There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from His own work, just as God did from His. Hebrews 4:9-10
There was a mass exodus, thousands departed slavery and headed toward the promise of rest. God led Moses, Moses led the people. Along the way God gave this new nation boundaries for successful national and interpersonal living. Obedience was a problem and the great cost was the forfeit of rest.
The Promised Land was a gift, a place secured by God for His chosen nation. The audience of this letter, Hebrews, knew an entire generation of those led by Moses did not reach God’s rest. Like those sojourners of old, these Christians had seen the miraculous power of God, but seeing isn’t doing, and failure to trust and obey would cost them too.
When God put linear time into creation He planned rest. Set apart from six twenty-four hour days, day seven is for the nurture of an intimate relationship between you and your Creator/Redeemer. Not only does God say to take your rest, but we must grant rest to all others. In turn, no one has the right to rob your rest on this Holy Day of Sabbath. Take your rest, it is God’s gift, and His command.
Happy Sabbath Eve,
Gretchen