God's Blessing on the Seventh Day in Creation
God's blessing on the seventh day of creation, as recorded in Genesis 2:3, signifies its sanctification and special status within the created order [1]. This act established the seventh day as holy, a day on which God rested from all his creative work [1]. The concept of "seven" frequently appears in Scripture, often symbolizing perfection and rest, and the division of time into seven-day weeks is rooted in this foundational act of creation [3].
The creation account in Genesis describes God forming all things that previously had no existence [2, 5]. This work was accomplished by God, through Christ, and by the Holy Spirit, by divine command [2]. The creation unfolded over six normal days, culminating in the seventh day of rest [2]. Humankind is presented as the pinnacle of God's creative acts, while the seventh day itself is considered the climax of the creation week [7]. When God rested, it was an endorsement of all creation, indicating that nothing more needed to be done [7].
The institution of the Sabbath is directly linked to God's actions on the seventh day [4]. Genesis 2:3 states that God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because he rested [1]. This divine act of resting and blessing established the grounds for the Sabbath's institution [4]. The seventh day was to be observed, made for humanity, blessed, sanctified, and hallowed [4]. The command to keep the Sabbath is reiterated in the Mosaic Law, emphasizing its importance as a sign of the covenant between God and his people [4]. It was intended to commemorate God's goodness and show his considerate kindness [4].
The Reformed theologian John Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, views God in the creation account not as an avenger, but as an "Artificer," an "Architect," and a "bountiful Father of a family" who meticulously perfected his creation [6]. The world, though now corrupted, was originally created in perfection [6]. The seventh day, therefore, celebrates God's finished work and serves as a precedent for the weekly Sabbath observed by Israel [7]. This day was to be set apart as holy and dedicated to the Creator [7].
The concept of rest on the seventh day also carries a typological meaning, pointing towards a heavenly rest [4]. The Sabbath was not merely a cessation of labor but a celebration of God's completed work and a time for humanity to acknowledge their Creator [7]. This framework of a seven-day week, with the seventh day as a day of rest, structured Israel's understanding of time and their relationship with God [7].
The significance of God's blessing on the seventh day extends beyond the initial act of creation. It establishes a pattern for human life, emphasizing the importance of rest and worship. The Sabbath, rooted in this divine example, serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and his provision for his creation [4]. It is a day to reflect on the perfection of God's work and to honor him as the Creator [7].
Sources
- Genesis “God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done. -- Genesis 2:3”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Seven — This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Gen. 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. "Jacob's seven years' service to Laban; Pharaoh's seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who s”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sabbath, The — Instituted by God -- Ge 2:3. Grounds of its institution -- Ge 2:2,3; Ex 20:11. The seventh day observed as -- Ex 20:9-11. Made for man -- Mr 2:27. God Blessed. -- Ge 2:3; Ex 20:11. Sanctified. -- Ge 2:3; Ex 31:15. Hallowed. -- Ex 20:11. Commanded, to be kept. -- Le 19:3,30. Commanded to be sanctified. -- Ex 20:8. Will have his goodness commemorated in the observance of. -- De 5:15. Shows favour in appointing. -- Ne 9:14. Shows considerate kindness in appointing. -- Ex 23:12. A sign of the covenant -- Ex 31:13,17. A type of the heavenly rest -- Heb 4:4,”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Creation — (The creation of all things is ascribed in the Bible to God, and is the only reasonable account of the origin of the world. The method of creation is not stated in Genesis, and as far as the account there is concerned, each part of it may be, after the first acts of creation, by evolution, or by direct act of God's will. The word create (bara) is used but three times in the first chapter of Genesis-- (1) as to the origin of matter; (2) as to the origin of life; (3) as to the origin of man's soul; and science has always failed to do any of these acts thus as”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 6.6: God. Truly these things were created by God, but by God as an avenger. In this place, however, Moses is not considering God as armed for the punishment of the sins of men; but as the Artificer, the Architect, the bountiful Father of a family, who has omitted nothing essential to the perfection of his edifice. At the present time, when we look upon the world corrupted, and as if degenerated from its original creation, let that expression of Paul recur to our mind, that the creature is liable to vanity, not willingly, but through our”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 2:1: 2:1-3 Humankind is the high point of God’s creative acts (1:26-31), while day 7 is the climax of the creation week. When God rested, he endorsed all of creation—there was nothing more to do! This seven-day framework structured Israel’s week, with the seventh day as the precedent for their weekly Sabbath. The Sabbath was intended to celebrate God’s finished work; the seventh day would be set apart as holy and dedicated to the Creator, who also rested (see Exod 20:8-11; 31:12-17; cp. Matt 12:1-8; Rom 14:5-6; Col 2:16-17; Heb 4:1-11).”