We read in Genesis 2.1-3...
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 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. 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.
God completes his great work of Creation and then He rests. He didn’t rest because He was tired; He rested because He was finished creating and so He could now simply enjoy what He had made. The rest that God takes on the 7th day becomes the basis for Israel resting (Israel’s Sabbath) and it’s a rhythm (6 days of work, 1 day of rest) that all God's people do well to find and settle into.
What does Sabbath rest do? (note: As I'm pretty sure no one reads this, I'm writing this as encouragement for myself; if anyone else stumbles across it, I hope it helps you too.) Let me ask the question (for myself) again: What does Sabbath rest do? At least 3 things:
1) It reminds us that that God completes His work. As he consummated His work of creation, He will bring to perfection his work in history. He will not fail. We can rest in that.
2) Knowing that God completes His work, we can cease from our “doing” - 1 day in 7 - and trust that the wheels won’t fall off our lives. God is in control. The world is safe in His hands and will not disintegrate if we stop our work.
3) Finally, it reminds us of the great rest available in Jesus; a rest we can enter into now.
It's interesting that on the seventh day, we don't read and there was evening and there was morning, the seventh day. Why is that familiar phrase missing? I believe it’s because this day never ends. God’s rest is ongoing. His work of Creation is complete. And because of that, the Day of Rest goes on forever!
It is a gift from the Son of God for all who come to him. I need to daily hear him say to me...
Come to me, you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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.
