I always chuckle a little when people talk about God “needing to rest” after creating the world.
Let me just say that if God was tired after creating the world, we’re all in a bit of trouble.
Actually, a whole lot of trouble!
Because I’d venture a guess that it’s a lot more work keeping this broken world under control than creating it in the first place.
Actually, God didn’t need to rest. He doesn’t need anything.
Just as He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omniscient….He is also completely self-sufficient. He is in need of nothing. Not even rest.
God chose to rest on the seventh day for us, not for Himself.
He needed to demonstrate to mankind the need for rest, and thus He rested.
We need a sabbath.
We need regular times when we give our body, soul, and spirit an opportunity to rest from this world, its pressures, and its influence.
Sabbath isn’t about taking a day off and getting away.
Sabbath is about rest that goes much deeper than physical rest. It’s about rest for our souls.
“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.” Matthew 11:28-29
It’s about giving God the time and space to go deep in our hearts and complete that work He has begun.
But as we begin to examine the sabbath, we must first realize that the Sabbath is not about a list of what we do and do not do.
Jesus said that He will give us rest.
He is gentle
He gives us rest for our souls.
The Sabbath isn’t a burden to bear; it is a release from our burdens.
I, too, like your thoughts about the why of God resting. The Sabbath can be celebrated in a very legalistic way....following OT rules, but in the New Testament age, we should be looking at the whys, so we follow with understanding. In my growing up years, there were few to no stores open on Sundays. The pharmacies in town took turns being open, because Rx were essential. Today, we exclaim if a business is not open on Sundays. (Yes, I know there are other days of the week celebrated as Sabbath). I am grateful to have a day of refreshment on the Sabbath....a day to physically rest and to refresh my faith. Sometimes, a Sabbath afternoon of baking with no time constraints is restful, and meditative.....just say'n.
It's the first time I actually read about Sabbath in this way. Normally, it's all the discussions about when Sabbath is or if we have to keep the Sabbath and how we have to keep the Sabbath and so on. It's great to read something about Sabbath that totally makes sense. Thank you for sharing that.