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Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

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REST . The conception of rest as a gift of God runs through the Bible, the underlying idea being not idleness, but the freedom from anxiety which is the condition of effective work. It is promised to Israel in Canaan ( Exodus 33:14 , Deuteronomy 3:20 ), and Zion is the resting-place of J″ [Note: Jahweh.] ( Psalms 132:8; Psalms 132:14 ), the Temple being built by ‘a man of rest’ ( 1 Chronicles 22:9; a contrast is implied with the desert wanderings in Numbers 10:33-36 ). At the same time no earthly temple can be the real resting-place of J″ [Note: Jahweh.] ( Isaiah 66:1 , Acts 7:49 ). The rest of the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year are connected with the rest of God after creation ( Genesis 2:2 , Exodus 20:11 , Leviticus 25:4; see art. Sabbath). The individual desires rest, as did the nation ( Psalms 55:8 ); it is not to be found in ignoble ease ( Genesis 49:15 Issachar), but in the ways of God ( Psalms 37:7 , Jeremiah 6:10 ); it is the gift of Christ ( Matthew 11:28 ). Sinners fail to find it ( Isaiah 28:12; Isaiah 57:20 ), as Israel failed ( Psalms 95:11 ). Hebrews 4:1-16 develops the meaning of this failure, and points to the ‘sabbath rest’ still to come. This heavenly rest includes not only freedom from labour, as in OT ( Job 3:13; Job 3:17 [in Psalms 16:9 , see RV [Note: Revised Version.] ]), but also the opportunity of continued work ( Revelation 14:13 ).

C. W. Emmet.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Rest'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​r/rest.html. 1909.
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