Before I move into the lesson I want to say welcome back to December Rose. You have been missed. Also, I consult my Pastor quite often when questions arise in my studies. He so wonderful to spend time helping me research and to meet with me. He knows how much I love to deeply study God's Word so he sent me the link to a new commentary website. I had to share it with you. I already love it. Check it out. ewordtoday. But come back.
It is so funny to me how God works out everything in our lives. He is always working, always. I pray my eyes never stop seeing His work in my life. I have had unexpected interruptions in my afternoons this week. Interruptions that took up time, emotion, and energy.
My interruption came this afternoon and I had no time to read and to follow my "normal" schedule but God knew... He knew that when I finally got to be alone with Him to open His precious Word that I would read:
You see, this is what my co-workers and I talked about today at lunch. God knew that I would be exhausted. He knew that I would be emotionally spent after pouring out to my family, and so He cared enough about me to orchestrate our table conversation to exactly what He wanted us to talk about. Have I said lately how much I love that Man and His activity in my life?
What has happened to the Sabbath? Where did it go? When did the ideals of a day of rest get lost? We are a tired, overworked, disorganized, confused, sleep deprived people. I believe that we have worked our way into this perceptual state of being because we have forgotten to rest. We have lost the rhythm of life that included a day of rest called the Sabbath.
Our example was set for us in the beginning, way back in Genesis. I don't want to get caught up the possible legalism that comes with defining what day the Sabbath should be. After all, we do need our doctors, nurses, public service staff to work "Sundays." I want to offer, not to take away from God's intent, that we need to adopt a Sabbath state of mind. Contemplating on finding rest and peace in all that we do. (When possible-I know life happens-it has happened to me this week) If your day off happens to be Sunday, rest on Sunday. If you day off happens to be Friday, rest on Friday. I looked back in Genesis and I did not see a specific day specified as the Sabbath. It says after God's work was completed on the seventh day He rested. (Genesis 2:2)
It is so funny to me how God works out everything in our lives. He is always working, always. I pray my eyes never stop seeing His work in my life. I have had unexpected interruptions in my afternoons this week. Interruptions that took up time, emotion, and energy.
My interruption came this afternoon and I had no time to read and to follow my "normal" schedule but God knew... He knew that when I finally got to be alone with Him to open His precious Word that I would read:
"You must obey these instructions from the LORD. Each week for six days only. The seventh day is a day of total rest, a holy day that belongs to the LORD."
You see, this is what my co-workers and I talked about today at lunch. God knew that I would be exhausted. He knew that I would be emotionally spent after pouring out to my family, and so He cared enough about me to orchestrate our table conversation to exactly what He wanted us to talk about. Have I said lately how much I love that Man and His activity in my life?
What has happened to the Sabbath? Where did it go? When did the ideals of a day of rest get lost? We are a tired, overworked, disorganized, confused, sleep deprived people. I believe that we have worked our way into this perceptual state of being because we have forgotten to rest. We have lost the rhythm of life that included a day of rest called the Sabbath.
Our example was set for us in the beginning, way back in Genesis. I don't want to get caught up the possible legalism that comes with defining what day the Sabbath should be. After all, we do need our doctors, nurses, public service staff to work "Sundays." I want to offer, not to take away from God's intent, that we need to adopt a Sabbath state of mind. Contemplating on finding rest and peace in all that we do. (When possible-I know life happens-it has happened to me this week) If your day off happens to be Sunday, rest on Sunday. If you day off happens to be Friday, rest on Friday. I looked back in Genesis and I did not see a specific day specified as the Sabbath. It says after God's work was completed on the seventh day He rested. (Genesis 2:2)
Now I am not trying to stir up any theological or doctrinal debates here. I was raised Southern Baptist and my daddy would not even buy milk on Sunday. I am challenging us to slow down. Set our minds on the Lord and honor Him with a day of rest. I am learning, though slowing, that is alright to take a nap on my Sabbath and not feel guilty that the clothes are still in the basket for the fifth day in a row. Am I connecting with anyone?
Part of my job at Proverbs 31 Ministries is to keep the shopping cart updated. Today, not coincidentally I should say, I added a book on this very subject. Isn't God amazing? The title of the book is Rest. How about that for a "Go God?" I plan to purchase and read it very soon. Perhaps you are interested as well.
Who doesn't want to live in "Sabbath Simplicity?" I know I could use some simplifying.
19 Comments:
Wendy, this is the very thing I wrote about on Tuesday, "A Sabbath Rest", based on Exodus 31:12-17. (http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/2009/02/sabbath-rest.html) I won't share any more here, as all my thoughts are in that post.
