Rest is a divine atmosphere, that was first introduced in Genesis 2:2. This was after God finished all creation, and on the seventh day, he rested or ceased from all His work.
Though mankind were created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:27). It is important to note that at this stage, mankind was a spiritual being, with no physical body. The spirit of mankind which was created on the sixth day, was then ushered into the seventh day when God rested.
So, every spiritual component or spiritual design of all things God created was completed in the first six days, including mankind.
The bible goes on to record that God then formed the physical aspect of mankind from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). This happened after the 6th day, that is the 7th day, when God was rested.
Here is how the spiritual creation merged with the physical creation.
Genesis 2:7 NLT
Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.
When God formed the physical nature of mankind, He had already rested from all His spiritual work. It’s important to take note of the distinction between physical and spiritual. Spiritually creation is complete, but the corresponding physical component will always lag behind.
To exemplify this this notion: The word in Jeremiah 1:5 reads, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
This verse highlights that God knew the spiritual aspect of our being before our being took any physical expression.
This is also true for Jesus the Son of God. Though his physical expression occurred two-thousand years ago, his spiritual existence was before all creation.
Colossians 1:15 NLT
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
God currently is not creating anything spiritual, He rested from it all on the seventh day. So spiritually speaking we are still on the seventh day, which is a spiritual atmosphere of rest, where God has created all things from a spiritual perspective.
1. The Spiritual Atmosphere Of God’s Rest
Mankind were created to operate in this spiritual atmosphere of God’s rest. And in this atmosphere, mankind is able to make spiritual realities manifest physically. Mankind is the conduit to bringing the physical expression of God’s spiritual creations.
Everything that we see around us, existed spiritually before it took its physical expression. Mankind’s role is to bring the spiritual into the physical manifestation for the glory of God.
The Hebrews writer emphasized that we must make every effort to enter this spiritual reality of God’s rest.
Hebrews 4:10-11 NLT
For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, Just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest.
Understand that when Adam and Eve sinned, they were banished from this atmosphere. Mankind’s role to bring the physical expression of God’s spiritual creation was marred by physical pain, and much toil.
For Eve, the ability to bring children was afflicted by pain (Genesis 3:17). And for Adam the ability to bring produce from the ground was hampered by thorns and thistles that would emerged (3:18).
On the contrary, before Adam sinned, he was able to name all the animals which God created. Think of all the millions of species and animals that God created? Adam had to name them one by one. But because he was operating from an atmosphere of God’s rest, it was not a hard exercise.
So Jesus, came to restore us back into that atmosphere of God’s rest. Disobedience took Adam and Eve out of God’s rest, therefore obedience can bring us back into God’s rest.
Obedience is predicated on believing in Jesus Christ the Son of God, and only those who believe in him can enter God’s rest (Hebrews 4:3). On the contrary, disobedience prevents us from experiencing this divine rest.
Hebrews 4:11 NLT
So let us do our best to enter the rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and this led to what we call The Fall. This essentially refers to falling away from the rest of God.
The Hebrews writer further expresses that we ought to tremble with fear that some might fail to experience the rest of God (Hebrews 4:1).
It’s like going into a new country visit, and staying in the hotel room the entire holiday. Meanwhile there are lots of sights to see, new dishes to try out and exciting activities to partake in. The same is true regarding the rest of God, it exists, and it’s available for us to enter now, today (Hebrews 4:7).
Now God has called us to enter into His rest and keeps us from falling away from his glorious presence.
Jude 1:24 NLT
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.
2. How Is The Life Of A Believer Operating In The Rest Of God
We have established that to enter the rest of God one must believe in Jesus Christ, and must obey God. Then you enter into a spiritual atmosphere of God’s rest, where His creation, from a spiritual standpoint is complete. Now how does the life of a believer operating in this atmosphere look like? Here are four indicators:
2.1 You Do More With Less
One of the key indicators is the ability to achieve more with fewer resources. Jesus is a prime example of this principle. He accomplished numerous feats with minimal physical effort and within a short timeframe. The accounts of his actions in the Bible represent only a fraction of what he achieved, particularly considering that his ministry lasted just three years.
