Creation
Lesson Three - The Seventh Day
by Patricia Dailey

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8

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

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exodus 20:1-10

For this is the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days,
saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts:
and I will be to them a God,
and they shall be to me a people:
Romans 8:10

This is the covenant
that I will make with them after those days,
saith the Lord,
I will put my laws into their hearts,
and in their minds will I write them
Romans 10:16

But I say unto you,
Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you
Matthew 5:44

The Fourth Commandment

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:36-40.

THE FIRST FOUR COMMANDMENTS
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

1)  Thou shalt have no other gods before Me
2)  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
3)  Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4)  REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY

When we keep these four commandments, we are obeying the command Jesus gave us to love the Lord with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind

THE REMAINING SIX
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MAN

5)  Honour thy father and thy mother
6)  Thou shalt not kill
7)  Thou shalt not commit adultery
8)  Thou shalt not steal
9)  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
10) Thou shalt not covet

When we keep these six commandments, we are obeying Jesus’ command to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Thus, the two commandments which He gave us in Matthew 22 are really a summary of the ten commandments given to Moses.

If you love your neighbors as yourself, you won’t kill them you won’t steal from them; you won’t take their wife; you won’t covet their goods; neither will you bear false witness against them.

So, you can see that the ten commandments are all based on our love for God and for our fellow man.  If you live in obedience to these commandments, you won’t want to hurt anyone - no matter what they do to you!

We see here where the commandment to love our neighbor includes loving our enemies.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:8-11

Under the Old Testament Jewish law, the fourth commandment (Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy) was filled with restrictions. The Jews weren’t allowed to gather firewood on their Sabbath day. There was a restriction as to how far they could travel on that day. The entire day was to be devoted to worship and rest.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Exodus 31.12-17

Notice here that God said He rested on THE SEVENTH DAY. It doesn’t use the word Sabbath. It merely states that God sanctified the SEVENTH day, because that in it He had rested from all His work.

THE LORD’S DAY

Sunday is considered the Christian Sabbath to most. The dictionary states that Sunday and Sabbath are synonyms in the Christian use of the words.

SUNDAY is the first day of the week in the Christian order. It commemorates the NEW CREATION in Christ, Who is its resurrected head.

The Jews celebrate their Sabbath on Saturday. Both Christian and Jews have the same motive - a day of rest and worship.

Some are dogmatic about observing the Sabbath on Saturday. They are critical of those who don’t: but they fail to realize that no specific day of the week is mentioned in Genesis 2. You don’t read that the day should be Saturday, or that it should be Sunday. It merely states that God sanctified the SEVENTH DAY.  Remember, now, the calendar is something that man originated.

And, did you know that most countries have Sunday as the seventh day on their calendar?  English is one of the few languages that puts Sunday as the first day of the week. For example, in Spanish the first day of the week is Lunes (our Monday), and the seventh day is Domingo (our Sunday).

When we choose to worship on Sunday as the Lord’s Day, we are fulfilling the Lord’s command which He gave on the seventh day of creation (for we labour six days, and do all our work - and then set aside the seventh day to worship the Lord and rest).

We shouldn’t do things on the Lord’s Day that we could take care of some other day (such things as our laundry, ironing, shopping).

Now, Sunday isn’t the only day a Christian should attend the house of God: but it is the day set aside to devote entirely to the Lord, doing all our labour and work on the other six days.  If, for some reason, you can’t get out to church any other day, you should at least make a point of attending church on Sunday.

When you think about the Scripture that tells us how a day is as a thousand years to the Lord, it makes you wonder how long each day of creation actually was. We don’t really know how long the creation took - for we’re not actually told.

The stone which the builders refused
is become the head stone of the corner. 
This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 
This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:22-24

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders,
which is become the head of the corner. 
Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:11-12

And are built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone
Ephesians 4:20

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture,
Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone,
elect, precious:
and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1 Peter 2:6-7

THIS day, referred to here, is the day that Jesus rose from the dead (and became the head stone of the corner). It refers to the first day of the week, commonly referred to now as the Lord’s day (see John 20:1).

And we can see, as we look further into the Word, that the stone mentioned here is Jesus Christ - Who became the headstone when He was resurrected.

These New Testament verses confirm and explain God's intent in Psalm 118 - Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone.

One man esteemeth one day above another:
another esteemeth every day alike.
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day,
regardeth it unto the Lord;
and he that regardeth not the day,
to the Lord he doth not regard it.
He that eateth, eateth to the Lord,
for he giveth God thanks;
and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not,
and giveth God thanks.
Romans 14:5-6

In observing the Lord’s Day, we need to be fully persuaded in our own minds, and regard the day as unto the Lord - not pointing a finger at someone who doesn’t agree with us.

If you went to church in America on Sunday (which is the first day of the week on our calendar) and then flew to Mexico to attend the evening service that same Sunday (the seventh day of the week on their calendar) - you would have worshipped both on the first and the seventh day, ALL IN THE SAME DAY!

