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 2.1-3• 2.1 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 7th 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 16.23

• 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 31.26– 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. 31.12-17• 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 15.32-36; II Chronicles 36.21

• 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.