Genesis 2:1-3; June 4, 2023; Trinity Sunday
On this Trinity Sunday, I think it would only be appropriate to begin by looking at a triad. So above my shoulder to the right, and over on the screen to my left, you’ll see that today’s slide features a bit more information than just the title of today’s sermon. For those reading along and unable to see the screens, it appears as follows:
1—> 4
2 —>5
3 —>6
7
And while I like hieroglyphics and puzzles, I promise that the meaning of these numbers and arrows is a lot less elegant and a lot more simplistic. What you’re looking at are simply the days of creation, as authored by the poetic minds of Genesis 1-2. In what has become known as the “Framework Interpretation-Hypothesis” the first triad (days 1, 2, and 3, as represented on the left of the slide), represents the “kingdoms” or arenas that God first created in our world:
the first day – light from dark; day and night
the second day – the sky and waters, and the dome that separates each
the third day – the dry land and oceans, the plants and trees
The second triad (days 4, 5, 6, as represented on the right of the slide), represents the “kings” of those kingdoms, or those who were given the freedom by God to populate them:
the fourth day – the sun, moon, and stars
the fifth day – creatures in the sea and birds that fly
the sixth day – animals, mammals, insects, and of course, humans
Do you see how they correspond? Day one goes straight across to day four (light and dark — > sun, moon, and stars); day two goes with day five (sky and waters — > sea creatures and birds); day three works with day six (dry land, etc. — > animals, insects, humans). See how they match? Thus, suggesting that the days of creation in Genesis weren’t just ordered this way by chance, but with purpose, for symmetry. Two triads working in harmony, one created for the other, and vice versa.
Now, like in all things, there have been critics of this model. Because of course. Those who say that it saps God’s authority over the Word, because it turns the account of Creation into a creative literary exercise. But for me, I kind of like it, especially and primarily because my faith in God is one that sees the Divine as our first poet; the Great Literary Mind and Author, if you will; the creator of all things pretty and beautiful, as poetry often is. So, you see, this framework doesn’t threaten my view of God’s authority, but rather, expands upon and more colorfully expresses it.
All well and good Pastor, but there’s still one problem, some folks say: the model doesn’t make room for the Sabbath. In its triadic framework, it leaves day seven out, placing it beneath or after.
Yes… but maybe, that’s not a problem at all. In fact, maybe that’s why this framework works so well, at least for me. For it reminds me that without rest, without taking a break after, without claiming a sabbath, the triads of creation are forever locked into a singular time and pattern (1-6). But with day seven existing on its own, following the formula with a period of rest, creation becomes possible again, and a new triad forms once more, such that creation continues creatively on (from day 8, let’s say, to eternity).
And to me, joyfully, that sounds a lot closer to the meaning of our gospel. For the good news is that creation is always at work, both out there and within us; because the Spirit isn’t locked into or relegated to a time in history, or to a single event back then or even in here (the Bible); but is instead alive in the world, active both now and even forever more. And that is great news, indeed, because that means also that God and Christ are alive and still at work too, because in all three, they are yet one in Trinity.
So likewise, likewise, when I get stuck… be it writing a sermon, thinking through a problem, or wading through an argument… I am reminded in this lesson that the best way forward is often to take a step back and take a break. To take a pause, a walk, or even a shower, or most obviously, going to bed and getting to sleep. For when I put things down, and let them lie, it’s usually then that a new idea or dream or pathway forward will open up to me and I’ll go grabbing the pen, paper, and pad once again. And I imagine the same thing happens for you too, right?
But of course, this is all prettier and easier said than done. For there are also countless times and volumes of examples, when I forget to put things down and let them lie, and just keep barreling forward, knocking my head against the wall, leading to frustration either with myself, or an idea, or a counterpart, whoever and whatever they may be.
I think of moments with my beautiful wife when we get into arguments. And how we forget that the best and easiest way towards listening, understanding, and reconciling, is after we step away, cool down, and then come back.
And so, when we just barrel ahead without remembering to also hit pause, we forget. We all forget that there weren’t just six days of creation — of endless activity and non-stop energy — but also a seventh, a day of rest, and a moment to analyze, reflect, and reset.
And so, if we are to truly honor God, and be just as our Psalmist describes in our Call to Worship this morning (“a little lower than God”), then we too need to make room for, and prioritize rest, just as God did. To advocate for taking breaks. To model that good things can come when we also are able to calm down for a bit, and breathe, and recalibrate.
Now, of course, our society and our culture doesn’t really help us do that effectively, now does it? No, instead it teaches us to move at a break-neck pace. To work, work, work until we die prematurely and then assuredly rest eternally.
All around, the system encourages us to fill every moment of silence with something, or a screen. To even yell at our kids to keep moving or to find another activity, instead of just letting them breathe for a second so they can try to figure out what they can do, or who they can be, or what they might be able to create next if they were able to just be.
And it is okay, my friends, really, to just let them, or even ourselves, be. It really is. At least for a bit, at least for a moment, or a day of rest. It truly is. I promise.
I remember living in Italy, and eating in the piazzas in Florence in the middle of the day, and wondering, why is everyone here so darn happy? Is it the sun? The architecture? The art? The wine? The food? All of the above? Or is it because they also have siesta time, and prioritize and celebrate taking a break from work, to rest, recharge, and recoup.
And even though I was literally handed that real-life educational example on a plate, I am just as guilty if not the most sinful one here. For how many times has someone like Joel cautioned me to take Monday off and not respond to emails; and how many times with you all have I already failed? Almost every week, I think.
Worse even, just last week when I was asked by a kid here what my ideal super-power would be, if I could have any at all, I answered that it would be to never sleep! How stupid and foolish of me! Haven’t I learned anything at all from scripture, from Genesis, or even, from the greatest comedy show ever created in Seinfeld (see, there’s your pop-culture reference, who won the pool?). For remember that episode where Kramer tries to never go to sleep? He ends up in a body-bag thrown overboard into the East River! Just see then how bad things can get when going against our God-given example on day seven!
And so, while it is true that I love life, and I love learning, and being ever productive and in regular communication, just like all of you… I too need to remember that God created and honored the sabbath for a reason. For a reason. So that like God, when we are attempting to make a new triad, a new formation, to build something new — as we are charged by the Spirit to continuously do — we will do so, effectively, if we are also re-energized, after hitting pause and getting some time away. To sleep. To pray. To rest.
Amen.
