Having instructed Moses to build him a tent - the "tabernacle", so he can be present with his people, God now re-iterates the importance of weekly rest.
Back in the ten instructions, God commands one day each week where everyone must stop work and rest, including servants and animals. Now God reminds them of this command. "Above all," God says they must rest. And the penalty for not resting is death.
Some of us are brought up to believe that a strong work ethic means working without sleep or through illness. But God is adamant not only about rest, but the rest-work rhythm.
In the work-rest rhythm, work expresses our creativity and productivity, and rest expresses our trust and obedience in God.
God didn't create work for us so we can take care of our own livelihood. God promises to supply our livelihood. And the weekly Sabbath is an opportunity to remember ourselves that God supplies our living, not our own work ethic.
Second, the weekly Sabbath reminds us that above all, God's instructions are to be honoured. We either live believe God has our best interest, or we think we know better and we do what we think is good for us.
Write
Think about your faith story: how has obedience and faith progressed in your relationship with God?
Presently, what is your weekly work-rest rhythm? How is your current state of reliance on God and your obedience to his instructions?
Who do you know needs to recover their faith and obedience?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about your current state of faith and obedience. Thank God for the world he cares for you so you can rest, and the way he cultivates faith and obedience in your relationship with him.
Pray about yoru work-rest rhythm. Ask God for the wisdom and support to grow your faith and obedience through a weekly sabbath.
Pray for your friend who needs to recover their faith and obedience. Pray for the wisdom and opportunity to come along side them and rest with them.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he gives you license to rest, and the way he uses rest to cultivate faith and obedience in you and through you..