Leviticus 23:31
You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.
Truth: There is a time when work is no longer appropriate
In this section of Leviticus, Moses is giving instruction to Aaron and his sons in regard to the responsibility of the priest during times of worship and sacrifices. The command, "you shall not do any work," is repeated throughout this section. God was quite specific about the nation (lead by the priests) to cease from work and give reverence to God. One of the Commandments was to Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. It is obvious that God has not just prescribed a "no work" zone for man (in this section and many others) but designed our life to not only need rest, but to intent-fully structure it into our lives. God, in Genesis, in the story of creation, "rested" on the seventh day (that would have been Saturday). God, the creator of the universe structured into the creation story a time for Him to rest. God did not do this because He was tired, but because He established for us, a pattern. God intends on us resting. Too much rest we call slothfulness. No rest we call a workaholic. God intended us to work the other days and times, but He did design a time for us to rest and to honor Him through the rest. The rest is not to simply refresh our bodies (although that is certainly the case, as well). The rest is to honor God and take time out of our work to thank Him and worship Him. During rest we are to reflect on Him and HIs work in our lives, not simply vacation our minds and bodies. We are to take the time to seek Him, above our work and beyond our work. Our work is not to be our goal in life. Our work is to be for Him and we stop doing the work to honor Him in the rest. Take time to rest. God created it for us to enjoy it. Some people can't stop working ... they try to make that sound like they are champions of a "good and strong work ethic they learned from their parents." In reality, it is sin when you can STOP and rest. The nation of Israel stopped observing the Sabbath, the Sabbatical years (every seven years) and the Year of Jubilee (every seven of seven years ... year 49). Instead of resting the land and themselves they worked. It takes faith to rest. It takes faith not to clock in more hours. God intended the nation of Israel and us to live by faith. Taking a day of rest from work is an act of faith. Taking time to rest is trusting that God will honor His Word and bless you, despite the time of not working. There is a time when work is no longer appropriate ... it is actually sin.
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