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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Rest
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REST.—The conception of rest as a gift of God runs through the Bible, the underlying idea being not idleness, but the freedom from anxiety which is the condition of effective work. It is promised to Israel in Canaan (Exo_33:14, Deu_3:20), and Zion is the resting-place of J″ [Note: Jahweh.] (Psa_132:8; Psa_132:14), the Temple being built by ‘a man of rest’ (1Ch_22:9; a contrast is implied with the desert wanderings in Num_10:33-36). At the same time no earthly temple can be the real resting-place of J″ [Note: Jahweh.] (Isa_66:1, Act_7:49). The rest of the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year are connected with the rest of God after creation (Gen_2:2, Exo_20:11, Lev_25:4; see art. Sabbath). The individual desires rest, as did the nation (Psa_55:8); it is not to be found in ignoble ease (Gen_49:15 Issachar), but in the ways of God (Psa_37:7, Jer_6:10); it is the gift of Christ (Mat_11:28). Sinners fail to find it (Isa_28:12; Isa_57:20), as Israel failed (Psa_95:11). Heb_4:1-16 develops the meaning of this failure, and points to the ‘sabbath rest’ still to come. This heavenly rest includes not only freedom from labour, as in OT (Job_3:13; Job_3:17 [in Psa_16:9, see RV [Note: Revised Version.] ]), but also the opportunity of continued work (Rev_14:13).
C. W. Emmet.