The Patriarchs and the Sabbath

And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. Gen 26:4-5

The first Sabbath must have been a joyous time. Adam and Eve were with their Maker, learning the wonders of His love and creation. By example and by direct instruction they learned who they were and the laws by which they were to abide. In theological terms, this was a covenant. As with every covenant, there was a reward for fulfilling its duties and a penalty for failure. In return for their obedience, God promised them immortality and possession of the Garden. Failure meant death.

We do not know how long Adam and Eve lived sinlessly in the Garden, but it was likely only a short while. They had been instructed to be "fruitful and multiply" (Gen 1:28), but no child is recorded in Eden. Cain was conceived after the fall (Gen 4:1), so it would seem that even our perfect parents were fickle in their loyalty to God, sinning very soon after their creation.

Only one element of the covenant actually appears in the story of the fall. The tree of good and evil (Gen 2:9, 17) is the focus of the single failure by Adam and Eve. Hosea (Hos 6:7) describes this single event as "transgressing the covenant." But the tree should not be considered to be the only part of the covenant between God and man in the Garden. After all, Hosea (Hos 6:4-7) places all the sins of Ephraim and Judah in parallel with the one recorded sin of Adam. By this language Hosea echoes the "greatest commandment in the law" (cf. Matt 22:36-37).

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Deut 6:4-5

This is the first of the Ten Commandments. The rebellion against God which the tree represented placed Satan above God in direct violation of this first commandment. When they listened to the counsel of the serpent Adam and Eve elevated him above God, placing another god in Yahweh’s presence. They did not carve an idol to violate the second commandment. But we know from the Sermon on the Mount that it is the intent of a man’s heart that constitutes the sin. They placed knowledge of good and evil above their loyalty to God, making it an idol.

The Lord’s name is intimately involved with His reputation, status, and honor. God had told Adam and Eve that eating the fruit of the tree would lead to their deaths (Gen 2:17). The serpent contradicted that statement (Gen 3:3-4) impugning God’s good name with his lie. By accepting the lie at face value, as demonstrated in eating the fruit, Adam and Eve besmirched the name of their Lord, violating the third commandment.

The Sabbath was a recurring holy day in which man would devote himself only to God. In Eden, this devotion was enhanced by the physical presence of God with man. By violating any of the commandments, Adam and Eve condemned all humanity to a world of sin. In this world, men would be always unable to be with God on a face to face basis. The Sabbath would remain a holiday in time with God, but diminished from its intended glory. Thus, Adam and Eve broke the Sabbath for all mankind by eating of the tree.

Luke 3:38 refers to sinless Adam as the "son of God." His rebellion was therefore a failure to honor his father, in violation of the fifth commandment. The result of his sin was the death of all mankind (Rom 5:12), making him a murderer in violation of the sixth commandment.

While Adam and Eve could not commit physical adultery in the Garden, God instituted marriage there (Gen 2:18, 24) implying that any practice contrary to marriage was forbidden. Since the ultimate marriage of all saints is to Christ (Rev 19:7), eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was an act of spiritual adultery. This imagery is used throughout the OT, showing that the fall was indeed a violation of the seventh commandment.

Adam and Eve ate fruit that belonged exclusively to God, and thereby stole from God in violation of the eighth commandment. Adam and Eve perjured themselves (Gen 3:8, 10, 12) in violation of the ninth commandment. And of course the very desire to be like God which the serpent pandered to (Gen 3:5) was covetousness in violation of the tenth commandment.

Hosea did not exaggerate in his comparison of the sin of Adam with the sins of Ephraim and Judah. In the story of the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve violated all of the ten commandments. Truly "whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." (James 2:10)

The grief Adam and Eve must have felt after sinning is something we cannot appreciate since we have never been in a perfect world like Eden. They certainly must have wished for a return to the joys of perfect communion with God in Eden. But difficult labor and pain were to become permanent parts of life.

God had promised a savior from sin (Gen 3:15). When Cain was born (Gen 4:1) Eve said that she had "gotten a man from the Lord," indicating that she thought that Cain would be the savior. Into this climate of hope in the Lord came more sin.

God did not completely hide Himself from man. Blood offerings were commanded (Gen 4:4, 7). These pointed to the fact that only blood can take away sin (Heb 9:22). Cain brought an offering of produce he had grown (Gen 4:2). Abel, on the other hand, fulfilled all that was required, acting on faith, and thereby being declared righteous (Heb 11:4). He made a sacrifice from the "firstlings of the flock and their fat portions" (Gen 4:4). This detail of this offering is echoed later in the requirements to tithe the firstlings to God’s service (Deut 12:6) and reserve the fat of the sacrifice to God (Lev 3:3, 9; 4:26, 31, 35). God reprimanded Cain, offering him a chance to repent (Gen 4:6-7). But his pride and anger lead him into further rebellion by killing his brother Abel (Gen 4:8). This sin led to his banishment (Gen 4:14-15).

