Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Truly understanding and committing oneself to Resting in the LORD allows us to live fully for Him
I. Rest of achievement, not inactivity (Genesis 1:31, 2:1-3)
II. Different levels of Rest (Hebrews 4:9-10)
III. Make yourself available for Rest (Psalm 37:7)
I. Rest of achievement, not inactivity
Genesis 1:31 - And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1-3 - Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
I. Rest of achievement, not inactivity
“It is the rest of achievement, not inactivity, for he nurtures what He creates; we may compare the symbolism of Jesus
‘seated’ after His finished redemption (Heb.10:12), to dispense its benefits.”
- Kidner
a Sabbath day - the people were called to rest from their work one day a week so that they may be refreshed
a Sabbath year - land “rest” one year out of seven —
(Exod.23:10-11).
‘Year of Jubilee’ - the Seventh Sabbath year — in which all slaves were freed, all debts forgiven, and all property lost through normal economic means was to be returned to the original family allotments – (Leviticus 25:8-17)
To join God in his Sabbath was more than to knock off work once a week. It is about devoting yourself to enjoying, affirming, and nurturing life
- especially weak and fragile life.
Hebrews 4:9-10 - So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
III. Make yourself available for Rest
Psalm 37:7 –
Be still before the L ORD and wait patiently for him
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”