Genesis 2:1-3

Genesis 2:1-3

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

This morning we turn to Genesis 2:1-3. Our text concludes the majestic account of God's creation. These verses declare the completion of the heavens and the earth, the rest of God on the seventh day, and the sanctification of that day as holy. While it is brief, this text is brimming with theological riches, not only pointing us back to the perfection of creation but also forward to the fullness of redemption in Christ. Let us approach Scripture with reverence, seeking to understand God's covenant purposes for His people through His Word. Let us meditate on this passage through the lens of creation, covenant, and Christ.

Vv. 1

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Genesis 2:1 begins with the declaration, "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished." These words emphasize the perfection and sufficiency of God's creative work. In six days, God brought forth everything that exists—from the vast galaxies to the smallest seeds—each according to His wisdom and will. What is striking here is the finality of the statement: nothing further was needed; creation was whole and complete. God looked at the whole of creation and with the stars, the fish, the birds, the beasts, and with man to bear His image, saw His glory put on full display. Creation was not a static collection of things but rather is a marvelous machine set in motion. Natural law and seasons designed to make life possible on earth. Everything has a part to play in the wisdom of the Creator.

This truth tells us of the sovereignty and sufficiency of God. Unlike human endeavors, which are marked by incompleteness and imperfection, God's work is perfect in every respect. The phrase "and all the host of them" captures the totality of creation—heaven, earth, and all living things, united in harmony under the Creator's hand.

This should inspire awe and gratitude in the reader. In the Reformed tradition, we affirm that God's creation is not only good but also a reflection of His glory. As the Westminster Confession of Faith declares, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." One way we glorify God is by delighting in His creation, recognizing it as a testament to His wisdom, power, and goodness.

Vv. 2

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Verse 2 tells us that "on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested." Here, the word "rested" does not imply fatigue or weariness on God's part, for the Creator does not grow tired.

Isaiah 40:28

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

The word translated as “rested” is the Hebrew shabat, which means ceasing. Having finished creating, God stopped from the work He had been doing.

God's resting signifies His satisfaction in the completion of His work. This divine rest is a cessation from creating, as God surveys the fullness of what He has made and declares it "very good" (Genesis 1:31).

This moment is deeply significant because it establishes the pattern for humanity's rhythm of work and rest. The Sabbath is rooted not merely in law but in creation itself. God's resting on the seventh day is an expression of His covenant relationship with the world He made. It sets the foundation for the fourth commandment.

Exodus 20:8-10a

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.

This Sabbath rest is not an end in itself but a sign pointing to something greater. It invites us to rest in God, to cease striving, and to trust in His provision. How often do we, in our fallen state, attempt to carry the burdens of life on our own? God's rest reminds us that He is the one who sustains all things. As John Calvin wisely wrote, "In Him we live and move and have our being; therefore, we should rest in His providence and trust in His care."

Vv. 3

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Genesis 2:3 declares, "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy." This is the first time in Scripture that something is described as "holy," and it sets apart the seventh day as unique. To bless and sanctify the day is to consecrate it for a special purpose. The seventh day becomes a sacred marker of God's covenant with creation, a day to commemorate His finished work.

We understand this sanctification as both a gift and a calling. The Sabbath is a gift because it provides rest for our bodies and renewal for our souls. It is a time to worship God, fellowship with His people, and reflect on His goodness. But it is also a calling—a call to holiness, to live in alignment with God's purposes.

This sanctification points us forward to the ultimate Sabbath rest found in Christ.

Hebrews 4:9-10

9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

In Christ, we find the fulfillment of the Sabbath. Just as God rested after finishing His work of creation, so Christ rested after finishing His work of redemption on the cross. His resurrection ushers us into a new creation, where we are invited to cease from our labors of self-justification and rest in the sufficiency of His grace.

How, then, should we live in light of this text? Let me suggest three applications grounded in the Reformed understanding of Scripture:

1. Rest in God’s Sovereignty

The completion of creation reminds us that God is in control. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, we can take comfort in knowing that God's work is perfect and complete. We are not the authors of our own destiny; God is. Let this truth free you from anxiety and lead you to trust in His providence.

2. Honor the Sabbath

The sanctification of the seventh day calls us to set apart time for rest and worship. In our modern, fast-paced world, the concept of Sabbath is often neglected. Yet it is a commandment that remains relevant. Take time each week to cease from your labors, gather with God's people, and delight in His presence. The Sabbath is not a burden but a blessing—a foretaste of the eternal rest we will enjoy in God's kingdom.

3. Rejoice in Christ’s Finished Work.

Finally, let Genesis lead you to the cross. Just as God rested after completing creation, Christ declared, "It is finished."

John 19:30

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

He completed the work of redemption. If you are weary and burdened, come to Him, for He promises rest for your soul.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In Christ, we find a rest that no earthly Sabbath can provide—a rest that is eternal, secure, and life-giving.

Genesis 2:1-3 is more than a historical account of the seventh day; it is a theological masterpiece that reveals the character of God and His purposes for His creation. It calls us to marvel at the perfection of His work, to rest in His sovereignty, and to find our ultimate joy in the finished work of Christ.

The first verse of Genesis shows us that all of history had a beginning, and that beginning has God as Creator. The Final verses of the creation account show us that God is the finisher of what He began. God has never set out to do something and not finish it. The great hope is that His promises will always come to pass and that every work He sets out to do will always be finished. The future that God sets down in scripture will arrive. Jesus Christ will return to reign at the final judgement. The time to enter His rest in now. Not some future to hope for. We have rest in Him now. We rest in Him by believing in His Word and looking at Christ as our savior. That is the hope, that Jesus will return to finish our salvation and we will rest in the eternity of God’s holiness.

May we, as God's covenant people, live in the rhythm of work and rest that He has ordained, always looking forward to the eternal Sabbath that awaits us in His glorious presence. Amen.