John 21:25 NLT
Jesus also did many other things. If they were written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
2.2 You Overcome All Battles In life
There was no demon, no storm, no disease, too great for Jesus to solve. Even death could not subdue him. He emerged victorious in all life’s challenges, proving that he is indeed the King of glory.
Psalm 24:8 NLT
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
David, was a man after God’s own heart. He sought the LORD, and his life was marked by exceptional results. He never lost any war or battle against foreign nations. This is true for believer’s life, we have won the battle against the evil one.
1 John 2:14 NLT
God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
2.3 You Work To Glorify God
Living in God’s rest means that whatever you do in this natural world, you do it for the glory of God. Every action, and even inaction, of Jesus during his earthly life was aimed at glorifying the Father.
John 17:4 NLT
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
He resisted temptation because it would not honor God; yet, he died on the cross, bringing glory to the Father. And the same is the goal of a believer, to glorify God by doing His will here on earth.
2.4 Knowing And Obeying God
God has revealed His nature and character through Jesus Christ. We live righteously by obeying God’s word.
1 John 2:3 NLT
And we can be sure that we know Him if we obey His commandments.
Knowing and obeying God distinguishes us as His children, for 1 John 29 reads, “Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.”
God only reveals Himself to those who seek Him. When we truly seek him, we find Him, and those who find Him will know Him truly enter His rest.
3. Understanding A Life Of Rest
In his book, Ecclesiastes, Solomon critiqued what he observed people doing throughout their lives. Citing that it was all meaningless, like chasing the wind.
Then he concluded the writingng as follows:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
Two duties are outlined by the wisest man:
- Fear God
- Obey His Commands
I have wrote extensively about the fear of the Lord in the article: Find Out The Special Meaning Of “Fear The LORD.” But this is merely the first step in entering the rest of God. We have mentioned that to enter His rest, we must believe then obey.
Believing in God begins by knowing God, and knowing Him means having an awareness of His divine nature, this includes, His character, His power, His glory, His love, His kindness, and many other attributes.
Knowledge of who God is, is true wisdom, and this wisdom produces the fear of the LORD. We believe in God because we know Him. We fear Him, because we have experienced, His greatness, love, power, mercy, glory, etc.
Proverbs 9:10 NLT
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
This divine wisdom and experience inspire us to willingly obey God. The immense nature of who He is confirms that there is no other deity like Him. This understanding compels us to follow His commands, and through our obedience, we gain access to God’s rest.
Thus, in his ultimate conclusion, Solomon is inferring that we must enter the rest of God. Outside of Him, everything is meaningless, futile, and dissatisfying.
4. Final Remarks On Entering The Rest
The children of Israel failed to enter the rest of God because of disobedience. However, they saw with their own eyes, the might of God’s hand when He led them out of Egypt with miraculous signs.
They would fear and tremble at the sight of God’s power, but because they did not know God but only His works, they disobeyed Him.
Psalm 103:7 NLT
He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
This is the stark difference that causes unbelief. God revealed his character to Moses. For believers today, God has revealed His nature and character to us through His Son Jesus. And This divine revelation of Christ leads us believe and obey God.
David is described as a man after God’s heart. In other word he was not merely concerned about the miraculous works, but rather the nature and character of God. He wanted to know the reasons and principles that underpin what God does. David’s 103rd Psalm reveal that he knew the nature and character of God, and this is what believers, through Christ, are called know.
Ephesians 1:16-17 NLT
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Consider how an aircraft ascends into the sky, transporting numerous passengers across countries. It truly exemplifies remarkable engineering and technological progress.
However, comprehending the intricate systems, mechanical principles, and aerodynamic laws that allow an aircraft to defy gravity is a different matter entirely. This deeper knowledge entails a more profound understanding of the subject.
In this context, the children of Israel witnessed the aircraft’s ascent, yet lacked the insight into its workings and mechanisms.
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