Exodus 31:17

And was refreshed— The original word signifies, primarily, to respire, take breath, and so to be refreshed; and can only be applied to, or understood of God, more humano (after the manner of men), just as resting is applied to him: see the note on Genesis 2:2 and it perhaps would be better rendered, and ceased from his work. Accordingly the LXX have it επαυσατο, and Houbigant requievit.

REFLECTIONS.—Next to the repeated warnings against idolatry, we find no injunctions so frequent as those which regard the sabbath. These indeed have the most immediate connexion with each other, nothing being so effectual to turn them from false gods as the strict and religious observance of that day which was devoted to the worship of the true God. And as it was the means of sanctifying them, it has still the same gracious tendency to us; nor does any thing conduce more to the sanctification of our hearts and lives, than the careful observance of this holy day: whilst, on the contrary, the neglect of it is the most evident proof of a mind estranged from God, and an inlet to every abomination which naturally flows from forgetfulness of him. The breach of the sabbath was, among the Jews, punished with death: our laws too make it penal; and many who have been brought to an ignominious death have confessed this to be the beginning of their ruin. But though men elude human penalties, and with impunity continue in pleasure, business, idleness, gaming, the service of their lusts, and indulgence of their appetites, to profane these sacred hours: the time approaches when a judge shall sit upon the throne, with whom there is no respect of persons; when every sabbath-breaker will find, to his unutterable sorrow, that the wages of his sin is everlasting death.