Genesis 2:1–3
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
I only included the seventh day in the reading for today but you can read all of chapter one for more context.
Often times what's not said is as important as what is said in a text. Here on the seventh day we see a departure from the normal formula of creation day descriptions. Each of the other six days ends with "and there was evening and there was morning". The seventh day alone does not contain this phrase. Likely this implies the continuation of this 7th day rest. In the garden the humans had the ability to remain in this state with God. Perfect harmony between God, man and creation exists. Sin, death and pain is nowhere to be found. Peace is fully present.
Yet, when given the opportunity to remain in this state the humans screw it up (see Genesis ch. 3). Instead of remaining as stewards of God, caring for and ruling over creation, working in the purest sense of the word, they try to take matters into their own hands by "being like God, knowing good and evil". This of course leads to the ruin of the 7th day rest, the exile from the garden and the return to chaos and disorder. The work they now do is to survive and comes with great toil. This pattern is one that will be repeated time and time again throughout Israel's history. We will briefly trace this theme throughout this week.
The word for seven in Hebrew is שֶׁ֫בַע (shaba) and the word for Sabbath is שָׁבַת֙ (shabbat). Sabbath and the number seven are derived from the same word and carry similar connotations, hence the significance of the number seven and the Sabbath in Jewish culture and theology. The word translated "rested" in v. 3 is the same as the word for Sabbath. Sabbath carries the same implication of rest. The most basic meaning of this word is "to cease" but it is often translated as "rest" to imply a cessation of work. The number seven and Sabbath both imply wholeness, completion as seen in creation, perfect harmony and balance so all creation can be at rest.
In verse 2 it says that the seventh day was made holy, that is set apart for special use. The use intended is the worship of God, a major part of which was the required rest. More on this tomorrow.
This is an absolutely foundational principle in the nation of Israel. They build their weekly calendar, their yearly calendar and their generational calendar on this principle. The significance of this in the theology of the Jewish people can hardly be overstated. The entire storyline of the Bible can be thought of through this theme, which we will see in the days ahead. The garden on the seventh day here represents the perfect harmony between God, humanity and creation. This harmony is lost. The rest of the narrative of Scripture is leading to a return to this Eden harmony and peace.
So in a day of resting we are, in part, looking back to Eden and actively remembering the seventh day rest that once was in Genesis 2:1-3.