Today I focused on Ex.36:3-7. That passage just blew my mind. Imagine being told to stop giving! The people had willing hearts, but also, they were providing for the LORD's purposes. Verse 5 reminds us, "'The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the LORD has commanded us to do!'"
I couldn't help but wonder if some of the financial strain in our churches is due to programs and plans that the Lord never purposed. We need to pray up before we pay up.
Great thoughts again today. The title of the book "Rest" already has my heart yearning to respond to the invitation. Will have to check out the P31 site and find the author.
Have a restful day!
Joy
PS. I'm speaking at a Ladies Valentine Tea this afternoon. Sure would appreciate any prayers. Thank you.
Yes, I agree, where has our Sabbath gone? As I've gotten older, and hopefully wiser, I have gotten better at re-incorporating Sunday as my day of rest, relaxation and God Thought. Today's world makes it tough though to be consistent.
In today's reading I circled these words, over and over: "let GENEROUS hearts give" "come all you who are gifted" "hearts were WILLING" "WILLINGLY brought them" "whose hearts were STIRRED and spirits were MOVED" "who were WILLING" "EAGER to help" "gave them FREELY" "were EAGER to get to work". Wow...do we serve our Lord with these attitudes? I pray not to get in a rut of routine with my precious Savior.
Morgen - MN
Thanks Wendy for the link to the commentary site. I went and looked up several of the commentaries on the part I struggled with yesterday, Ex. 32:25, and found good insight.
Thank you Joy for your postings on Sabbath Rest and Giving (Tuesday and today) I looked at those too and found much to contemplate. I remember restful Sundays growing up as well. Even when I had graduated from college and malls were now open on Sundays, and the rapid pace of the world was beginning to accelerate, I had a good friend who would not make dinner on Sunday night for her family. They popped popcorn and that was dinner. They only had one meal to prepare on Sunday, the mid-day meal. Recently I have consciously been returning to my Sabbath rest. I spend Sunday after church reading the Bible and my Bible studies (I have three going right now), taking walks around the neighborhood with my husband, and sewing (my hobby is quilting). I am trying not to run errands, do chores, or conform to the rapid pace of the world. I am trying to focus on being transformed by the renewing of my mind. I haven't adopted the practice of popcorn dinners yet, but we do tend to reheat leftovers... :)
Giving is another area that needs focus. I agree that Ex.36:3-7 caught my attention too. How amazing would it be to hear our church leaders say "you have given enough to complete the job the LORD has commanded us to do!"
Wendy
Good thoughts. My husband oftens says "You just don't know how to rest/relax do you? I'm reading, blogging, quilting (Karen is more experienced than I and her stuff is beautiful - Hi Karen) and doing stuff with and for friends. But we so need balance. Too much of a good thing is not always good. Rest in the body and the mind is necessary for rejuvination. (sp?)
So are you just going to read "Rest" or are you wanting to discuss it as well... Let me/us know.
Okay now - what caught my attention today where a couple of things.
First I saw how in Ex 35:19 it mentioned the sacred garments the the Aaron the Priest. Wasn't this the same Aaron that in Ex 32:4 melted down gold and made a gold calf? Isn't it great that God uses us even though we have weaknesses. (1 Corinth 1:27-31)
Second I noticed and underlined how many times it said "those whose hearts were willing" those who were willing, those who owned those items willingly brought them. A reminder and confirmation that God gave us free will because he wants us to want Him, to choose Him and to choose His ways.
I am so enjoying this and appreciate your hard work. Thank you for your selflessness and prayers for me and the others.
Lynn - OR
Thanks, Wendy, Joyful, Morgen, Karen and JnL4God...right there syncing with my heart and my head in response to today's reading. Wonderful comments to the lessons ~ a complete day of rest & refreshment; and generous eager giving from willing hearts moved to complete the work of the LORD...which they did...and then some!! Just WOW.
Ex.35:31 is my nuggest for the day: "The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability and expertise in all kinds of crafts."
Filled with the Spirit and equipped to do his work...amen to that!
Liz
Alaska
I also contemplated a Sabbath rest as I read our reading. Yes, I want that rest in my life, in my heart, in my home!!!
Joy, we're praying for you.
Also wanted to add that what stood out to me this week was the broader theme of the many specifications required to build the ark that would hold God's presence...I am so utterly grateful that I can just come as I am and let Him indwell me!!!
Wendy, praying your day is more restful today!!
We are all on one accord today! I also underlined the willingness and eagerness of the people as well.
Isaiah 1:19
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Lord help us to offer every gift to you through an eager and willing heart.
