Staff Reports
In a recent series on rest and work, the significance of rest within the context of the biblical narrative is explored. In the book of Genesis, it is highlighted that God worked for six days, and then rested on the seventh. While God clearly does not need rest in the same way humans do, the act of resting is depicted as a deliberate and intentional part of the creation narrative.
Western Journal: Created to Rest: Entering Into Joyful Communion with God https://t.co/HR87VKrELj
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The concept of rest is often viewed in modern society as merely a functional necessity, serving the purpose of rejuvenating the body to continue working. However, the biblical account challenges this perspective by emphasizing the sanctity and importance of rest, highlighting that it is intertwined with the act of creation itself.
The biblical narrative presents a pattern of work and rest, with both being esteemed and woven together. The command to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy in the Ten Commandments is grounded on God’s own pattern of working and resting, establishing a clear link between creation and the observance of Sabbath.
Further insights from the Old Testament reveal that the Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and His people, inviting them to partake in the refreshment that God Himself enjoys. This relational aspect of the Sabbath emphasizes God’s desire to be intimately connected with His creation and to offer refreshment to His people.
The New Testament also extends the invitation to enter into God’s rest, emphasizing that believers are able to accept this offer of rest through Christ’s sacrifice, regardless of who they are or where they live. This highlights the deeper significance of rest as an affirmation of the special relationship people have with God.
Overall, the biblical narrative presents a balanced perspective on work and rest, affirming the value of both and emphasizing the special relationship between God, humanity, and creation. This perspective challenges the modern societal view of rest as merely a means to enhance productivity, and instead presents it as a sacred and relational act that mirrors God’s own rest in creation.
