My hammock ranks among my top five prized possessions, symbolizing rest and peace for me. You see, I have an inherent passion for camping, for seeking out those secluded corners of nature where the perfect campsite awaits. Among the checklist of prerequisites for such a location, there are a few essentials: proximity to water, solitude, ample tree cover, and above all, the ideal spot for my hammock.
How about you? What embodies rest in your life? What brings forth that sigh of relief and relaxation? The Bible has an important perspective on rest. This post will explore the pivotal Sabbath passages in the Old Testament. I understand that the term “Sabbath” might carry diverse connotations for us. It could evoke a range of thoughts and emotions. However, I invite you to set aside any preconceived notions and think about it with me in fresh ways. I believe we’ll uncover two facets of the Sabbath coin: one side celebrating God as Creator and our role as His creatures, while the other side celebrates God as Redeemer and our identity as the redeemed.
Celebrating God as Creator and Embracing Our Identity as His Creatures
Let’s take a look at the first primary Sabbath text found in Exodus 20:8-11:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Let’s set the context here. Remember that the Israelites were in grueling bondage for over four centuries in Egypt, constructing Pharaoh’s cities under the weight of unceasing labor. Their existence was devoid of rest, a stark contrast to the divine design. God, the Creator, fashioned the heavens and the earth, culminating in His work on the seventh day, when He rested.
It’s intriguing to note that this God, never wearied or fatigued, chose rest. His rest wasn’t a flurry of tidying up or embarking on new projects; it was a pause, a deep breath. Consider this: the same God who lacks fatigue rested on the seventh day. Rest, for Him, was a choice rather than a necessity. Notably, mankind’s very first act was to enter God’s rest, sharing in it.
Picture this—a hammock for Adam while God kicks back in His own. This God, who takes rest, extends an invitation to us, His creatures, to partake in His rest and graciously commands us to do so. Imagine your boss insisting you take a vacation. Astonishing, right?
The Babylonian creation myths contrast sharply, portraying gods freed from their toil by humans, created solely to serve divine needs. However, our God welcomes us into His rest, devoid of any need for our labor. He sets Himself apart through the Sabbath, carving a unique identity. What other deity rests, yet invites us to join Him?
“As Walter Brueggemann states, “At the core of this divine commitment to relationships instead of commodities lies the willingness of God to rest. God’s Sabbath rest acknowledges that He and His people aren’t commodities for endless production… The fact that our God observes the Sabbath ensures that life centers on restfulness, not restlessness.”
Have you ever felt valued solely for your output or utility? Perhaps you’ve sensed being used in a relationship, whether at work, within your family, or even in the church. Our Creator isn’t one who employs us and discards us when our purpose wanes. The Sabbath rejects such notions, establishing the idea that our productivity doesn’t define us. It dismantles a transactional relationship with God. Remember, you have intrinsic value as an image-bearer of God. Sabbath practice stems from the understanding that God created all and then rested. You are a creature.
- You were fashioned, not by your own doing. Your existence wasn’t of your making; it was graciously bestowed upon you, an invitation to engage with life. Embracing Sabbath allows you to acknowledge this truth and reenter it in communion with your Creator. Amid the hustle, rest is the only thing inherent to your existence.
- We require rest. Our creation comes with a multitude of boundaries, whether in knowledge, understanding, or capabilities. Physically, we’re bounded—we all need sustenance, water, air, and yes, sleep. Rest is a fundamental human necessity, interwoven with our basic needs.
Randy Gardner holds the world record for the incredible feat of intentionally remaining awake for over 11 days. His cognitive and behavioral state significantly deteriorated, revealing the indispensability of rest. Sleep-deprivation statistics and overworked societies substantiate the importance of rest in maintaining our well-being. In a culture where value is often equated with productivity, Sabbath defies the system, asserting our worth beyond our output. It’s not just a day or a set of rules; it’s a stance against a society that depletes and gauges worth by achievements.
Created in God’s image, we’re invited to follow His example. Just as He rests, we’re invited into His rest. Sabbath practice isn’t about guilt; it’s about aligning with the God who doesn’t exploit but loves, and extending that love to our neighbors. Embracing rest rebels against the pervasive culture of ceaseless work, asserting that our identity isn’t defined solely by our achievements.
Celebrating God as Redeemer and Embracing Our Identity as the Redeemed Now, let’s read the second main Sabbath passage in Deuteronomy 5:12-15:
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.”
Note the distinction from the Exodus passage—here, Sabbath rests on the foundation of redemption. God’s rescue mission from threats to our eternal well-being—sin, Satan, death, and hell—is what defines redemption. The Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt hinged on a slaughtered lamb, the mark of their deliverance. God’s judgment “passed over” homes adorned with the blood of the lamb, sparing them. This lamb stood as a substitute, absorbing divine judgment on their behalf.
Similarly, Jesus is our Passover Lamb, confronting sin and its consequences. Much like creation, salvation was a passive endeavor on our part. We played no role in our salvation; God intervened, rescuing us from sin’s grip. Sabbath embodies both our physical and spiritual needs, encapsulating creation and redemption. Sabbath beckons us to rest in our salvation.
There’s no need to toil for God’s favor. As we enter Sabbath, we embrace passivity, acknowledging that we’re beneficiaries of God’s grace. This rhythm bridges the commandments concerning our relationship with God and our interactions with neighbors, fostering love and empathy.
In Sabbath, we’re called to rest in our creatureliness and redemption. It’s an invitation to trust in God’s relentless work of creation and salvation. We rest, not merely for ourselves, but to better serve and love our neighbors, moving beyond exploitation. So, rest isn’t just for us; it’s for our neighbors too. When we approach others from a place of rest, it’s marked by thoughtfulness and love. Loving our neighbors involves inviting them into God’s rest.
Sabbath is an invitation to grasp God as Creator and Redeemer. It’s a reminder that we’re creatures and recipients of His saving grace. Sabbath isn’t constrained by a particular day or rigid rules; it’s an affirmation of our true identity. It empowers us to love our neighbors and embodies God’s desire for us to experience His rest. In the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”