The Covenant of Creation

Robertson calls Gods relationship with man before the fall the covenant of creation.
Is this relationship really a covenant? Recall our discussion of Chapter 2.
Are there benefits or drawbacks to calling this relationship a covenant?

Its General Aspect

Three principles for human life inherent in the structure of Gods creation are Sabbath, marriage, and labor.
If we neglect these general aspects, we will be church oriented instead of kingdom oriented (page 68).
What is the difference between being kingdom-oriented and being church-oriented?
Why does it matter? See pages 81-83: Covenant relationship involves total-life relationship.
A. God blessed the Sabbath at creation.
Gods purpose was to bless man and all of creation. The Sabbath blesses man in these ways:
1. It refreshes him.
2. It teaches him that he is free from bondage to work, and that he depends on God.
The Sabbath blesses the other parts of creation, too: it gives rest to animals and to the land.
The principle of a Sabbath structured life in Israel through the weekly Sabbath, the Sabbath year, and the
Sabbath jubilee. It even structured Gods ordering of history (page 71).
For members of the new covenant, the Sabbath is a sign of rest already accomplished by the cosmic event of
Christs resurrection (page 73), as well as the uninterrupted rest that is yet to come.
Does Gods command to observe the Sabbath apply to us? (Consider the case made on page 74.)
If you think so, what do you do to keep the Sabbath holy?
B. God ordained marriage when he created Eve to be a help-meet for Adam.
The creation story teaches us:
1. The oneness realized in marriage. Two and only two may enter into such a relationship.
2. The structure and purpose of marriage. The wife is to be a help-meet to her husband. Together,
husband and wife are to fill and subdue the earth to the glory of God.
3. The unacceptability of various sexual aberrations. Polygamy, divorce, and homosexuality contradict
the creational order of marriage.
How do these lessons challenge us to live differently from the pattern set by our culture?
If your friend said that this view of marriage was unfair or intolerant, how would you respond?
C. God gave labor for man to do in the garden.
This was to bring out all the potential within the creation which might offer glory to the Creator (page 80).
Why is it that work does not always feel like a blessing?

Its Focal Aspect

God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This must not be conceived
of as a somewhat arbitrary stipulation. What, then, was the purpose of this command?
Re-read the first paragraph on page 84. God gave Adam the opportunity to choose radical obedience:
obedience for obediences sake. Why does God require radical obedience?
Adams test has parallels with Israels experience and Christs temptation in the wilderness. Jesus is the
perfect example of radical obedience. And because He was obedient unto death, He is able to save us!

The Sabbath in Scripture

Significance of the Sabbath
Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:11
God blessed the Sabbath at creation and made it holy.
Deuteronomy 5:15
The Sabbath a reminder that God brought Israel out of captivity in Egypt.
Ezekiel 20:12-26
I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I
am the Lord who sanctifies them.
God commanded Israel to keep the Sabbath
Exodus 20:8-10, Deuteronomy 5:12 Keeping the Sabbath is the fourth of the ten commandments.
Leviticus 3:23
Sabbath to be a time of solemn rest and a holy convocation.
Nehemiah 9:14
you made known to them your holy Sabbath.
Exodus 23:30
Israel was to observe a Sabbath year as well as a weekly Sabbath.
Exodus 35:3
The Israelites were instructed not to build a fire on the Sabbath.
Nehemiah 13:15-22 Marketing of produce in Jerusalem on the Sabbath was forbidden.
Jeremiah 17:22
Jeremiah told Israel not to bear any burden on the Sabbath day.
Isaiah 1:12-17
Sabbaths are not acceptable to God if they are not observed in the right spirit.

Blessings for keeping the Sabbath

Exodus 16:4-30
God provided for the Israelites on the Preparation Day.
Isaiah 56:2-7
Promises of blessings for those who keep Sabbath and God's covenant.
Isaiah 58:13-14
If you delight in the Sabbath and honor it, instead of going your own way, then you will
take delight in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:24-26 Jerusalem would flourish if its people did not work on the Sabbath.
Punishments for breaking the Sabbath
Exodus 35:2, Numbers 15:30-36
Knowing defiance of the Sabbath was a capital offense.
Leviticus 26:33-35, 2 Chronicles 36:21 If Israel broke the Sabbath, they would be exiled so the land would rest.
Jeremiah 17:27
Jerusalems gates would burn if its people broke the Sabbath.
Christs teachings on the Sabbath
Various
Jesus activities on the Sabbath: attending services at the synagogue, healing the sick.
Matthew 12:1-14
The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
Mark 2:23-3:6
The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.
John 5:1-18
My Father is working until now, and I am working.
John 7:21-23
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees judgment of the law: do not judge by appearances, but
judge with right judgment.
The Sabbath under the new covenant
Isaiah 66:23
Sabbaths referenced in the description of life in the new heavens and the new earth.
Matthew 5:17-48
Jesus did not abolish the law: he taught that Gods commands apply not only to our
actions but to our hearts as well.
Luke 23:54-56
An instance of Jesus followers observing the Sabbath (the Sabbath after Jesus burial).
Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard
to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come,
but the substance belongs to Christ.
Hebrews 4:2-10
Principle of the Sabbath under new covenant: those who believe enter into God's rest.