As we continue through the book of Genesis, we find that nowhere does it explicitly record the details of the law. But its eyewitness histories show that the law was known and enforced. Faith was rewarded as well. When Enoch "walked with God," he was taken to heaven (Gen 5:24).

The Sabbath was part of the law. We have seen how it was given in Eden to Adam and Eve. They broke the Sabbath for mankind as they violated the law when they sinned. As their family grew they taught their children the law, including the Sabbath. Some followed God, but others continued the rebellion. Eventually the world became so wicked that God had to destroy it with a flood. He chose Noah to build an ark to save the few righteous people remaining and be the repository of the law for the re-establishment of God’s people after the flood.

There were two ways that Noah could carry out this responsibility. First, he could write the law down. Some scholars suggest that writing had not been invented, but Genesis 5:1 describes the account of the fall and the murder of Abel as the "writing," suggesting that it had been recorded before the flood. Second, Noah would have had the law "written in his heart" (cf. Jer 31:33). He most certainly learned from his grandfather Methuselah, who died the year of the flood. Methuselah learned from his father Enoch, who God took to heaven. Also, Methuselah was 249 years old when Adam died, so he certainly learned from him as well. We may be certain that the law was perfectly preserved as it was delivered to Noah. "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen 6:8), indicating that he was righteous and kept the law. Therefore he was a Sabbath-keeper.

We should also notice the language used in describing the apostasy before the flood.

Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. Gen 6:1-2

The language "sons of God" brings out an expression familiar to modern Christians. Jesus tells us in the sermon on the mount that the "peacemakers" are "sons of God" (Matt 5:9). In Luke 20:36 this is made more explicit when all who will be resurrected are called "sons of God." Paul brings this into the present by calling all who live by faith in Jesus "sons of God." (Gal 3:26)

Since the righteous are "sons of God," the term "daughters of men" must refer to the wicked. In this way we see the first expression of the apostasy which occurred so many times during the time of the Jews. The intermarriage of good and evil people always led to the victory of evil. In this way rebellion against the Creator before the flood led to profanation of the sign of his authority, the Sabbath. Noah was to begin the rebuilding of a world which observed the law of God, including the Sabbath. He began this task by teaching his children. They are recorded as understanding God’s instructions (Matt 24:38). The law, including the Sabbath, was thereby preserved for all mankind through the flood.

Little is said about the patriarchs that followed Noah until the Tower of Babel. After Babel the account gives few details until we get to Abram. Then we are given quite an extensive history covering the better part of fourteen chapters. When scripture gives such a large amount of space to one character, there is much for us to consider. It begins with:

Now the LORD said to Abram,
"Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father's house,
To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. " Gen 12:1-3

In the very first words of this account we find God speaking directly to Abram. God did not need to tell Abram the law. He had chosen Abram to carry out His purposes since Abram already feared God and kept His law. Certainly Abram did not keep the law perfectly. Much as we do, when potentially difficult occasions arose, he tended to lean on his own understanding (cf. Prov 3:5) rather than trusting God. When in Egypt, he lied about his relationship to his wife Sarai (Gen 12). When God promised him a nation of descendants, he took a concubine rather than trusting God (Gen 15).

But at this moment, when commanded, Abram left Haran and his family in obedience to the instruction of God. Acting purely on faith in the good word of God, he went into a land which to him was unknown. Paul tells us that he "was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Heb 11:10). This inspired interpretation of ancient events shows us that Abram’s intent was to be where everyone would be living in accordance with the law of God. Once again we properly understand that the law included the seventh-day Sabbath.

Certainly the word "Sabbath" does not occur in the story of Abra(ham). But shortly after his death we find God’s blessing to Abraham repeated to his son Isaac. The reason for Isaac’s receipt of this blessing is

because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. Gen 26:5

The language of this passage is of special importance. The Hebrew states that "Abraham obeyed my voice." That is, Abraham was personally instructed by God, and followed His instructions. We should not be surprised at this, since in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:27, 30, 32) Abraham spoke face to face with God and in the sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22:1-2) he received explicit verbal instruction from God. He also received visions (Gen 15).

