Sleep: What Does the Bible Say?ናሙና

Sleep is Good

Everything God created in the beginning was deemed good, and this includes sleep. When God made Adam and Eve, He designed them with the need and ability to rest. Sleep, therefore, should never be seen as something negative or unimportant. Right from the start, God demonstrated the goodness of sleep by causing Adam to fall into a deep sleep when creating Eve. As Genesis 2:21-22 describes, “So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man... and the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman.” Though the primary focus of this passage is God's power to create life, sleep was a part of this divine process, showing that it is inherently good.

Sleep serves as a daily reminder of our dependence on God. Just as God worked while Adam was asleep, producing good without Adam's involvement, so too does God work in our lives when we rest. When we sleep, we allow our bodies to heal, re-energize, and prepare for the good works God has planned for us. However, like all good things, sleep can be corrupted by sin. When overindulged or misused, it becomes laziness or slothfulness. The Bible teaches us that while sleep is a gift from God, it must be balanced and purposeful in line with His will.

Discussion Question: How can we ensure that we are using sleep as God intended, as a way to rest and prepare for His work, while avoiding the pitfalls of laziness or slothfulness?

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of rest and sleep. Help us to trust You as we rest, knowing that You are always at work for our good, even while we sleep. Give us wisdom to use sleep as You intended, to refresh and renew us for the good works You have planned for us each day. Protect us from the temptations of laziness, and guide us to live in balance, honoring You with our rest and our efforts. In Jesus' name, Amen.