Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

GENESIS 2:1–8

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

ISAIAH 40:28

—

After creating the world in all its ‘vast array’, God rested. The creator of the heavens and the earth who formed the immense expanses of the sky and the sea, who designed the rhino, the cactus, you, and me – he rested. Isaiah 40:28 makes it clear that God does not grow tired or weary. So why did he rest?

The Hebrew word used for rest in Genesis 2:2 is ‘shabbat’, which means to stop or to cease. God was not recovering from the effort of creating; he simply stopped creating and took up the cosmic throne to celebrate his great work.

Three points emerge from this truth that have the power to radically transform our lives.

Firstly, God sets a pattern for each of us to follow. In verse 3, God blesses the seventh day. This rhythm of work and rest is constantly repeated as a command to his people, not least as one of the Ten Commandments. We’re given a pattern of a working life and resting life hardwired into creation itself.

It’s September. For many of us, this means moving into a new term, new job, or new team. The pressure is stronger than ever to miss out on nothing and to do everything. But will this rhythm of work and rest be constant? Where are the moments when we, too, can cease working?

Secondly, we are not God. God was not weak and did not need rest – but we are, and we do. How wonderful our God is, that he spent a day resting to set a pattern for us that we so desperately need! Resting is a good gift and a gracious command. So, how can we protect that gift? How might our Saturdays impact our Sundays or the way we work from home affect our evening rest?

Thirdly, God rested on the seventh day because creation was complete. Throughout the Bible, the number seven signals completeness. In this case, God’s creation work was finished; creation was very good. So, what should our rest look like? It’s an opportunity to celebrate the work God has done. It’s a time to thank God for creation, the salvation that’s complete in Jesus, and the grace upon grace that we have been shown. How can we nurture a heart of thanksgiving for the work God has finished in our moments of rest?

Dorothy Moorley
Dorothy Moorley is an incoming criminal pupil barrister and recent graduate of the CARE Leadership Programme.

God rested. We have the joy of following his example! Which of the three reasons to rest could we prioritise this week?’