Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
REST FOR THE BODY ... REST FOR THE SOUL
These words, taken from Exodus 20, are a conclusion of sorts. They reveal why the Israelites were to rest from their labors on the seventh day, the Sabbath. The day was set aside and dedicated as holy for the Israelites in recognition of the historical fact that when the Creator stopped creating on the seventh day, He was at rest.
Thus God commanded the people of Israel not to work on the Sabbath. Surely there were health benefits to resting and recuperating, but the LORD was after more than rest for the body. The people of Israel were not to become fat and lazy, to be slothful on the Sabbath. They were to set aside their earthly labors in favor of gathering to listen to God's word and worshiping Him. There are spiritual health benefits to be found when one carefully listens to God's word and offers praise to the Triune God in the form of thanksgiving and prayer.
God's word reveals the ultimate rest for the soul, the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to take from us our burden of sin and guilt. He carried them to the cross, and into the grave. He is the one who invites us to come to him each day with our sins to find rest (Matthew 11:28-29):
"Come to Me, all 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."
