What does ‘Rest’ mean in a Biblical Sense?
We have physical and spiritual rest. So, what is rest? Here are several definitions for rest.
Rest is to cease work or movement to relax, sleep, or recover strength (physical rest). Rest is a cessation of labour, like the Sabbath rest, but also a deeper state of peace, trust, and reliance on God (both physical and spiritual rest).
Scripturally, “rest” encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It signifies a cessation of labour, like the Sabbath rest, but also a deeper state of peace, trust, and reliance on God.
Scripturally, rest is not just about physical inactivity but also about finding spiritual tranquillity and freedom from worry in God’s presence. Rest can be divided into physical and spiritual types.
Rest in a Physical Sense
Physical rest includes:
Relaxation or inactivity, as commonly understood, refers to periods of inactivity used to recover from physical or mental exertion.
Sleep, a state of rest for the body and mind, is characterized by reduced consciousness and minimal metabolic activity.
Cessation of motion, another form of rest, involves a pause or stop in physical movement.
Sabbath, as described in the Bible, is a day of rest commanded for the Israelites, symbolizing a cessation from work and a time for worship and reflection.
Rest, as a cessation of labour, highlights the Bible’s recognition of the need for physical rest and rejuvenation after work, emphasizing a balance between work and rest.
Rest in a Spiritual Sense
Spiritual rest includes:
Peace and Tranquillity: Scriptural rest also refers to a state of inner peace, calm, freedom from anxiety, worry, and stress, and to trust in God.
Rest in God’s Presence: Finding rest in God’s presence involves relying on Him, finding solace in His promises, and experiencing His peace.
Entering God’s Rest: This refers to a deeper spiritual rest that comes from trusting in God’s finished work, especially in Jesus Christ, and from ceasing to strive to earn God’s favour through personal efforts.
Freedom from Guilt and Worry: Rest in the Bible can also mean freedom from guilt and worry about sin, as forgiveness is found in Christ.
Restful Trust: It is a life of surrendering to God’s will, finding strength in vulnerability, and embracing the peace that comes through faith.
Here Are Scriptural References Regarding Rest
- Rest is heavenly: — 2 Thessalonians 1:7
- Rest (cessation) from God’s six days of creation. — Genesis 2:2–3; Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 4:4, 10
- Rest from labour (i.e., on certain days in Israel’s calendar)
- Rest on the Sabbath day: — Exodus 16:23; Exodus 20:10–11; Exodus 31:15; Deuteronomy 5:12–14; Luke 23:56
- Rest on the sabbatic year for the land: — Exodus 23:10–11; Leviticus 25:1–4
- Rest on the first and last days of the feast of unleavened bread: — Leviticus 23:5–8
- Rest on the day of Pentecost: — Leviticus 23:21; Numbers 28:26
- Rest on the day of the feast of trumpets: — Leviticus 23:24–25
- Rest on the day of atonement: — Leviticus 23:27–28
- Rest on the first and last days of the feast of tabernacles: — Leviticus 23:39
- Rest on the year of jubilee (fiftieth year): — Leviticus 25:11–12
- Rest on certain days for the feast of Purim: — Esther 9:17–19:
- Rest in Israel’s promised land: — Exodus 33:14; Joshua 1:13; 1 Kings 8:56; Hebrews 3:18–19
- Rest from Israel’s national enemies: — Deuteronomy 12:10; Deuteronomy 25:19; Joshua 23:1; 2 Samuel 7:11; 1 Chronicles 22:9
- Rest from earthly labours through death: — Revelation 14:13 Revelation 6:11.
- Reat is spiritual: — Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:1–11
- Spiritual rest is offered by Jesus: — Matthew 11:28–30
- Spiritual rest is entered by faith: — Hebrews 4:1–11
- You need rest as refreshment from labour: — Exodus 20:8–11; Exodus 31:12–17
- You need rest as a refuge from trouble: — Psalms 55:6–8
- You need rest as relief from anxiety of mind and spirit: — Ecclesiastes 2:22–23; 2 Corinthians 2:13
- You need rest as recuperation from fatigue: — Matthew 8:24; Matthew 26:45
- You need rest as periodic relaxation from ministry to people: — Mark 6:31
- You need rest as a release from the severe turmoil of life: — Job 3:20–26; Isaiah 14:3
- Rest is provided through the presence of the Lord: Exodus 33:14
- Rest is provided through the Lord as Shepherd of His people: — Psalms 23:1–3
- Rest is provided through a proper relationship to the Lord: — Psalms 37:3–7
- Rest is provided through resting in the Lord: — Psalms 37:7
- Rest is provided through the Lord’s salvation: — Psalms 116:5–8
- Rest is provided through the Spirit of the Lord: — Isaiah 63:14
- Rest is provided through walking in the Lord’s ways: — Jeremiah 6:16
- Rest is provided through coming to Christ: — Matthew 11:28–29
- Rest is provided through a company of believers: — Romans 15:32
- Rest is provided through ministry from other believers: — 2 Corinthians 7:5–7
- Rest is provided and received by Israel: — Isaiah 14:3; Isaiah 32:18; Ezekiel 34:15.
- Rest is provided and received by believers in Christ: — Matthew 11:28–30; Hebrews 4:3
- Rest is recommended by Jesus: — Mark 6:31–32; Mark 7:24. with Matthew 8:18, 24.
- Rest is spiritual: — Matthew 11:29; Hebrews 4:1–11
- Rest can be rejected: — Isaiah 28:12; Isaiah 30:15
- You can lack rest: — Deuteronomy 28:65; Job 3:26; Psalms 22:2; Psalms 95:11 cf Hebrews 3:11, 18; Proverbs 29:9; Isaiah 23:12; Jeremiah 45:3; Lamentation 1:3; Lamentations 5:5; Micah 2:10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; Revelation 14:11
- Need for rest is recognized in God’s Law: — Exodus 20:10–11
- Need for rest is recognized by Christ: — Mark 6:31
- Need of rest is longed after: — Psalms 55:6
- Need of rest is provided for: — Revelation 6:11
- Need of rest is enjoyed after death: — Job 3:13, 17; Revelation 14:13
- Source of rest is in Christ: — Matthew 11:28, 29
- Source of rest is in trust: — Psalms 37:7
- Source of rest is in returning to God: — Isaiah 30:15
- Rest is disturbed by Sin: — Isaiah 57:20
- Rest is disturbed by rebellion: — Isaiah 28:12
- Rest is disturbed by persecution: — Acts 9:23
- Rest is disturbed by anxiety: — 2 Corinthians 2:13
- Rest at midday: — 2 Samuel 4:5
- Man of rest (i.e., Solomon): — 1 Chronicles 22:9
- A grave as a resting place: — 2 Chronicles 16:14
- Rest in death: — Job 3:11–13, 16–17; Daniel 12:13
- Zion as God’s resting place: — Psalms 132:13–14
- Poverty through overindulgence in rest: — Proverbs 6:10–11
- Value of rest: — Ecclesiastes 4:6
- Glorious resting place of Messiah: — Isaiah 11:10
- The whole earth at rest: — Isaiah 14:7 (Jeremiah 50:34)
- Resting place for animals: — Isaiah 34:14; Isaiah 65:10; Ezekiel 25:5; Zephaniah 2:15
- A sword at rest: — Jeremiah 47:6
- Seeking rest: — Matthew 12:43
Contributor: Gilbert Magomere Ayieko.