The next phrase begins by stating that Abraham "kept my charge." If the word shamar simply meant to obey, then it would be repeating that Abraham obeyed God. But shamar means much more. Adam and Eve were to "tend and keep (shamar)" the Garden (Gen 2:15). This was a task of loving nurture. In the same way, David kept the Law (Psa 119:97) by constantly meditating on it. Abraham treated the tasks before him in the same way. He loved his Lord, and treated his commands as opportunities for thanksgiving and loving service.

His first task was to do God’s "charge." Mishmereth speaks of the task of a sentry. He was to protect God in the sense that God’s reputation was at stake. When Abraham acted in accordance with God’s plan, he was greatly blessed and the reputation of Yahweh was enhanced. He became a blessing to "all the families" of the world (Gen 12:3).

Abraham’s obedience extended far beyond the explicit recorded instructions of God in theophanies and visions. He kept God’s "commandments, statutes, and laws." Commandments, or mitzvot, are the detailed rules of life that govern our dealings with both God and man. There are 613 such rules in the Torah which explain much of how we should observe the ten commandments. These are also known as mishpatim. Statutes, or chukim, are the "decrees" of God. These do not often have obvious reasons. The mikvah, or ceremonial immersion, is one such chukah. Laws, or torah, are instructional in nature. The law of sacrifice is one such torah. Each time a lamb is killed, it brings to view the fact that the penalty for sin is death. The Sabbath shows that the individual accepts the sovereignty of God. This class of laws also serves a witness, or edos, to the fact that the individual is a servant of God. These three classes: edos, chukim, and mishpatim sum up all of the instructions of God to man.

God’s inclusion of these three technical terms to describe the obedience of Abraham is instructive. They tell us that all of God’s detailed instructions were known to Abraham. His task as mishmar shows that God’s laws were taught by him to those he came in contact with. In this way, he began the process by which "every family of the earth" was to be blessed (cf. Gen 12:3). In particular, he taught his son Isaac. In turn, Isaac taught Jacob and Esau. Unfortunately, Esau rejected God and became the founder of Edom, a people forever at war with God’s people. But Jacob honored God’s commands and became a fellow heir to the promise (Heb 11:9). This we find in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Gal 3:29

Isaac and Jacob were not just the natural heirs of Abraham. Inspired testimony tells us that they were "fellow heirs of the same promise." Their heritage was that of God, not of flesh. And the requirement of that heritage is a personal commitment to and alliance with God. Isaac was rewarded with blessings (Gen 26:12-14) and personal direction from God (Gen 26:2-5, 24; 35:1, 9-12). Jacob was blessed (Gen 30:43), given visions (Gen 28:12-15; 31:11-13; 46:2-4), angelic direction (Gen 32:1), and face to face audience with God (Gen 32:24-29). Just as Abraham kept the edos, chukim, and mishpatim, so did his heirs. And they taught their sons the same laws and love for God. Not all obeyed God, but Joseph did, and God used him to save his family (Gen 50:20).

Joseph was not the wisest of teenagers. In fact, we would probably find him to be a bit of a smart-aleck. He was his father’s favorite son, and his brothers knew it. He snitched on them to their father. Jacob gave him special clothes. And if that wasn’t enough, Joseph told his brothers that in dreams he had seen them bowing down to him. When the opportunity arose, they sold Joseph into slavery, and he ended up in Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph’s master Potiphar "saw that the Lord was with him" (Gen 39:3). Later, when Potiphar’s wife propositioned him (Gen 39:7-20) he refused to "sin against God" by violating His law. God remained with him in prison, again blessing him greatly (Gen 39:21, 23). Finally Joseph was elevated to the office of Prime Minister when with God’s help he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams (Gen 41:25-45). Throughout all of these trying times, we find recurring statements that tell us that Joseph was faithful to God. His obedience was the way that others were able to credit God with Joseph’s success. Had he simply been blessed while blending in to the Egyptian society, credit would have gone to one of the Egyptian deities. Instead, Joseph honored God with his obedience to His laws. Since the Sabbath was part of those laws, we may be confident in stating the Joseph kept the Sabbath.

The book of Genesis does not contain the word "Sabbath" as such. Yet throughout it and the rest of scripture we find ample evidence that all of God’s laws were well known during that time. Over 2,000 years of family histories do not list any of the laws of God, but they all are present in the details that inspired authors saw fit to record.

Of all the possible patriarchs to record, the book of Genesis gives us an unbroken line of men who were loyal to God. These men carefully preserved the instructions that were directly received from the Almighty. These were passed from generation to generation as the most precious possession of mankind. And when faithful men kept the law, they kept the Sabbath, for it was the ultimate sign of loyalty to the Creator. The centerpiece of the law was not forgotten for a moment, as we shall soon see.