Rest is an interesting word!
It means: not to work; to depend and find comfort in what someone else is doing; to be wedge-jointed.
So, what does this mean for us?
I submit that we have freedom to enter into the comfort zone of our Abba!
The Price was paid in full for us to cease from trying, from works towards righteousness (the original sin - to eat to be, to do to become). Righteousness is a free Gift. It is called Grace. His Name is Yah'shua, Jesus! He is our Glorious Rest!
In the very last chapter of Isaiah (equaled by many scholars to book of Revelation), Isaiah prophesy beyond the cross towards this glorious state available to us today when he said: As one whom his mother comforteth [nâcham - made to be at rest; console; be at ease. Pictograph for נָחַם is: activity fenced of by the blood], so will I comfort [nâcham] you; and ye shall be comforted [nâcham] in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb [tender grass]: and the hand of the LORD [refers to Jesus] shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. Isa 66:13-14
From the start of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament the author dedicates a substantial part to this position of rest that we attain. The very heart of the message that is conveyed here is one of intimacy ... how God Almighty speaks to each and every one of us, constantly, without ceasing, every second of every day and how that today when we hear His love-voice we should not be hardening our hearts, but instead just feel at ease to enter into His Rest. All because of and all about Jesus. Wow!
In Hebrews chapter 4, Joshua 22:4 is quoted when it is stated: For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day - speaking of the day of Jesus.
There remains only one reason one would not enter into his Rest - unbelief!
Not receiving what is already your inheritance!
For unto us was the gospel [Good News that God saves] preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Heb 4:2-3
Note that the Good News of intimacy with Abba did not profit them not being mixed with faith.
Why?
They chose to mix it with works - the law!
Note also: the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Who was crucified before the foundation of the world?
And therefore, because of their unbelief (not believing that God, the Saviour was interested in a relationship with them) and subsequently not believing Joshua (YHVH Saves) and Caleb (the dog or the gentile), they dwelt in the desert for forty years and did not enter in. Only Joshua and Caleb with a new generation entered into God's provision.
Rest in Hebrew is נוּחַ or nûach meaning to settle down; to abide; to remain. The pictograph reads: Works secured being fenced. In other words, we have been secured (in Christ) by being fenced of (by His work).
Long before there was another young dreamer who laid out the dream of the king of bondage. His name was Joseph (YHVH added or joint).
Sometimes even the enemy can not help but admit what is ever so evident!
Sometimes even the enemy can not help but admit what is ever so evident!
Truely, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess God! (Rom 14:11)
... especially those opposed to God!
Genesis 41:45 records: And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Let's translate from the pictures!
And Pharaoh [great house] called Joseph's [YHVH has joint] name Zaphnathpaaneah [treasure of the Glorious Rest]; and he gave him to wife Asenath [she from the idol god Neither, the god of war and weaving who makes a path] the daughter of Potipherah [he who the idol god Ra gave] priest of On [strength or vigour]. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt [siege-enclosure; land of bondage; land of forced labour].
Remember that Joseph (much like us) was given the position to rule all of Egypt because God revealed to him the pharaoh's dream and the meaning thereof. He ruled over idol worshipers and idol (demon) priests who thought they had the way and the strength because they were in the land of bondage. But he was the one who set them free from famine.
Years later Abba set free His people and led them to a land of milk and honey, a place of rest, but they would not enter in because they saw themselves a grasshoppers and those around them as giants when in fact their Mighty Saviour was with them all along, day and night ...
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. Heb 2:3Yet, another Hebrew word translated merely as rest is the word shâbath שָׁבַת which is really a very diluted translation of the full concept of the word. Shâbath actually means to cease from doing with a view to celebrate the finished work! Exactly what God did after he had completed creation on the sixth day!
HalleluYAH!
Hold onto your seats for the pictograph! It depicts: consumed temple by covenant.
What is that?
Whose body was consumed to establish a new covenant with man?
Jesus!
The shâbath was a shadow of Jesus!
How do we shâbath?
We are constantly in a state of shâbath by observing and beholding the finished work of Christ on the cross and by His resurrection! By receiving Jesus you cannot be outside of shâbath!
Amen!
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