The concept of God resting is found throughout the Bible, beginning in the creation account in Genesis. On the seventh day after God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them, the Bible says “God rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done” (Genesis 2:2). This establishes the pattern of the Sabbath day of rest, which God instituted for mankind. Later passages provide more details about what it means for God to rest and the purposes behind it.
What does it mean that God rested?
When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it does not imply that He was tired or needed to recover from His creative work. Rather, resting reflects that God had completed his work of creation and ceased from that particular work. Genesis 2:3 says “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.” Resting marked the end of one phase of God’s creative, purposeful work and the beginning of another. It also served as an example for mankind to follow in working for six days and resting on the seventh.
God’s rest means He stopped His work of creation, not that He became inactive. Jesus confirmed this in John 5:17, stating “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” While God rested from the work of creation, He continues to uphold and sustain the universe He created (Hebrews 1:3). The fact that God rested means the work of creation was completed, not that He became tired or powerless to continue creating. His rest marked a cessation of the work, not a cessation of His power.
Why did God rest on the seventh day?
The Bible gives several reasons behind God’s resting on the seventh day:
To reflect on His completed work
After six days of purposefully creating the heavens, the earth, and everything in them, God took a day to reflect on the goodness of His completed work. Genesis 1 repeatedly states that God saw His created works were “good” (verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). Taking a sabbath rest allowed God to reflect in deep satisfaction on the beauty and perfection of all He had made. It served as a divine acknowledgment and celebration of the masterpiece of creation.
To set an example for mankind
God worked for six days and rested for one as a pattern for humanity. Exodus 20:8-11 and Exodus 31:12-17 state that because God rested on the seventh day, Israelites were to work for six days and rest on the seventh also. God did not require rest because He was tired; He rested to establish the Sabbath for mankind’s benefit. Setting aside a sabbath day every week keeps human labor and achievement in perspective compared to God’s glory and enables people to regularly refocus their hearts on God.
To establish an orderly rhythm
The pattern of working for six days and resting for one creates an orderly rhythm and cycle to life and work. Rather than endlessly laboring, a day of rest provides needed renewal. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states there is “a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” The cycle of work and rest resembles the orderly natural cycles God embedded into His creation, bringing efficiency, productivity, and blessing to man’s labor.
To spend unhurried time with Adam and Eve
After creating mankind on the sixth day, God rested on the seventh day in part to spend quality, unrushed time with His new human creations. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, developing His relationship with them (Genesis 3:8). His rest allowed God to fellowship with man without the busyness of ongoing creative work.
How does God’s rest relate to man resting on the Sabbath?
God’s rest on the seventh day establishes the foundation for the commandment to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy, as stated in Exodus 20:8-11. By blessing and hallowing the seventh day as a day of rest, God set it apart from the other days of work for mankind to honor. As God reflected on His finished work, humans are to meditate on God’s greatness and provision. As God found refreshment through rest, people are to be spiritually and physically refreshed on the Sabbath.
However, people are not permitted to rest from all work as God did. Necessary work like preparing food (Exodus 12:16), assisting the sick (Luke 13:10-16), and meeting urgent needs (1 Maccabees 2:31-41) was permitted on the Sabbath. But ordinary occupational work aimed at making a profit and menial daily tasks were to cease so God’s people could wholeheartedly focus on Him.
Whereas God does not grow weary or need rest, He prescribed the Sabbath for man’s benefit. Humans need cycles of work and rest, and resting on the Sabbath combats weariness, anxiety, greed, and dissatisfaction. Observing the Sabbath reminds people that God sustains all things, freeing them from dependence on their own efforts. It provides needed perspective that life consists of more than earthly pursuits. Honoring the Sabbath rest God instituted allows humans to regularly reconnect with God.
What other passages describe God resting?
In addition to Genesis 2, other Bible passages offer insight about God resting:
Exodus 31:17
“It is a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”
This verse confirms that God was refreshed and rejuvenated through His Sabbath rest. While He did not need physical rest from labor, resting brought spiritual renewal after accomplishing the magnificent work of creation.
Hebrews 4:3-4, 9-10
“Now we who have believed enter that rest…And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: ‘On the seventh day God rested from all his works’…There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
The writer of Hebrews explains that those who believe can enter God’s Sabbath rest. This means resting from self-effort to earn salvation and instead embracing the grace of God.
Isaiah 40:28
“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…”
This affirms that God does not become weary or exhausted. His rest is for human benefit, not divine necessity. God has unlimited strength and power.
What is the significance of God resting?
While God did not need to rest, His choice to rest on the seventh day carries profound theological and practical significance.
It completed God’s creation
God’s rest marked the completion of His glorious work in creating the heavens, the earth, and everything in them in six days. Nothing else needed to be added; creation was perfectly finished.
It demonstrated God’s satisfaction with His creation
Each day during the creation week, God affirmed His work was good. Resting reflected God’s supreme joy and satisfaction with His handiwork. Everything He created was exactly according to His supreme purpose.
It established the Sabbath ordinance
God embedded the pattern of work and rest into the rhythm of creation. His rest ordained the seventh day as a holy Sabbath day of ceasing work to focus on spiritual pursuits. This Commandment benefits mankind physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
It signified the beginning of God’s direct relationship with man
After creating Adam and Eve, God began fellowshipping directly with mankind during His Sabbath rest on the seventh day. His rest marked the start of His unfolding covenant relationship with humanity.
It demonstrated God’s complete sovereignty and control over creation
God does not depend on creation; rather, all creation depends on Him. His ability to rest apart from any need to sustain the universe displays His absolute dominion and lordship over all things.
How is Jesus the fulfillment of God’s rest?
The New Testament reveals that Jesus provides the ultimate fulfillment of the Sabbath rest first instituted by God at creation. The Letter to the Hebrews explains how Christ fulfills the meaning behind God’s seventh day rest in multiple ways:
Through His finished work of salvation
Just as God finished the work of creation, Jesus proclaimed His work of redemption complete by crying out “It is finished” before dying on the cross (John 19:30). His sacrifice fully accomplished atonement for sins once for all (Hebrews 10:10-14). Those who rest by faith in Christ cease laboring to earn their own salvation.
As the perfect intercessor and high priest
Whereas human priests stand to minister then rest, Jesus sat down at God’s right hand after presenting His finished sacrifice, interceding continually for believers (Hebrews 10:11-14). He permanently holds His priesthood; it will never pass to another. There is no more need for sacrifices for sin.
By entering God’s heavenly rest
After resurrecting from the dead, Jesus ascended to reign in heaven until making all enemies a footstool for His feet (Hebrews 1:13). He entered the throne room of God to rule and intercede, a place of perfect divine rest.
By promising rest to those who trust in Him
Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and they will find rest for their souls, as He is gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:28-30). Turning to Christ in faith provides the soul deep spiritual rest.
Conclusion
The Bible’s revelation of God resting on the seventh day after creation provides deep theological insights. God’s Sabbath rest completed the creation week, demonstrated satisfaction in His works, set apart the Sabbath day, and began His special relationship with mankind. Additionally, Jesus is the fulfillment of the sabbath rest. He provided the finished work of redemption and sits enthroned in heavenly rest with all authority. We can cease laboring to earn salvation and enter God’s rest by grace through faith in Christ.