Basic HTML Version
Creation: God’s Answer to Evolution
23
“The heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were fin-
ished.” “Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was
very good.” No taint of sin or shadow of death marred the beautiful
creation. “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God
shouted for joy” (
Job 38:7
).
The Blessing of the Sabbath
In six days the great work of creation had been accomplished.
And God “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had
done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because
in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”
All was perfect, worthy of its divine Author; and He rested, not
as someone who is tired, but as someone who is pleased with the
results of His wisdom and goodness.
After resting on the seventh day, God set it apart as a day of rest.
Following the example of the Creator, His human creatures were to
[14]
rest upon this sacred day, so they might think about God’s work of
creation and their hearts be filled with love and reverence for their
Maker.
The Sabbath was given to the whole human family. In observing
it, they would gratefully show that they recognized God as their
creator and rightful ruler. They were the work of His hands, the
subjects of His authority.
God saw that a Sabbath was essential for human beings, even in
Paradise. They needed to lay aside their own interests for one day
of the seven. They needed a Sabbath to remind them of God and to
awaken gratitude because all that they enjoyed came from the hand
of the Creator.
God designs that the Sabbath will direct our minds to His created
works. The beauty that clothes the earth is a token of God’s love.
The everlasting hills, the lofty trees, the opening buds and delicate
flowers, all speak to us of God. The Sabbath, pointing to Him who
made them all, invites us to open the book of nature and find in it
the wisdom, power, and love of the Creator.
Our first parents were created innocent and holy, but they were
not placed beyond the possibility of wrongdoing. God made them
free to think and decide for themselves. They could choose whether