Sabbath, Living From Restಮಾದರಿ

Lord of Creation

To begin our search for abiding rest, let’s first determine its biblical precedence. Today we will look intently at the Old Testament and tomorrow at the New.

Moeḏ (Strongs Hebrew Lexicon, H4150) is  defined as: a sacred or appointed place, time, or meeting; a sign, signal, season; a set feast; or a tent of meeting.

•  This word can describe an appointed meeting between people; for instance, an appointed meeting (moed) between Jonathan and David (1 Sam. 20:35).

•  It can designate a moment of divine fulfillment, a set time and place where God’s perfect plan intersects earth life: In Genesis 21:2 Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in their old age at the set time (moed).

•  This word is also used to describe the lasting ordinances of sacred annual assemblies and feasts instituted by God Himself throughout the Old Testament: Passover, Pentecost, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles, Purim, etc., each a commemorative appointment (moed) between God and His people that they might remember His exploits, recommit themselves, and receive His blessing over and over. These feasts included holy assembly, celebration, and rest.

•  This word appears in Old Testament prophesies designating the appointed time (moed) God will execute His judgement and mercy for the sake of His people.

•  But I was most surprised to find this word was the title Holy Spirit gave to the tent where Moses met with God after the exodus and later chose to describe the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. The Shekinah of God’s manifest presence covered the “tent of the congregation” (moed) in Exodus 21:2. God dwelled or camped with Israel at this holy appointed time and place.

Are you seeing a common thread here as I am? Rest is relational! Appointed, relational rest is so precious to our Father that He placed remembering the Sabbath fourth in the Ten Commandments. God created/worked and then rested, setting a holy precedent. In honor of His enduring example, we create/work then rest. He sanctified (consecrated, dedicated, made holy) the Sabbath (from a root that means to cease, desist, or rest) and called it blessed (to be blessed or to kneel).

Throughout the Old Testament the Lord instituted specific times and places for His relational goodness to be brought to bear that His people might receive His restorative blessedness. He did this for love’s sake. This reciprocal relationship—God’s heart resting in ours and our heart resting in His—is the most precious appointed time and place in heaven and earth.