Genesis 2 is the first time the Sabbath is mentioned. However, there is no Biblical evidence that the Sabbath was kept after the fall of man until the time of Moses and the nation of Israel.
This does not mean the Sabbath was not a Holy day to God, but there is no direct biblical proof that the Sabbath was kept by the Patriarchs.
There is a verse in Genesis that hints that Abraham may have known about the Sabbath (Gen 26:5):
“because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Abraham must have refrained from Idolatry, Murder, Theft, and Adultry. He knew about how to build an altar to make sacrifices as did Noah. He was required to be circumcised. There is no reason to believe he did not keep a Sabbath day for worship. It is simply not recorded that he did.
Today, we know God put the Sabbath Commandment in stone with His own finger. We also know Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath Day (Mark 2:27-28).
The 10 Commandments are still a standard for Holy living for the New Covenant Christian, and the Sabbath reminds us to rest in the completed work of Jesus on the cross for the assurance of salvation.
As a Gospel Adventist it is important to remember that the Holy Spirit has blessed both non-sabbatarians and Sabbatarians over the span of history. Although we believe it is God’s ideal for Holy living it is not what saves us or makes us Christian.
Stephen Beagles (July 26, 2026)
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