A Day to Rest

Genesis 2:1-2 – Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

After creating the heavens and the earth, God ended his work and rested on the seventh day. He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it for He rested all all His work.

Typically, when we speak of resting on the seventh day, many automatically go to the Sabbath in the Law of Moses and take a side for or against (as we are no longer under the Law of Moses). However, if we read Genesis, God sanctified the seventh day of rest long before the giving of His commandments to the people of Israel. The blessing of the seventh day was incorporated in the beginning.

The seventh day represents a blessed and sanctified day. The Hebrew word for sanctified is translated as to consecrate, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be separate. It was a special day set apart to rest. It was a special day created for God and man.

I would like to encourage you to begin a day of rest. To use the seventh day as a hollowed and separate day unto the Lord. A day away from your work.

1. Workaholics. Many people that work tirelessly throughout the week will find that their bodies would breakdown from exhaustion. Our bodies were not made to work without end. Our bodies need rest to restore and refresh itself.

Some people would feel it’s impossible to cease from all this work for a day. If you find yourself in this situation, you may need to ask yourself and the Lord if you should be engaging in so much work to begin with. You may have committed to doing too many things and you need to better prioritize your life OR just say NO to some things.

2. Military or demanding jobs (i.e firefighter, police officer). If you are unable to take a day of rest on your seventh day, you may be able to take the next available day. There are some positions that will not allow you to take this day. Paul said:

Romans 14:2-6 – For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

If you find yourself in this situation, go to the Lord on the proper time to spend your seventh day. For some, God may be adamant to take the seventh day regardless of what occurs in your day. Be sensitive to His leading. Your seventh day may occur on the next available day off.

There is no need to get specific with certain lists of do’s and dont’s. Stay away from those things considered ‘work’ throughout the week – this could include cooking, working (had to say this), yard work, washing your car, or being on the computer to do ‘small work/ministry items.’ Pray to the Lord for additional guidance as He may add or take away some things you can/cannot accomplish on this special day. Remember: it is a blessed and sanctified day for YOU to rest.

Most importantly, take the day to lay down and sleep. Many of us sleep far too few hours each day and having some time to wake up later and even nap during the day will do wonders for your body and soul. Spending a day to rest and enjoy your family and friends would recharge your physical batteries, and prayer and study will do the same for the spiritual ‘side.’

Now, as with the Sabbath in the Law of Moses, Jesus said it was OK to do good (see Matthew 12:1-13). So if you see someone in need, you can help them for the day of rest was made for man (Mark 2:27). If you notice Mark 2:27, Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not only the Jews.

The seventh day based on biblical/Jewish standards was from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

^{Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/BrandonDoss}