January 14th
The creation account is telling us that there was a purpose in everything that God created, including us. He is creating beings that are designed specifically to interact with one another and the environment around them. The purpose of sea creatures was to interact with the seas and oceans and multiply in them, as well as other living creatures in their respective habitats. All of these beings were created to provide for humans. God is creating a world with bountiful resources for them to thrive in. He is creating humans to be like Him, as they are created in His image.
The human person is given dominion over all living beings. They are not doing much in this account because they were just created. However, their primary task is to reproduce like all other living things. God places humans above all other creatures because they were made in His image. What this reading conveys in terms of the role of human beings is that this world was made for them. God gave made Earth plentiful of resources for them to use to maintain this image they have. It also is a display of His undying love He has for them. For Him to spend six days creating a world so extensively and meticulously for them shows the love He has for them, like a father does. This account is the beginning of the father-like relationship that writers establish throughout the Bible, and is integral to understanding who God is.
I believe the seventh day is meant to emphasize the amount of work that was put into making the Earth perfect for humans. It gives readers an idea of how detailed God was in making this world. People get tired after six days of working and need a day, maybe two, of rest. Even though God may not particularly need this rest, it helps readers understand how extensive this creation was.
Summer Kerksick Theology Blog 