• Welcome to Christianity Haven, thank you for visiting! If you have not already, we invite you to create an account and join in on the many discussions we have! 

    • Please be aware that when registering you must not register while using a VPN. Any registrations made using a VPN will be rejected.
    • Additionally, registration emails are not being sent out which is an issue that is being worked on. Your registration may go into an approval queue for admin approval. We work to send manual emails to the email on file, so please ensure the email you use is one you can readily access! 

Was the Sabbath kept prior to the Commandments at Sinai?

hobie

hobie

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Messages
592
Gender
Male
Religious Affiliation
Seventh Day Adventist
Political Affiliation
Conservative
Marital Status
Married
Looking at Creation with Adam and Eve there, when God created the Sabbath we can see that they knew very well about the Sabbath before the Commandments were written on the stone tablets at Sinai.

Genesis 2:2-3
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
There is no denying that God was here setting aside the Sabbath as holy time and its clear that Adam and Eve were not Jewish. "God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it" before sin entered. "Sanctified" means "to be set apart for holy use." The only ones in the Garden of Eden for whom the Sabbath was 'set apart' were Adam and Eve, who werent Jewish.

Is it logical to believe that God first created man, then the Sabbath, and then failed to mention to man that the seventh day was holy time in the weekly cycle, of course not. God must have immediately explained to Adam all about His sacred seventh day and how to observe His day as He wanted it to be observed. Everyone would have known of it from them, and would have kept the Sabbath if they followed God, in the time before Sinai. The Hebrew word translated "sanctified" in Genesis 2:3 and "hallowed" in Exodus 20:11 is qadash, a word meaning "to hallow, to pronounce holy, to consecrate, to set apart for holy use."

Abel and even Cain knew about what God had set up at Creation from their parents and giving sacrifices unto God, and notice what it says in Genesis 4..
Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

At that point, the only length of time was the week, as it wasnt counted then in months and years. The words "in process of time" are translated from the Hebrew mikkets yamim, meaning "at the end of the days." This can only be telling us that on the Sabbath, Cain and Abel, with the rest of Adam's family, gathered to worship God. So its basically when the week 'came to pass', or the weekly end, the seventh day that God had blessed and sanctified, or made holy. It is just not reasonable to think that God would make the Sabbath for man and then keep it from him for over 2000 years until Moses at Sinai. The very fact that the seven-day week existed as the weekly cycle, even till today, is good evidence the Sabbath also existed from Creation.

If you look, a week of seven days is frequently mentioned in Bible, so the patriarchs knew of the weekly cycle of the Creator who made the Sabbath. In Genesis we see that Noah was clearly acquainted with a seven-day week.
Genesis 7:4
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
Genesis 8:10
And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
Genesis 8:12
And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

Unless the Sabbath was their pivot of time, people then could not have used such a measure of days. If fact the margin rendering of Genesis 7:10 is "on the seventh day," a reference to nothing but the Sabbath. You can be sure that Noah, a just man who walked with God knew about the weekly cycle, and kept God's seventh-day that He blessed and made holy.

And if you read what was given at Sinai, you see "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God."
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The Bible never calls it "the Sabbath of the Jews." It isnt their Sabbath, but God's. Another thing you find is that the Sabbath commandment is for the "stranger" too.

Isaiah 56:5-7
5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

The fourth commandment itself as we saw, says the "stranger" is to rest on the Sabbath.
Exodus 20:10
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

'Strangers' are non-Jews, or Gentiles. Thus the Sabbath applies to them too, and the Creator who made heaven and earth also made the Sabbath....

Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
 
J

jswauto

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2025
Messages
724
Gender
Male
Religious Affiliation
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Acceptance of the Trinity & Nicene Creed
Yes

