The Gift of Rest
Man had not known one day of labor, yet God gave him the example of rest.
Depending upon the translation you choose to study, the word rest is mentioned between 390 and 520 times. The first example of rest is given to us in Genesis.
Genesis 2: 1 So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
On the seventh day, God rested. He rested and designated the seventh day of every week as a holy day of rest.
He already knew, the very day he chose to rest, that though we had yet to labor or face anything of life, that we would need rest.
God mentions rest all through the book of Exodus. In fact, it is mentioned in The Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:8 Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.
Jesus expanded upon this in Mark 2:27 Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.
The Lord said in Exodus 16:29 "They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord's gift to you..."
It was not merely a day for man to rest from his labors, but a day for renewal of mind and spirit.
In Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest--"
Jesus said something similar in Matthew 11:28, "...Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
It wasn't just for man. That seventh day of rest was meant for the animals that man used to plow land, as well. Moses was also instructed to allot the seventh year as a year of rest for the land, for vineyards and orchards as well as fields.
Exodus 23:10 "Plant and harvest your crop for six years, 11 but let the land be renewed and lie uncultivated during the seventh year... the same applies to your vineyards and olive groves."
Rest was vital to man, animal and land.
Do you remember when everything ceased on a Sunday? Churches were open, but stores nor restaurants were. Towns were quiet as people rested from their labor. Slowly busyness has crept into our lives all over again. In a world that wants to go on and on 24/7 without ever ceasing, it takes a real effort to hold to the principle of resting for one full day.
Rest was given as a gift, a time of restoration, a quiet space in our week. The world has made it feel more and more like work to accept that gift, but once you do, you'll find your whole being reaching eagerly for it.
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