Ethics and the Christian Work…and Rest

God created us to work Genesis 2.15; the word “dress” means “work” We work for Him, as our ultimate Master It is a sin to be lazy

God commanded us to rest--eventually Genesis The creation was finished: “accomplished.” 2.2 God ended. Same word as “finished.” 2.2 and God rested. “ceased.” 2.3 He then blessed it (added a benefit to it). The 7 th day is unique—it has no “reason” 2.3 and sanctified it: consecrated it or set it apart

And then, for the next 2500 years, nothing happens The word translated “rest” is not mentioned mentioned one time between Genesis 8.22, and Exodus 5.5 The word “Sabbath” isn’t used until Exodus If Adam observed it, we don’t know about it Same is true of Abraham

Then comes the Mosaic Covenant Which has a 2 fold element: Love God, love your neighbor as yourself And a 10 fold element: the 10 commandments (God and man) And a manifold element: Exodus and Leviticus expand the commandments to “real life” situations. And the covenant was, primarily, an indictment against Israel – Deuteronomy – Galatians 3.10

God’s covenants have symbols The Noahic covenant has the rainbow The Abrahamic covenant has circumcision The Davidic covenant has a king The New covenant has baptism The Mosaic covenant has the Sabbath

God calls the Sabbath the symbol, Ex The Jews ceased from work, because they were identified with God, and HE ceased from work And God took this command very seriously: violating the Sabbath is a capital offence. Numbers ; II Chronicles The Jews were to stop working, and be refreshed. Not primarily physically, but spiritually. It was a day to remember that they were God’s people. It was purely a “religious” day, but it was not a “relaxing” day—it focused on sin and sacrifice. It was a test of loyalty to God It was a “throw-back” to Eden: Jews couldn’t do what Adam and Eve would never have done.

Jesus Kept it Ruled it. Matthew 12.8 Never mandates it’s observance upon the Church. Colossians 2.16 Endorses First Day of the Week “religious” gatherings. – Acts 20.7 – I Cor. 16.2

But We should never allow the absence of NT regulation as permission to be so busy that there is not time to serve, worship, or reflect on God.