I am going to try to do better at a Sabbath day of rest. My husband is military and that world never stops, so it's going to be a challenge getting him to join me. Growing up in a church that normally had 3 services on Sunday, I never considered Sunday a day of rest. :-)
Joy, I'm sure your time in the Presence of God will be evident as you speak his heart today!
Blessings everyone,
Debbie - North Carolina
Oh, this is a hot button for me. First let me say Joy I will be praying for you as you speak at your luncheon.
Ok, yes where has the sabbath gone? In our house it seems that everyone else gets theirs but mom doesn't. It is still "mom what's for dinner" or "mom could you do this or that". It isn't that I mind it at all. But I would just love to be able to take a nap without guilt.
I thought that now that the boys were older it would get better, but it isn't.
I will have to check the new link out. Thanks.
Blessings,
Diane
Love all of your comments dear sisters, and YOU Wendy for encouraging all of us. My daily prayer has been that the spirit keeps filling you up to the brim so that your words overflow onto the pages for us to read. :)
Today I'm in total awe just knowing that Jesus Christ makes it possible for me to approach my Father in prayer. Jesus constantly intercedes for me when I pray, but he reassuringly watches over me, too! How good is that?!!! Loving Jesus with all of my heart today!
Praying for each of you, too...
Lori - Mesa, AZ
PS Would love to be at the Valentine Tea, Joy! I can just imagine your beautiful heart pouring out to all of the blessed sisters!
I actually was thinking about this topic when we read the 10 commandments that God gave Moses a couple of days ago in our reading. I thought to myself that we still live very strictly by the other 9 but it doesn't seem that remembering the Sabbath Day is as important. I like the concept that it doesn't necessarily have to be a Sunday. In thinking about it it would require alot of self discipline on my part to have one day a week of not "working" but then I think of what wonderful benefits could come like some "quality" time on a regular basis with my family.
Hi Wendy,
I have to admit that when I read the part in the daily Bible readings about those who do work on the Sabbath and do not keep the Sabbath will be put to death (my paraphrase from the Bible) I was disturbed. Especially considering how after I went to church this past Sunday, I had to go to work! I found those words very confusing and to be honest, frightening.
Kay
Kay
I am going to research your concern and comment later. I am cutting up potatoes for supper: roasted garlic, yum.
Remember, we live under the New Covenant. What we are reading now is ceremonial law which we are not governed by nor do we have to follow. The 10 commandments are our moral law that we as New Covenant believers should still follow.
I will get back with more later.
Kay
I did some quick research. After reading M.H. I understand what Moses was referring to in verse 2 and 2 was the work days of building the temple. Those who worked on the tabernacle on the Sabbath would die. Copy and past the following link (sorry you can't make a hyperlink in a comment box) and scroll down to roman numeral lll.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=713&commInfo=5&topic=Exodus
I also went back to Exodus 20:8 when God gave the commandments to Moses. Since God did not mention that penalty here, I am inclined to believe what Henry suggests. I also read Henry's commentary on Exodus 20 to further support my opinion.
Here is the link to that
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=713&commInfo=5&topic=Exodus
(scroll down to number 4)
I hope this helps. I am glad you mentioned this. It caused me to dig deeper. (My favorite thing to do!)
Like Joy, I was thinking on how the people were told to stop giving... imagine that! We had a special offering to assist military troops - a year later, we were able to assist them again because of the surplus from the previous year! When our pastor mentioned this, he also said, "I'm not asking you to give again. If you did last year, thank you for your generousity. If you didn't it's too late, but God will provide other opportunities... just be ready when He does."
The Israelites who responded by giving their time, talents, or wealth were not only willing, they were prepared to do so. Keeping my "house in order" is a challenge, yet it is the basis of being able to respond when God calls. I do know when I am not prepared, I'm more likely to make excuses or say "no"... and who knows what blessings I miss.
Morgen, I'm going to go back and circle all those words... first and foremost my heart must be prepared!! :)
My husband and I just read a devotional on rest today, and needing truly quiet time to restore peace and calm. He is a pastor so Sunday is not typically a day of rest for us, but I have found I am so much more energized when I do have a full day of rest (usually a Saturday). I can't wait to share what you wrote with my husband in my constant quest to get him to slow down. God bless!
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for your response. I read the links you posted and was wondering, are they speaking about manual labor alone, or all labor? I do find it confusing.
Kay
Kay
I believe Moses is talking about any construction or other type of work for the Tabernacle.
Like I said, in Exodus 20, there is no penalty or a specific day of the week mentioned. I wonder if the Sabbath being "Sunday" is a man-made ritual.
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