"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created."

This portion of Genesis concludes with a description of the institution of the Sabbath. Notice that the first Sabbath was a day of rest, not a day of worship. These verses make two important affirmations. First, the Sabbath reveals a God who creates the world and rests confidently. God is at peace with creation. Secondly, the Sabbath is a reminder that the world is securely in God's hands. Life is a gift of a gracious God and is not dependent on our efforts.

by M. Thomas Norwood
author of the Kerygma study
Beginnings: A Study of the Call of God in Genesis