Exodus‬ ‭33

What does rest mean to you?

If you asked me in various stages of my life, I would have said sitting down to watch a movie or show with my husband and a lap full of snacks. In that scenario rest = mind numbing distraction.

Yesterday I talked through what rest looks like for me now, with my therapist. My honest answer was I have no idea.

Dan and I are abstaining from TV and movies this month to see how else I rest.

I find myself doing “restful things” more often, thanks to covid19—things like walking, listening to audio books, reading my bible, doodling bible verses, praying, journaling, colouring.

But as we unpacked together, those are all active “doing”. Am I ever not doing?

Maybe some of my fellow “busy bodies” can relate.

The dictionary defines rest as a verb and noun:

verb
1. cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.
2. be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position.

noun
1. an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity.

The Bible touches on rest in many places, we read from Bible Study Tools;

Most uses of the noun and verb in the Bible are nontheological. However, the verb and noun take on theological and/or spiritual meaning in relation to God, to the people of both the old and new covenants, and to individual believers under both covenants. The most significant theological use in the Bible is found in Hebrews 3:7-4:11.

Yahweh, the Creator of the universe, rested from the act of creating on the seventh day. "God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creation he had done" (Gen 2:2). God contemplated his own work, knowing that it was good.

The people of Yahweh were also given the blessing of rest—a whole day out of each week in which to rejoice in and contemplate God's works and words. The seventh day was the day of complete rest, the Sabbath, and sacred to the Lord (Exod 16 ; 23 ; 25). 

It was a day on which everyone, whatever his or her status, had to rest from daily labors; it was a festival for al to keep in honor of the Lord God, who himself rested (Exod 20:10 ; 23:12 ; 31:15).

The tribes of Israel also enjoyed God's gift of rest when they settled in the promised land, which flowed with milk and honey (see Joshua 1:13-15 ; 23:1). Canaan is actually called "the resting place the Lord your God is giving you" (Deut 12:9). They also knew such rest when they were delivered from their enemies (Joshua 14:15 ; 21:44 ; Judges 3:11 ; Judges 3:30). This rest of peaceful living was granted by God as the people looked to him alone and sought to keep his covenant.

With respect to the covenant relation of Yahweh to his people, we read that his fury rested on them in judgment (Ezek 5:13 ; 16:42 ; 21:7) and that his hand and Spirit rested on them in blessing (Isa 11:2 ; 25:10 ; Jer 6:16).

What does rest mean to you? --- And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus‬ ‭33:14 ‭| ESV