God’s Word has a LOT to say about REST–as well as the work which creates opportunities for a rest well-earned.
MORE
- Important Work: One of Life’s Great Joys
- Work
- A Few Thoughts on Work
- God Equips ALL Who Go Forth To Do His Work
Relaxation accompanies a well-earned rest–as does that OTHER important word often employed when God’s Word refers to taking a break from one’s work: REFRESH.
When referring to REST, God’s Word VERY FREQUENTLY uses the word REFRESH in the definition.
As in Matthew 11:28-29
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
–Matthew 11:28-30
In the original Greek, the word used for ‘rest’ in Matthew 11:28-29 is anapauó.
373. anapauó
anapauó: to give rest, give intermission from labor, by impl. refresh
Original Word: ἀναπαύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anapauó
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ap-ow’-o)
Definition: to give rest, give intermission from labor, by implication refresh
Usage: I make to rest, give rest to; mid. and pass: I rest, take my ease.
Rest, refreshing and relaxation appear to be a few of the REWARDS of well-considered work.
HOWEVER, when the subject is ‘REST and RELAXATION,’ one can have too much of a good thing.
The Bible ALSO has some choice words to say about SLOTH (which is sinful in the eyes of God). Many of those words are from the Book of Proverbs.
“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
–Proverbs 13:4
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”
–Proverbs 10:4
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
–2THESSALONIANS 3:10
“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise”
–Proverbs 6:6
“By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.”
–Proverbs 10:18
This examination of REST was brought about by a recent question which was asked.
“Why did God rest after creating the earth and all? He wasn’t tired; why did he rest?”
No, God certainly did not NEED to rest.
However, since God’s Word is mostly silent on the matter, we are left with speculation as to God’s reasoning behind his rest.
Maybe God took a break to CONSIDER all that He had created?
Perhaps God was taking a rest as an example to man?
Maybe God rested to give Him time to be with His new creation?
ALL is speculation.
What is NOT speculation:
When one takes a break from one’s work, a FEW may consider that the break (or REST) is part of the REWARD FROM GOD for work well-done. REST is one of the fruits of work well-done.
“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. “
–Ecclesiastes 2:24
“Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.”
–Ecclesiastes 5:18
“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”
–Ecclesiastes 3:13
Rest–and all that comes from that rest–are GOOD, IF the rest is a reward for labor well-done.
Too much rest–or rest and relaxation–WITHOUT work are NOT good.
In fact, rest without work is like eating without hunger: not only is it bad for the person involved, it is SIN.
HAS the reader ever experienced rest and relaxation WITHOUT first having done something worthy of the rest and relaxation?
It is not YET too late: there is still a little time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 3, 2022.]
MORE
- Important Work: One of Life’s Great Joys
- Work
- A Few Thoughts on Work
- God Equips ALL Who Go Forth To Do His Work
MORE
- Man Struggles Against God
- God is in Control
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
RELATED ARTICLES
- Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
- Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
- END TIMES PREPARATION: 15 Ways to Prepare for the End Times
- Deceitful Workers are Victims of Deception Themselves
- End Times Survival, End Times Preparation
- 35 Most Important ETPR Articles
- DISOBEDIENCE and REBELLION: The Wisdom of Man OR the Word of God?
- Apostate Church: Breaking Every Chain
- Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians
by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Photo by Dan Burton on Unsplash.com
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted in those blogs/websites.
[NOTE: The following articles are from a service. We neither endorse nor at times have much control over them–although we do, of course, enjoy articles originating from this website on this service. Some articles illustrate points made in ETPR articles; some are merely for the reader’s edification or education.
ALL such links appearing in End Times Prophecy Headlines, such as those below, should originate at ETPR.
RE: our link disclaimer: there are links, from time-to-time which appear on this site which we neither approve nor endorse. The frequency of these types of links will no doubt grow worse. All effort is made to remove such links when we become aware of them.
Related articles
End Times Prophecy Report 