The Theology of Rest, Part 2

The Theology of Rest, Part 2

 Resting as the Highest Worshiping of God

 by Themba Mafico

Read: Genesis 2:1-3 and Exodus 31:15-17)

      In the last meditation, we demonstrated that rest was and still is the most significant worship humans can offer God. This is evidenced by the fact even God rested to become refreshed (Exodus 31:17). Therefore, to live a godly life, humans must rest. Moreover, working without resting was sinful behavior punishable by death

in biblical times. In modern times, the execution continues because, by lack of rest, many people have succumbed to preventable fatal illnesses. That is why doctors often prescribe rest to cure many health challenges: colds, flu,

headaches, fatigue, stress, and burnout to strengthen the immune system. Thus, rest is the panacea for many adverse health conditions and the prevention of many opportunistic diseases that attack a tired body.

The Biblical Emphasis on Rest

     Unlike the English language, where the emphasis is done by using intensive adverbs and adjectives, the biblical writers normally emphasized teachings by repeating keywords. In Genesis 2:1-3, the keywords are repeated to let the reader realize the importance of rest, which God had to undertake after the creation of the universe. The highlighted words are repeated for emphasis in Genesis 2:2-3:

"Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it (seventh day), because on it (seventh day) God rested from all the work that he had done in creation."

     In just two verses, we realize the following repetitions: finished (2 times), rested (2 times), work (3 times), he had done (3 times), seventh day (5 times).

     Based on this repetition of key words pertaining to rest, it is clear that the writer is making it self-evident to the reader to emulate God and rest on the seventh day. Unfortunately, Christians have made the seventh day, Sunday, a very busy day with church programs that begin at 9:00 a.m. and end late in the afternoon leaving people tired. For those who are forced to work several under paid jobs to pay bills, this type of insensitive worship becomes hard work that God forbids.

Summary

     For those who can read this text in Hebrew, the emphasis on God’s resting on the seventh day becomes even

more intense. It leads the reader to realize that if God could rest in order to be refreshed (Exod. 32:17), human beings ought to rest as well. Thus, the Jews designated the seventh day as the sabbath day, a day of complete rest on which no work was to be done. How can the modern church, especially the Black Church, teach complete rest to its congregants? How can the church shorten church programs on Sunday (the seventh day) to allow people to rest and be refreshed on Monday as they resume working for a living?

Prayer

     Oh Lord, our God, help us to understand the scriptures at a deeper level and forsake peripheral or fundamental reading of the Bible. Bequeath us a critical mind that delves deeper in search of what every text we read means and not only what it says. Amen