Note also that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week on the Jewish calendar - therefore, Sunday would be the first day of the week.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath,
from doing thy pleasure on my holy day;
and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable;
and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways,
nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD;
and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth,
and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father:
for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 58:13-14

The Lord’s Day should be a day when we cease from all our labors and from doing our own pleasure. It should be a day when we set ourselves aside to do the Lord’s pleasure, a day to consider as being holy and honorable

When wanting directions for the observance of the Lord’s Day, men are not justified in returning to the rules that the Old Testament gives for observing the Sabbath.  You do have to do some things on the Lord’s Day (such as making your bed, dressing, eating, washing the dishes) but the day should be free of all unnecessary labour - that you might devote it unto the Lord.

Remember, now, we’re not under the law; we are under grace. Yet, under grace we are not exempt from obeying the Scriptures.

And as they went to tell his disciples,
behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.
And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid:
go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee,
and there shall they see me.
Matthew 28:9-10

When Jesus came forth from the grave, He said to rejoice - and go tell.

This was the FIRST Lord’s Day - the day when Jesus rose from the dead.

And upon the first day of the week,
when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow;
and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:7

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,
and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
Revelation 1:10

Now upon the first day of the week,
very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre...
Luke 24:1

And, behold,
two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus,
which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that,
while they communed together and reasoned,
Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
Luke 24:13-15

Then the same day at evening,
being the first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled
for fear of the Jews,
came Jesus and stood in the midst,
and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
John 20:19

The Lord's Day After the Resurrection

This passage in the Book of Acts describes a gathering of believers in the early church on the first day of the week to hear the preaching of God's Word.

Most of the appearances of Jesus to His disciples after the resurrection happened on the first day of the week.  Read the passages in the left column to see some of these visitations of the Lord.  You may also like to read their context by reading  in the Bible the full description of these appearances.

Upon the first day of the week
let every one of you lay by him in store,
as God hath prospered him,
that there be no gatherings when I come.
1 Corinthians 16:2

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.
But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?
In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse:
for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,
that there may be meat in mine house,
and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts,
if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing,
that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;
neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field,
saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:8-11

GIVING

While we’re on the topic of giving, let’s take time to look closer in the Scriptures to see what God has to say about tithes and offerings.

Some hold back their tithe and offering, because they feel their own needs come first: but the Word would tell us that we are robbing from God when we do this.

And he gave him tithes of all.
Genesis 14:20

Honour the LORD with thy substance,
and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:9

Before the law, we find Abraham giving tithe to Melchisedec. Yet many say that tithing is just part of the law.

Ye have sown much, and bring in little;
ye eat, but ye have not enough;
ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink;
ye clothe you, but there is none warm;
and he that earneth wages
earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Haggai 1:6

Give, and it shall be given unto you;
good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal
it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38

This chapter speaks of how God’s people were self-centered, neglecting to care for the house of God. Thus, though they sowed much and earned wages, they never seemed to have enough to meet their needs with.

If, on the other hand, we do things God’s way - putting Him first - we will find His blessings overflowing:

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Mark 16:9

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise,
And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Hebrews 4:4

A DAY OF GRACE

To the Christian, the Sabbath (or Lord’s Day) is a day of grace. It commemorates the day that Jesus rose in victory from the dead - on the first day of the week.

The Sabbath came on the seventh day of the Jewish Calendar - and, thus, the Lord’s Day being the first day of the week reminds us of the new dispensation under grace (not a mere changeover from the Jewish Sabbath).

Remember, now, that God didn’t state a specific day of the week - for there were no set days, as yet. Neither did He use the word Sabbath. That words is used later in the Bible, after the Jews gave their day of worship that name.

On our calendar Sunday is the first day of the week. But, as we have seen, if we worshipped on Sunday in some countries we would find it is the seventh day of the week.

When we choose to worship on Sunday, as the Lord’s Day, we are fulfilling the Lord’s command which He gave on the seventh day of creation. After labouring and doing all our work in six days, we set aside the seventh day to worship the Lord and rest.

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?
wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?
Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure,
and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate,
and to smite with the fist of wickedness:
ye shall not fast as ye do this day,
to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isaiah 58:13-14

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day:
wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:11

Realize, now, that every day is a day wherein we should worship the Lord, and seek to please Him.  Some choose Sunday as a day for pleasure and recreation - but that ought not to be! Our time and attention on that day should be centered on worshipping the Lord.  We should keep this day as unto the Lord, making sure that we do our work during the week.

If there’s an emergency, on the other hand, we shouldn’t be so dogmatic that we’d be under condemnation if we did what needed to be done: such as when it snows we would need to shovel the walk in front of the church so that people might get into the house of God.

Some get so picky over such minute things, yet they neglect some other area of importance and don’t seem to be aware of it.

In observing the Lord’s Day, we need to be fully persuaded in our own mind - and regard the day as unto the Lord (not pointing a finger at someone who doesn’t agree with us).  If someone chooses to worship the Lord on another day - that’s between them and the Lord.