Genesis
The Book of Beginnings
Chapter 2:1-6
In chapter 2, God will begin to tell us in more detail about his
creation. But we are not given details about everything. Rather,
God focuses chapter 2 on His creation of man. This theme is
repeated often in the Bible. God first gives a summary account,
then follows with the specific application to man. Man, after all,
is the reason for God’s creation. Simply put, God begins now to
teach us about his relationship with us, and our relationship with
Him.
Verses 1-3:
In these verses we see that God rests. This is an unusual term.
Why do you think that God “rested?”
Unlike the other six days of creation, God does not indicate this
day with the phrase “and the evening and the morning were.”
Why do you think this is so?
God also blesses this day. Though He pronounces them “very
good”, God does not bless the other six days of creation. It is
obvious that God intends this day to be of special significance.
Genesis was written in Hebrew. The Hebrew word for Sabbath
is shabat, meaning rest, or cessation of activity.
Let’s look at various verses in the Bible to help us understand
the importance of the Sabbath day.
Exodus 16:23
Exodus 20:8-11
Exodus 31:12-17
Isaiah 58:13-14
Matthew 12:1-14
Mark 2:27
Luke 13:10-17
John 20:1
Acts 20:7
Hebrews 4:5-11
God wants us to honor the Sabbath day by refraining from our
normal work to focus on Him. Does this mean that we should
stop all work on the Sabbath or Lord’s Day?
Who knows us better than we know ourselves? If you answered
this question correctly, explain why God felt he needed to
institute this observance of the Sabbath?
Verses 4-6
In these verses, Moses, through God’s inspiration, gives us a
fresh introduction to the Creation account before beginning the
further account of the creation of man. These verses repeat, but
do not contradict, the account of chapter 1.