God Rests

GOD RESTS

The Bible tells us that God, after He had completed the world and everything in it, He rested on the seventh day. The Bible also tells us that God trusted man (Adam) with the management of the world and everything that is in it (Genesis1: 26-31). Does the word “rest” imply that God took a break or that He retired? The unexpected tragedies and occurrences appear to support the absence of God. It is difficult for me to accept such conditions as willful acts of God, especially when He intended everything to be good. For that reason, I believe in what Jesus said to Peter that Satan was after him and that he is in the world creating havoc with us and the world (Luke 22:31; Revelation 12:9).

There is no question that someone in the Godhead is resting. God, the “One” that created our world had put everything in place for it to function and no longer had to be involved. The world, even the universe renews and recreates itself. Just like our human bodies become ill and require healing, so the world heals again after a flood or an eruption. No matter what God’s enemies may inflict, they cannot destroy His “Handiwork.” God made a self-sustaining system that shall run its course in spite of the interruptions.

God is not the only one resting. His Son Jesus, after He completed His redemptive work, returned to heaven. He left His work in the hands of His disciples and those that would believe what the disciples believed (John 17:20). A third person or power or force would assist them in their mission. Jesus referred to “This One” as the Counselor and the Holy Spirit (John 14:25). Only those that would request the Spirit’s assistance would benefit (Luke 11:13). Even on the third level, the divine arm of God and Christ will not interfere unless requested and in conjunction with certain conditions. That is why David cried out, “Do not take the Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11-12).

Christians believe in a Holy Trinity. The Hebrews believed in one God; yet wrote about Him in the plural. Instead of “El” singular, they used “Elohim,” which means many gods. The Hebrews did not regard God as being many, but as one that could express him self in many ways through names and agents. We find expressions like “El Shaddai, El Elyon, El Olam, El Roi, El Berith” and others describing the areas God covers (I.D.B). Then we have angels like Gabriel and Michael carrying instructions. God used human beings from Adam to John the Baptist (Matthew 11:13). His last and final instruction to mankind came through Jesus the Christ (Hebrews 1:1-4).
God can afford to rest for He has covered all the bases. He has given us all the instructions we need to make something with our lives or our nation and He has left us with countless witnesses that His instructions work (Hebrews 12:1-13). Since Pentecost, we live in the “Age of the Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4). It is God’s Spirit that leads us into the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).