What is the meaning of Genesis 2:3? Then God blessed the seventh day - Blessing is God’s deliberate act of favor, as seen earlier when He blessed living creatures (Genesis 1:22) and humanity (Genesis 1:28). - A day carries no power in itself; the blessing flows from God’s own goodness. - By blessing the seventh day, He set it apart as a channel of refreshment for His people, a theme picked up in Exodus 20:11 when the Sabbath command is grounded in creation. - Jesus echoes this benevolence in Mark 2:27, teaching that “The Sabbath was made for man.” and sanctified it - To sanctify is to declare something holy, devoted exclusively to God’s purposes (Exodus 31:13). - The seventh day becomes different from the preceding six—not by human vote, but by divine decree. - Nehemiah 9:14 reminds Israel that God “made known to them Your holy Sabbath,” underscoring continuity from creation to covenant. - Holiness here invites worship, rest, and reflection, rather than mere inactivity. because on that day He rested - God’s rest is not weariness but the joyful cessation of creative labor, the consummation of perfect work (Exodus 31:17). - Hebrews 4:4 cites this verse to show that God’s rest remains open to believers who trust Him. - By resting, God models rhythm for human life: work diligently, then cease and enjoy Him. from all the work of creation that He had accomplished - Genesis 2:1 already notes that “the heavens and the earth were completed.” Verse 3 explains why rest and sanctity belong together: the work is finished. - Psalm 104:24 celebrates the same completed wisdom: “How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You made them all.” - Revelation 4:11 looks back to creation’s finished state as the foundation for worship: “You are worthy… because You created all things.” summary Genesis 2:3 records God’s final creative act—not making something new, but blessing and setting apart a day. He stamps His favor on the seventh day, declaring it holy, because His creative work is perfectly complete. The pattern of six days of purposeful labor followed by one day of sanctified rest becomes a gift to humanity, later codified in the Sabbath command and ultimately fulfilled in the rest offered through Christ. |
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