God Demanded Rest [Numbers 29]

1'Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets.

In addition to all of the sacrifices in Numbers 28 and 29, I noticed a key phrase that is repeated throughout both chapters. At least twice in chapter 28 and three times in chapter 29, God commanded the people to do "no (laborious) work." As I look at the lives around me these days, I see a lot of laborious work going on. Really really busy is the new normal. God knew all about this tendency for people to stay too busy and enforced days of rest one day a week on the Sabbath and extra days during the calendar year. I saw one of those days was to be spent in solemn assembly while another was for blowing trumpets (see verse above) and another for several days of feasting. Apparently, resting doesn't come naturally to a lot of people, but God designed us not only to do fulfilling work, but to have times of rest and reflection on Him. He designed us to congregate regularly in various ways from the solemn assembly to several days of feasting to hearing trumpets.

Without enforced community wide events like those listed in Numbers, I find that it is easy to get caught up in the things to do and miss the quiet time with God and fellowship with others. There are some New Testament verses that enable me to find balance in my life between working and resting.

Matthew 11:28

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 12:8
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
John 15:4-5
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

I think the bottom line for us present day believers is that we need rest, time to focus on God and various forms of fellowship with other believers just as the Israelites did. However, instead of being dictated and enforced by outside laws or commands, they are God directed as we listen to His Spirit and grow in hearing and doing what He directs us to do. In my understanding of the above Scriptures, the more I spend time with Jesus (through the Word, prayer and fellowship) listening and obeying His guidance in His grace or power, the more I am at rest. Intimacy with God means rest for believers. As we are engaged in all sorts of activities directed and empowered by God, we can still be in His rest!


 

Thank you, God, that you know our need for rest. Even in the imperfect sacrificial system, You provided for the people to rest. And we praise You that because of Christ, we can remain in that Sabbath rest as we live lives dependent upon You. Cause us to grow in abiding in Christ, the Lord of our Sabbath rest. We can't, but You can!

Beth Warlick, 8/7/2010