 2,3; the holy day of the LORD Isa 58:13; the Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2:29; the LORD’s Sabbath x3 Lev 23:38, Ex 20: 10, 11; My rest x3 Heb 3:11, 4:3,5; a certain day Heb 4:7 (certain meaning: specific, fixed, settled, reliable [MW]); God’s rest Heb 4:10; His rest x2 Heb 3:18; 4:1, the LORD’s [the Maker’s (S)] day Rev 1:10 to note a few. Did the holy men of old write as they were moved by the Holy Spirit 2 Pe 1:21? Is it true that all scripture is profitable 2 Tim 3:16? Did God really mean what He said in Dt 4:2; Prov 22:18 and Rev 22:18 as He warned not to add to or take away from the words of this book? Since God does not coerce there is no demand in His command. There is only a plea for your well being. (command, commandment, commandments are equally translated “instructions or prescriptions” as noted in Strongs Concordance of both the Hebrew and Greek languages). As the Creation week’s crowning day of and for relational growth, rest and blessing was the sign that distinguished the nation of ancient Israel when they came out of Egypt to enter their earthly Canaan, so it will be the sign of their following their Creational Redeemer that will distinguish God’s people as they come out from the world to enter the eternal heavenly rest. See Christ in it! Experience Christ in it! The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’ (meaning to advance, rise, improve in condition MW) Rev 22 :17, that’s exigent!. “Do not delay…” Psalms 119:60 ESV, that’s imperative! It’s time to come out of hiding with Adam and Eve (Ge 3:8) and step into His presence humbly yet with courage.
LIFE EXCOGITATIONS 