✨HOW GOD REVEALS HIS NAME THROUGH HISTORY​

✨INTRO — The Progressive Revelation of the Name of the Lord​

Throughout Scripture, God reveals His Name progressively, never all at once. Each new name is unveiled in real time, inside a real historical moment, as God interacts with His people. The Bible does not present God’s identity as a static list of titles — instead, His Names emerge as living revelations, tied to covenant, crisis, deliverance, judgment, and redemption. Every name marks a moment where God steps closer, shows more of Himself, and displays a greater dimension of His sovereignty and power.
From Genesis to Revelation, the unfolding of God’s Name is a storyline — a divine sequence where each revelation builds upon the last. God begins as Elohim, the Creator of all things, but as the story advances, He reveals Himself as YHWH, the covenant‑keeping God; El Shaddai, the Almighty; Yahweh‑Jireh, the Provider; Yahweh‑Rapha, the Healer; Yahweh‑Nissi, the Warrior; Yahweh‑Shalom, the Peace‑giver; and so on. Each name is not merely a title — it is a self‑disclosure, a moment where God shows His people exactly who He is in the middle of their need.
This progressive revelation reaches its climax in the New Testament when Jesus declares, “I have manifested Your Name” (John 17:6). In Him, every name of God finds its fulfillment. Jesus embodies the character, power, and presence behind every Old Testament revelation. And after His resurrection, He is given the Name above every name, completing the sequence that began in Genesis.
What emerges is a breathtaking pattern: God reveals His Name as His people need to know Him. Each name is tied to a moment of crisis, covenant, or victory. Each name reveals a deeper layer of His nature. Each name expands the understanding of His sovereignty. Each name prepares the way for the next revelation.
The Bible’s chronology becomes a theological progression, a step‑by‑step unveiling of the Lord’s identity — from Creator, to Covenant‑Keeper, to Redeemer, to King, to the One whose Name every knee will bow before.

1. Elohim — Creator God (Genesis 1)​

God reveals Himself first as the all‑powerful Creator. The Bible opens with God revealing Himself as Elohim, the all‑powerful Creator who speaks worlds into existence. This name establishes His sovereignty over all creation — the One who begins everything and depends on nothing.

2. YHWH (Yahweh) — The Covenant God (Genesis 2–3)​

God reveals His personal, relational name. Immediately after creation, God reveals His personal name, YHWH, showing that He is not only Creator but relational, covenant‑making, and covenant‑keeping. This is the name of intimacy, presence, and faithfulness.

3. El Elyon — God Most High (Genesis 14)​

Revealed through Melchizedek after Abraham’s victory. After Abraham’s victory, Melchizedek blesses him in the name of El Elyon, revealing God as the supreme ruler over nations, kings, and spiritual powers. This name shows God’s authority over all earthly and heavenly realms.

4. El Shaddai — God Almighty (Genesis 17)​

Revealed when Abraham is powerless to fulfill the promise. When Abraham is 99 and physically unable to fulfill God’s promise, God reveals Himself as El Shaddai, the Almighty One who performs the impossible. This name is tied to human weakness and divine power.

5. Yahweh‑Jireh — The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22)​

Revealed on Mount Moriah during Isaac’s near‑sacrifice. On Mount Moriah, when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, God provides a ram and reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Jireh. This name is tied to obedience, testing, and miraculous provision.

6. Yahweh‑Rapha — The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15)​

Revealed after the bitter waters of Marah are healed. At Marah, God heals the bitter waters and reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Rapha, the Healer. This name is tied to physical healing, emotional restoration, and spiritual renewal.

7. Yahweh‑Nissi — The Lord My Banner (Exodus 17)​

Revealed during Israel’s battle with Amalek. During the battle with Amalek, Moses lifts his hands and Israel prevails. God reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Nissi, the One who fights for His people. This name is tied to warfare, victory, and divine protection.

8. Yahweh‑Mekaddishkem — The Lord Who Sanctifies (Exodus 31)​

Revealed in the giving of the Sabbath. In giving the Sabbath, God reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Mekaddishkem, the One who sets His people apart. This name is tied to holiness, identity, and covenant distinction

9. Yahweh‑Shalom — The Lord Is Peace (Judges 6)​

Revealed to Gideon in fear and oppression. When Gideon is terrified, God reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Shalom, the God of peace. This name is tied to fear, oppression, and divine reassurance.

10. Yahweh‑Rohi — The Lord My Shepherd (Psalm 23)​

Revealed through David’s life of dependence. Through David’s life of danger, wandering, and dependence, God reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Rohi, the Shepherd who guides, protects, and restores.

11. Yahweh‑Tsidkenu — The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23)​

Revealed in the promise of the coming Messiah. In the prophecy of the coming Messiah, God reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Tsidkenu, the One who provides righteousness. This name points directly to Jesus.

12. Yahweh‑Shammah — The Lord Is There (Ezekiel 48)​

Revealed in the vision of the restored temple. In Ezekiel’s vision of the restored temple, God reveals Himself as Yahweh‑Shammah, the God who dwells with His people. This name anticipates Emmanuel — God with us.

13. Jesus — The Fullness of God’s Name (John 17:6, 26)​

Jesus reveals the Father completely: “I have manifested Your Name.”
Every name of God finds its fulfillment in Him. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s character, presence, and power.

14. The Name Above Every Name — Lord of All (Philippians 2)​

Jesus is given the ultimate Name, completing the revelation.
After His resurrection, Jesus is given the Name above every name, completing the revelation of God’s identity. Every knee bows. Every tongue confesses. The revelation is complete.

