Chapter Two--
Seventh Day-Peaceful Rest
This chapter is a simplistic overview of the detailed creation story of chapter one. However, there are two points of interest I believe are of extreme importance, especially in our day. The first is a major hot point from within our fellowships, while the second is the same for those from without. Moshe speaks to the seventh day in the first three verses of this chapter.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array. And on the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made”.
Genesis 2: 1-3
There is nothing in this passage, or anywhere else in Scripture for that matter, that codifies when the Sabbath is to be “remembered”, as is commanded in the “Ten”, other than simply put as “the seventh day” of the week. The calendar used to determine that day is NEVER specified.
Within those that properly honor the “seventh day”, there are two major viewpoints. Traditionally, those of Judiasm, along with some within Messianic circles, respect a Friday evening to Saturday evening Shabbat. On the other hand, there are those that keep to a “lunar” reckoning to determine the Shabbat day, on an evening/morning schedule as well.
The purpose of this writing is not to support either persuasion. Many proponents on both sides of the equation claim to have ample Scripture to argue their persuasion. They snip, snap, and devour Messiah’s brethren. I will not take part is such nonsense. I consider such participation to be stark, religious bigotry that only serves to destroy the spirit and soul of precious believers. Consider the admonition of Paul to the Colossians.
“Let no one therefore judge you in eating or in drinking, or in respect of a festival of a new moon or Sabbaths - which are a shadow of what is to come - but the Body of the Messiah. Let no one deprive you of the prize, one who takes delight in false humility and worship of messengers, taking his stand on what he has not seen, puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the Body - nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments - grows with the growth of Elohim.” Colossians 2: 16-19
This admonition is overwhelmingly clear and succinct. Those that would dare to stand up and defend their understanding, so as to ridicule others for not adhering to their set of beliefs on this subject, is seriously bigoted. Paul clearly and emphatically says these are only a “shadow of what is to come”.
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes”. The key word in that statement is “walked”. Paul says these “take their stand on what they have not seen”. They know to that which they are persuaded. Yet, they don’t have a clue as to another person‘s leading by Messiah. The commonality in both sides is that each fervently love Elohim and His Messiah, yet they “walk out” a shadow in slightly different ways.
In a time coming very soon, I’m likely going to find myself in a “foxhole” taking cover from the enemy. In that position, I couldn’t care less which day my neighbor there with me calls Shabbat. I’m going to watch his back, as I pray he returns the favor.
Rather than bicker, fight and outright demean, we should “hold fast to the Head (Yeshua)”. That’s the only way to be nourished and grow with the growth of Elohim. As a second witness, consider the comments of Paul to the Romans.
“Who are you that judges another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he shall be made to stand, for Elohim is able to make him stand. One indeed judges one day above another, another judges every day alike. Let each one be completely persuaded in his own mind. He who minds the day, minds it to יהוה. And he who does not mind the day, to יהוה he does not mind it.”
Romans 14: 4-6
Who are you to arrogantly judge me because I respect a certain day, just because it doesn’t agree with your persuasion? I reverence the Shabbat day unto Yeshua my King, as Paul said in v. 6. If you want to regard a different day as His Shabbat, then go for it. It’s not my position or authority to persuade you to my understanding.
Those that would disagree and continue to “beat up” the brethren on this subject are filled with arrogant pride, goats and wolves among the sheep. Rather than hold to Yeshua, they revel in their “commando” spirit and elevate their preachers and teachers to the level of a god, “worship of messengers”, as Paul said to the Colossians.
Some of these receivers of praise revel in the praise, thinking far more highly of themselves than they ought. Rather, do as the Bereans whom Paul praised. Know and hold to Yeshua’s commands, even if you walk alone. Don’t destroy the work of Elohim in the souls of His followers for the sake of frivolous and stupid arguments, as Paul says. Quit being a stumbling-block judge and come together in harmony.
“For he who is serving Messiah in these matters is well-pleasing to Elohim and approved by men. So, then, let us pursue the matters of peace and the matters for building up one another. Don’t destroy the work of Elohim for the sake of food. All indeed are clean, but evil to that man who eats so as to cause stumbling.”
Romans 14: 20
Sweet Companionship
On the final day of creation, one thing remained. There was no tiller and keeper for the garden Elohim had created. The crowning glory on His creation would be a man He would call, Adam. To this man was given complete authority and responsibility for its care and upkeep. Adam responded well with his duties, yet something was missing. In response to this, Elohim said the following.
And יהוה Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I am going to make a helper for him, as his counterpart.” Genesis 2: 18
Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam. During this time, He removed a rib from his side, and used it to create a counterpart comparable to him. Even though he would be head over this woman, even as with the rest of creation, it should be noted Elohim didn’t take a part of Adam’s head so he might “Lord it over her”. He didn’t take a part of his foot so he could walk on her. He took a rib so she could walk at his side and complement or complete him.
There is another matter exposed in this account. Elohim doesn’t appear to use dust to create Eve, as He did with Adam. Scripture only says Elohim removed one part of Adam (a rib) and made a woman. I’ve heard it taught that Adam was both male and female. Could it be Elohim merely removed the female part of his DNA? I don’t know. I'm sure that mystery will be known when we get into the Kingdom.
Perfect creation was now complete. Everything flowed with perfect harmony and serenity. Even so, chaotic disharmony is about to burst upon the scene, as it was in the time of Noah as well as with us today. I remember Rev. Billy Graham once saying, “If God doesn’t hurry up and judge…He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah“.
I close with this one observation. In keeping with perfect harmony, Elohim created a woman from Adam’s own flesh. Whether with a literal rib or DNA, He didn’t create another man to be his assistant. Neither did He give Adam a choice in the matter. He didn’t give him “Eve and/or Steve”. In consideration of the days of Noah and Lot, Yeshua said of our time--
“And as it came to be in the days of Noah, so also shall it be in the days of the Son of Adam: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, as it came to be in the days of Lot: They were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building, but on the day Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all. It shall be the same in the day the Son of Adam is revealed.”
Matthew 17: 26-28
“He that has an ear to hear…”
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