Q. 20. What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?
A. The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under his dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.
Yes, there is difference between the times of man before the fall and afterwards. We will read more on God’s provenance to us fallen man next, but do note some things remain.
It’s interesting about the Sabbath, pastor Jogi Ganger at our friend’s church in 2019 did a sermon series the subject as discussed in the Heidelberg Catechism. Here are links to it. But note the Sabbath didn’t first appear to Moses in the 10 Commandments. Also on your own if you wish to jump ahead the WLC covers the subject in Questions 114-121, quite a long discussion. Be sure to read Vos’ Commentary.
Pastor Ganger also has these three sermons on the Sabbath…I am sure there will be a few challenging things in here, but I plan to listen to them.
These are sermon links…average 35-40 minutes…All from Lord’s Day 38 teaching of the Heidelberg Catechism. I would do them in order.
March 31, 2019
http://trinityurcwc.org/?wpfc_sermon=sabbath-behavior
March 24, 2019
http://trinityurcwc.org/?wpfc_sermon=remember-the-sabbath
March 17, 2019
Rainbow Trout 