🌟SUMMARY​

The Bible reveals God’s Name progressively, each revelation tied to:
  • a crisis
  • a covenant
  • a miracle
  • a moment of human weakness
  • a display of divine power
Each name reveals more sovereignty, more intimacy, more glory, until the full revelation arrives in Jesus Christ.
 
Last edited:
J

jswauto

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2025
Messages
724
Gender
Male
Religious Affiliation
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Acceptance of the Trinity & Nicene Creed
Yes

– The Unfolding Revelation of God’s Nature and Law​

From the beginning, God does not drop a complete system of theology and law on humanity. Instead, He walks history forward, revealing His nature and His will in stages. In Genesis 1–3, we meet Elohim, the holy Creator, and humans made in His image. Even before any written code, there is moral responsibility: a command, a test, a fall. In Cain and Abel, we see that worship can be acceptable or unacceptable; in Enoch and Noah, we see that one can “walk with God” before Sinai. With Noah, God establishes basic moral boundaries—respect for life, accountability for bloodshed—showing that His moral order is already in place long before the tablets of stone.
With Abraham, God moves from general revelation to covenant revelation. He calls Abraham, promises to bless all nations through him, and reveals Himself as the God who justifies by faith (Genesis 15:6). Abraham’s story shows that righteousness is rooted in trust, not in a law code. When Abraham is tested with Isaac, God reveals Himself as Provider, tying His nature to a moment of radical obedience and sacrificial trust. Here, God’s character and ways are being unveiled, but the full structure of His law has not yet been given.
At Sinai, the revelation intensifies. God reveals His personal name, YHWH, and His terrifying holiness in fire, thunder, and cloud. The Ten Commandments crystallize what was already morally true—exclusive loyalty to God, honor, truthfulness, sexual purity, respect for life and property—but now written, public, and covenantal. The civil and ceremonial laws that follow show how a holy God can dwell among a sinful people: sacrifices, priesthood, purity laws, and festivals all dramatize His holiness, mercy, and order. The law is not arbitrary; it is a portrait of God’s character in legal form.
As Israel moves through the wilderness and into the land, the law is re‑preached and internalized. Deuteronomy reframes the law as an expression of love: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart…” Obedience is not mere compliance; it is covenant affection. The period of Judges and Kings exposes human failure under the law—idolatry, injustice, and rebellion—revealing that knowing God’s standards is not enough; the heart itself is broken. The Psalms and Wisdom books show another layer: the law is not just obligation, but delight. The psalmist loves God’s law, meditates on it, and finds life and guidance in it, while also wrestling with suffering, injustice, and the mystery of God’s ways.
The prophets push the revelation further. They insist that God’s law is not satisfied by ritual alone; it demands justice, mercy, and humility. God exposes hypocrisy: sacrifices without obedience, festivals without righteousness, worship without compassion. Through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Micah, and others, God reveals His heart for the poor, the oppressed, the widow, and the stranger. At the same time, He promises a new covenant: a day when His law will be written on hearts, when He will give a new spirit, and when obedience will flow from inner transformation rather than external pressure. Here, God unveils Himself as not only Lawgiver and Judge, but Redeemer and Heart‑Changer.
In Jesus, the unveiling reaches its climax. He is the exact image of the invisible God, the Word made flesh, the One who can say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jesus does not abolish the law; He fulfills it. In the Sermon on the Mount, He takes the commandments and presses them into the heart: anger as murder, lust as adultery, love for enemies as the true fulfillment of God’s will. He reveals that the law always aimed at love—of God and neighbor—and that external compliance without inner transformation misses the point. At the cross, God’s justice and mercy meet: the law’s righteous condemnation of sin is satisfied, and yet sinners are forgiven and reconciled. The resurrection declares that this way—grace through the crucified and risen Son—is God’s definitive answer.
Under the New Covenant, the law is no longer a stone code standing over us; it becomes a Spirit‑written reality within us. Paul speaks of the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” and the “law of Christ,” where love fulfills the law. The Spirit produces the fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self‑control—that the law described but could not generate. The church becomes the place where God’s nature is displayed: holiness, unity, sacrificial love, and humble service. In Revelation, the unveiling is complete: God’s will is perfectly done, His people are fully conformed to His character, and His presence fills all things. The story that began with a command in a garden ends with a city where the Lamb is the light and God’s law is no longer external instruction but the very atmosphere of existence.
So the Bible doesn’t just reveal what God wants; it reveals who God is, and it does so progressively. His nature, His laws, His ways, and His purposes are unveiled step by step—through creation, covenant, law, prophets, Christ, and Spirit—until the fullness of His character and will is seen in Jesus and finally in the restored creation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom