Creation, Rest, and Reign: What Genesis Meant to the Ancient World (Rachel Booth Smith) Ep. #224

What if Genesis 1 wasn’t about the origin of matter—but the enthronement of God? And what if “rest” wasn’t the end of work, but the beginning of reign? In this episode, Rachel Booth Smith, author of Rest Assured, joins Dru Johnson to explore how the Genesis creation story contrasts with other ancient Near Eastern accounts. With a storyteller’s gift and a pastor’s heart, Smith explains how comparing biblical cosmogony to Egyptian or Hittite myths can actually strengthen, not weaken, our faith in the text. “Sometimes the campfire would get very upset,” she says, imagining ancient neighbors reacting to Genesis’ claim that the sun and moon are just objects—not gods. She also unpacks the significance of Sabbath as sacred reign, not divine nap time. “Rest is like saying sitting down at a throne because everything is operating correctly,” she explains. The seven-day structure wasn’t arbitrary—it was holy, “marked out,” signaling both the order of creation and the rhythm of life. Most importantly, Rachel shows how this re-reading of Genesis leads us to trust. “If I can get to the end of a Sabbath and realize you are God and I am not, I feel like that was a win.” For Rachel's book "Rest Assured," head here: https://www.moodypublishers.com/rest-assured/ We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles:https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThoughtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthoughtThreads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthoughtX: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThoughtBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction01:08 The Genesis of Understanding Creation03:55 Bridging Ancient and Modern Perspectives07:08 The Concept of Rest in Creation10:18 Sabbath: A Rhythm of Work and Rest13:22 The Nature of God’s Power and Authority16:01 Cultural Contexts and Creation Narratives19:23 The Role of the Sun and Other Deities22:07 The Significance of Seven in Creation25:14 The Uniqueness of Genesis' Creation Account28:06 The Implications of a Non-Conflict Creation31:16 The Importance of Trusting God34:09 Conclusion: Insights from Ancient Near Eastern Literature