Rest for the People of God Genesis 2:1-3

Genesis 2:1-3 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Outline God’s Purpose in the Sabbath Rest Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Sabbath Rest Our Connection to the Sabbath Rest

God’s Purpose in the Sabbath Rest

Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

What’s the Point? God is Lord and Ruler of Creation! Was God tired? NO! This day is a special day God’s work of creation was complete God blessed this day and marked it as holy God is Lord and Ruler of Creation!

Sabbath Rest is Linked to Redemption God redeemed Israel as a people for Himself Collection of Manna (Ex 16:20-31) Ten Commandments (Ex 20:8-11; Deut 5:12-15) Other Laws Festivals Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:1-7) Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-55)

Deuteronomy 5:12–15 12 “ ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Further Echoes Entrance into the Land Exile Josh 1:12-15 Joshua was to give Israel “rest” in the land when the Conquest was complete Exile 2 Chron 36:20-21; Lev 26:34,35,43 Land is fallow for 70 years to make up for Israel’s disobedience to Sabbath regulations for the 490 years they occupied the Land

God’s Purpose in the Sabbath Rest To show Himself as the Lord of Creation in His finished work To bind Himself to His covenant people which He had redeemed from Egypt

Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Sabbath Rest

The Sabbath Points to Jesus Colossians 2:16–17 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Jesus’ many battles with the Pharisees over the Sabbath They misunderstood the purpose of the Sabbath

Jesus Heightens the Pattern John 4:34 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” John 5:36 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. John 17:4–5 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 19:30 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Repeated Pattern Jesus rested when His work was finished He was resurrected and glorified to sit down at the Father’s right hand (Heb 1:1-3; Phil 2:5-11) Jesus redeemed a people for Himself through His death on the cross (Gal 3:13)

Our Connection to the Sabbath Rest

Historical Argument of Hebrews 4 The argument turns on a connection between: Creation Wilderness Wanderings Joshua and the Conquest Psalm 97 written by David

Rest for the People of God God’s “rest” refers to His creation rest (Heb 4:4-6) 1440-1400 BC—God refused to let Israel enter the rest because of unbelief (Heb 4:2) Joshua could not have given them rest when they came into the Promised Land [1400- 1050 BC] (Heb 4:8) because David [1000 BC] in Psalm 95 warned and reminded Israel not to harden their hearts that they had not yet entered the “rest”

Hebrews 3:7-11 || Psalm 95:7-11 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ 11 As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ”

Rest is Still Available Therefore, if Israel did not enter God’s rest in the OT, there must be others who will enter the rest (Hebrews 4:7) When is that opportunity? “Today” (Hebrews 3:13 || Psalm 97:7) Who can enter God’s rest? Us, if we remain faithful to Christ (Hebrews 4:11)

Hebrews 4:9–11 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Conclusion The Sabbath Rest is a reminder that God is The all-powerful Creator (Gen 2) The loving Redeemer (Deut 5) The Sabbath Rest points to Jesus who Finished the work His Father gave Him to do and is now glorified as Lord of all (John 17:1-5) Lovingly redeemed us with His death on the cross (Phil 2:8; Heb 12:2) The Sabbath Rest is available to all who by faith give their lives to Jesus (Heb 3:7-4:11)

Application God had a plan to redeem a people for Himself, even before Adam and Eve sinned Jesus is the only one who can truly provide rest for us

Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Augustine (354-430 AD) “God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.” -The Confessions (Book 1)

Application God had a plan to redeem a people for Himself, even before Adam and Eve sinned Jesus is the only one who can truly provide rest for us Rest is still available for all who would believe Don’t turn your back on Jesus’ offer of rest Don’t coast/relax or begin to feel self-satisfied This Sabbath Rest is a picture/symbol/shadow of the rest we begin to enjoy now we will experience fully when we see Jesus Anticipate His coming and enjoy its arrival by working hard to enter His rest

Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.