Chapter 7: The Lost World of Genesis One

Chapter 7 is titled 'Divine Rest Is in a Temple'. This chapter marks a change from Chapter 6 and the preceding chapters. 

What are temples for? The author argues that in olden days, temple is meant to be the resting place of the deity. The author quotes from Psalms to make his compelling case. Here is the quote: 

Let us go to his dwelling place,

let us worship at his footstool --

"arise, O Lord, ad come to your resting place, 

you and the ark of your might." 

For the Lord has chosen Zion, 

he has desired it for his dwelling: 

"This is my resting place for ever and ever; 

here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it." ( Psalms 132.7-8, 13-14; NIV)

The 'dwelling place' here signifies the temple, and this is where the Lord rests. 'Sabat' is to mean 'ceasing', a completion of certain activity. And when this activity ceases, certain kind of stability ensues.The idea that Temple is built is to ensure that the divine one will rest there, and provide stability from there; it is the headquarter from where he will provide safety or stability or governance to the adherents. This concept was there in ancient Israel as well as neighbouring kingdoms. The Lord rests on the seventh day is to mean that he is going to disengaged from the creative activity of the kind he was engaged in during the previous six days, and he will now be providing ruling or stability or running of the regular affairs.