Exodus 35:2

Six days shall work be done. These words contain not only a permission, but a command: the people were to be engaged in the labor of their calling during the week, and none to be found needlessly idle. Cf 2 Thessalonians 3:12. But on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord; whosoever doeth work therein, performs the labor of his station or calling, shall be put to death. The government of Israel being theocratic, under the immediate direction of the Lord, the rulers were charged to execute the Sabbath-breaker.