Problem: An all-powerful being would not need to rest. And yet, God rests on the seventh day of creation.
Solution: The text says that God rested, but it doesn’t say that he needed to rest. God did not rest because he was tired. He rested because he was finished with his work. In the same way, a musician might make a musical rest in between measures, but this isn’t because she is tired.[1] She would rest because it was part of her masterpiece. Moreover, the Bible teaches that God has continued to rest to this day (Ps. 95:7-11; Jn. 5:16-18; Heb. 4:1-11). After humanity came about, there have been no more new species. God “ceased” from his creative activity.
[1] Ross, Hugh. The Genesis Question: Scientific Advances and the Accuracy of Genesis. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1998. 63.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (Gen 2:2-3)”
