Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 06:2 (Spring 1965)
Article: The Doctrine of the Sabbath in the Old and New Testaments
Author: Gary G. Cohen

GJ 6:2 (Spr 65) p. 7

The Doctrine of the Sabbath in the Old and New Testaments

Gary G. Cohen

[Mr. Cohen was formerly Dean of Students at Shelton College. In September, 1965, he will join the faculty of Faith Theological Seminary in the field of New Testament. He is currently completing doctoral studies at Grace Theological Seminary.]

“Come, O Sabbath Day and bring, peace and healing on thy wing,” are the words from a Hebrew song which greets the sabbath.1 These words mirror the fact that the sabbath was given by God to be a blessing to mankind. The purpose of this study is to examine this blessed institution. From the original sanctification of the seventh day at creation, to the Fourth Commandment of Sinai, to the disputations concerning this day in the four Gospels, and finally to the eternal sabbath when the redeemed of the ages devote every day to God, this subject winds its way through Scripture. May the Lord bless and guide the reader as he follows the sabbath from creation to eternity and sees the wisdom, holiness, and goodness of God in all of His dealings concerning this institution.

From Creation to Sinai

From Creation to the Patriarchs

After creating the heavens and the earth in six days, God “rested” on the seventh day (Gen 2:2). Therefore He blessed and hallowed the seventh day (Gen 2:3). The Hebrew word used in Gen 2:2 for “rested” is the verb shavath, “to rest.” Hence the name Sabbath means “rest,” and points to the rest day which commemorates Jehovah’s original rest from His activity of creation.2

There is no reason to suppose that this blessing of the seventh day did not occur at the chronological point at which it is located in the narrative. The supposition that Gen 2:3, “And God blessed the seventh day,…,” is a proleptical remark pointing solely to a later Sinaitic blessing is totally destitute of evidence or warrant! The vast majority of readers and commentators have seen the blessing of Gen 2:3 to be a part of the creation account chronological narrative. He created, He rested, and He blessed—that is the Biblical order. Thus the sabbath day was hallowed at creation, although Israel was not commanded to rest on this day until 1447 B.C.3

GJ 6:2 (Spr 65) p. 8

Noah’s sending forth the dove at seven day intervals suggests that antediluvian time was reckoned by sev...