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Analysis Of Genesis 2 : 1-3 And Implications For Today 's Leaders

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An Exegetical Analysis of Genesis 2:1-3 and Implications for Today’s Leaders The importance of rest, the Sabbath and 7th day cycles found in Genesis 2:1-3 (NRSV) have lost their meaning in today’s world of secularism. Kingdoms, governments, social-economic conditions, political climate changes, technology and globalization have distorted, reduced, eliminated and retrofitted these concepts to meet individualistic purposes. Bridging the original text meaning, comparing the biblical and present day audience, determining the theological principles, relevance to all scripture, and how to live out the theological principles results in an interpretative journey (Duvall & Hays, 2012, p. 39) of Genesis 2:1-3 (NRSV). This paper will show how the …show more content…

56). Interesting enough, these principles were instituted and practice before they were formally given to Moses for the people (Nicoll, 1889). An exegetical analysis of Genesis 2:1-3 (NRSV) sets the stage for understanding the importance of rest, the Sabbath, and 7th day cycles seventh day. This analysis will consist of a historical overview of (a) what this scripture meant in biblical times verses the difference between the biblical and modern day audiences; (b) understanding the theological principles in the text; (c) the differences between the biblical and today’s audience; (d) how the principles fit with the rest of the bible; and (e) how the text can be applied today.
Grasping The Text – Biblical Audience It is important to understand what the text meant to the Old Testament audience in order to understand the underlying principles. This pericope focuses on Genesis 2:1-3 (NRSV), which reveals these scriptures as substantive forerunners for the Laws of Moses in that commandments were given to rest (verse 1), observe the Sabbath (verse 2), and observe the 7th day cycle (verse 3). Verse 1. Genesis 2:1 marked the pronouncement of God’s perfectly completed creative process (Waltke, 2016, p. 56). The specificity of the words, “thus the heavens and earth were finished” signifies an orderly progression of God’s creative process, which was followed by reflection of His works. Verse 2. “And on the seventh day,” indicates at least two things happened prior to this

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