Work and Rest in the Bible: God’s Design for Balance

 Scripture demonstrates that work and rest are intended to be friends rather than adversaries. God designed rhythm, balance and purpose. For the nation of Israel, work was more than mere survival, wealth or status; it represented how to obey, provide, create and serve The Most High. So too, did the Israelites' practice of resting demonstrate God's intent for his people. Resting served as a reminder to the Israelites that they were owned by The Most High — not by unending labor, unrelenting fear or oppressive forces.

Work Was Given to Israel Prior to Egypt

It was during their sojourn in Egypt where the Israelites experienced slavery. The labour they performed during their years in Egypt was forced upon them by Pharaoh. When he forced them into bondage and used their labor as a tool of oppression, The Most High observed their suffering and ultimately delivered them. Thus, we understand that labuor has limits. Labor that destroys the human body, robs people of their dignity and holds people captive is not The Most High's plan.

God Provided the Sabbath to Israel

The Sabbath was instituted for Israel (not the general population) as a demonstration of God's relationship with his people. As such, the Sabbath provided an opportunity for the nation to remember their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their liberation from Pharaoh's rule.

Thus, every seventh day was a "day of rest." On that day, the nation ceased from all work activities. And this included servants, livestock and even houses. The Sabbath represented a national rhythm established by God within Israelite society.

Furthermore, a culture which continually evaluates humanity based on productivity can benefit greatly from what the Sabbath represents. Israel was told to cease laboring solely due to God's commandment. Therefore, Israel's value was derived from their status as a chosen people who were instructed, corrected, led and ruled by The Most High.God Began to Establish Patterns of Rest Throughout the Laws He Gave to Israel*

Beyond merely establishing a weekly Sabbath, the laws God gave to Israel included other forms of rest. These included: feast days, land sabbath days and release from obligations. Additionally, God even commanded the earth itself to enter periods of rest. Thus, we clearly see that The Most High's model was not frenetic, greedy or abusive.

As mentioned earlier, God established seasonal rhythms throughout Israelite life. That meant that there would be opportunities for planting crops, harvesting crops, gathering crops, worshiping God, mourning losses, rejoicing over blessings and recovering physically and emotionally. Thus, balance was not necessarily about engaging in whatever seemed most comfortable or enjoyable. Rather, it was about functioning according to God's established order.

The Most High understood the needs of His people. He knew that human bodies require adequate sleep; the land requires time to renew itself; and families need time spent together with one another. The Most High also understood that if left unchecked, ambitions can draw Israel further away from Himself.

Trust is Required for Rest

One of the greatest challenges associated with practicing rest is trusting. In order to truly stop working. To truly take a break — you must trust that God will meet your physical and spiritual needs. During the forty-year journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt, the Israelites learned this lesson through receiving daily manna. Each morning before the Sabbath arrived, they would collect enough food for both that day and the next day.

That lesson taught them dependence. They learned to rely on God's instructions rather than worry about meeting their own needs. They learned to trust that obedience to God would result in abundance.

For contemporary racialized descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, (modern-day Israelites) desiring to rediscover truths within Scripture regarding work and rest, this lesson remains relevant today. Work is essential. Providing for oneself and one's family is important. Creating for future generations is vital. However, we were not created to be overwhelmed by labor while forgetting God's established rhythm.

Returning to Ancient Rhythms of Work and Rest

Through examining work and rest in the context of covenant obedience and remembrance found throughout Scripture, we find evidence of a well-balanced life. God did not instruct the nation of Israel in chaos but instead provided a framework of laws and appointed times that defined their lives.

By studying Scripture through the lens of racial accuracy concerning the ancient black North East Africans described within Scripture we discover a people whom God instructed to live differently. The work of the Israelites was significant; however, so too was their resting.

For additional racially accurate narratives of Scripture rooted in the history of Israelite communities begin reading my True Hebrews novels below: