John Steward of Jesus
  The "Good News" (Gospel) > Sporadic Log > Sleep and rest

Sleep and rest

(Posted at theekklesiachurch in response to criticism of "yet a little sleep", and a declaration that "there is no rest" except "on the other side of the veil".)

April 30, 2008

If my memory is correct, I heard a report years ago of someone who said that he could give people rest.
John

May 1, 2008

There are many references to rest in the ancient writings. The one I
was thinking of is at the end of Matthew 11:
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Whether or not the rest in focus in this reference is "on the other side
of the veil", it seems to me that there are many favorable references in scripture to rest on this side of the veil.

There are many references to the goodness of the sabbath rest, and to the good times when there was rest from war.

Here are more favorable references to rest.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because
of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully
with thee. Psalm 116:7
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight
unto thy soul. Proverbs 29:17
As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest; so didst thou lead thy people to make thyself a glorious
name. Isaiah 63:14
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.... Mark 6:31

Similarly, there are unfavorable references to the absence of rest.
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. Proverbs 29:9
Our necks are under persecution: we labor, and have no rest.
Lamentations 5:5
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night.... Revelation 14:11 (Perhaps the origin of "there is no rest for the wicked".)

"Yet a little sleep" may sometimes be bad. But at other times sleep can be good.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only
makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of
sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie
down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Proverbs 3:24

It seems to me that the good way of wisdom avoids both the way of the slothful sluggard, and the way of the compulsive worker who can take no rest.

With my understanding of the word "rest", it saddens me to learn that there is no rest at (the writer's location). You may assume a different meaning of the word.

Eagerly anticipating a night of rest and sleep,
John

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