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Simplicity (4) – A Slower Pace – (Simplicity: Finding Contentment in a Busy Life – Lesson 4)

Simplicity (4) – A Slower Pace

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Simplicity: Finding
Contentment in a Busy Life.”

Our focus scripture is Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12-17

Rest is a gift from GOD.

Rest and time are both gifts. In Ephesians 5:15-16:

15 See then that you walk [e]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

The Apostle Paul admonishes fellow Christians to walk carefully, watching every step they take and for them to make the most of their time because the days are evil. Plus, life is but a vapor that appears and then vanishes. GOD has given everyone the opportunity to live upon earth for a period of time, therefore make the most of it by living obediently for HIM through faith in JESUS.

Our scripture is taken from the Book of Exodus. It is believed that Moses wrote the Book of Exodus possibly between 1445-1406 BC. In fact, it is believed that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, which are referred to as the Pentateuch. They reveal GOD and HIS desire for HIS chosen people, the Israelites, to choose HIM. HIS desire was for them to live obediently for HIM upon earth until they exit this physical life to return to HIM to live with HIM in Heaven forever. GOD gave mankind the Ten Commandments plus other laws to keep them both physically and Spiritually healthy while they live upon earth.

GOD’S desire was for HIS chosen people to be examples and witnesses to other people, tribes and nations that surrounded them or had heard about their relationship with the One True GOD, Yahweh.

The first four commandments relate to humanity’s relationship with GOD. The next six commandments relate to humanity’s relationship with fellow humans. All ten are vital to building the right relationship with GOD and reflecting that relationship to others upon earth.

GOD certainly manifested Himself in many mighty miracles but most especially when HE led Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. GOD revealed HIS power to the Egyptians and to other nations.

JESUS taught that Christians are the light of the world and are the salt of the earth. The life, death, resurrection, ascension and the return of the Holy Spirit reveals the ultimate power of JESUS over both sin and eternal death.

GOD made the human body and HE knows that all humans need rest. In fact, GOD gave the example when HE created the earth and all that was needed to be in it. GOD worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. GOD does not slumber or sleep but mankind needs to rest, thus GOD set the example for humans to rest every seven days. Let’s explore!

We must keep in mind that GOD says what HE means and means what HE says. Simply, people of earth take a day of rest. However, over time, the religious leaders in Israel transformed the Sabbath into a legalistic system.

The Sabbath was intended to allow the people to fulfill their essential duties e.g. feed their livestock, prepare meals, etc. They were to take care of their non-essential duties during the six-days.

Travel on the Sabbath was restricted. GOD’S Word stated no travel. Then over the years the religious leaders began expanding the length of travel and methods of how they could extend travel to where they needed to go on the Sabbath without violating the law. The distance went from 2,000-cubit or just over a mile from his home or domicile. However, there were ways around the law. A Jew could establish his domicile at the 2000-cubit limit by placing a garment or food at the end of the restricted distance and then walk another 2000-cubit, place another garment or food to establish domicile until he reached the place he needed to go on the Sabbath. The Jew would return picking up the thing he had left. JESUS came to earth to fulfill the law and to bring grace to all who receive HIM as their Savior.

In Matthew 12:1-8 JESUS was confronted by the Pharisees regarding HIS disciples harvesting and threshing on the Sabbath because they were hungry.

Lord of the Sabbath

12 At that time Jesus passed through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”

 

3 He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry— 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate[a] the sacred bread, which is not lawful for him or for those with him to eat, but only for the priests? 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law[b] that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? 6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here! 7 If you had known what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice,[c] you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
In a former church many years ago, I was told of a devout man in the church whose mother had a flat tire on Sunday and he would not change the tire until Monday.

Let’s read Exodus 20:8-11:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the foreigner who is within your gates. 11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.

What does “sabbath” mean? It is an English transliteration of the Hebrew word “sabbat,” which means “stopping” or “ceasing.” Simply stopping from the routines of everyday life to remember Who GOD is and what HE has done for us as humans.

So, what has GOD provided for every person upon earth? Do you realize that every human is a miracle? That one sperm out 40 million to over a billion sperm cells fought hard to reach that one egg that resulted in you. Was that by accident or by design?

What does the Apostle Paul reveal to us in Ephesians 1:4?

Ephesians 1:4 – 4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[b] In love[c] In His sight in love.

We were not an accident our parents may call some child an accident but we are upon earth by design and have purpose. Why are we where we are in the first place? We are upon earth because GOD chose us.

Then why are there physical and medical issues with humans? It is called sin. We live in an imperfect world because of sin. In a perfect world all would be perfect but earth is not the perfect world GOD intended for humans. Sin changed that. The gift of GOD is both physical and Spiritual life. Physical birth gives the opportunity for eternal Spiritual life though faith in JESUS. JESUS is the ultimate expression of GOD’S love.

What does John 3:16-18 reveal to us?


16 “For God loved the world in this way:[j] He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

JESUS is the ultimate expression of GOD’S love to mankind.

Every human’s part is to accept that love by accepting JESUS as their Savior and making HIM LORD of their lives by faith. Believing that HE is the sinless SON of GOD, Who willingly gave HIS life in place of every person’s life who will ever live upon earth. If so, why does a person have to accept JESUS as the perfect sacrifice for his or her sin? GOD gives ever person the freedom to choose, otherwise humans would be preprogramed robots. That is GOD’S plan and design as recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:21:


21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin[l] for us (all who place their faith in JESUS), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The instant we ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and for HIM to come into our hearts the miracle of Spiritual rebirth takes place. We are Spiritually born into GOD’S family, never to be unborn. Now that is Good News and worth shouting about!

Life is tough and that is why GOD mandated us a day of rest from our busy-ness and for us to focus on HIM. GOD declared the Sabbath, Holy. GOD designed the human body and HE knew that we needed to pause, rest, reflect and worship HIM though faith in JESUS. The sabbath is a day of rest physically and day to refresh Spiritually by worshiping GOD/JESUS e.g. talking to GOD/JESUS, reflecting on HIS goodness, praising and thanking HIM.

Let’s read Exodus 31:12-14:

Observing the Sabbath

 

12 The Lord said to Moses: 13 “Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart. 14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people.

 

GOD intended the Sabbath to be a special day. It was to be a day of HIS chosen people to worship HIM and to be an example to all other people and nations. The Jews are GOD’S chosen people and Christians are GOD’S chosen people. We are to set the example of worshipping the One True GOD. GOD left HIS home in heaven to come to earth to reveal HIS love for us. HE came and lived upon earth fully human, tempted as humans are tempted, fully capable of sinning, yet without sin. HE willingly gave HIS life on the cross to pay, in full, the penalty for sin, HE died, was buried, was raised for the physically dead to receive eternal life to reveal to all the world that HE had conquered both sin and eternal death, walked upon earth for 40 days which was witnessed by over 500 people, ascended into Heaven and sent the Holy spirit to indwell all who place their faith in HIM through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. HIS name is JESUS.

 

Setting aside one out of seven days to worship GOD through faith in JESUS is vital both for a Christian’s physical and Spiritual health. The church is a beacon casting it Spiritual light to all who are experiencing the storms of life and offering hope. Church is not a showcase for Saints but a hospital for the Spiritually sick, the broken hearted and those sinking in despair.

 

Some people have to work on the Sabbath, which is a Christian’s Saturday. Since the resurrection of JESUS was on the day after the Jewish Sabbath or the first day of the week, Sunday became the day of worship for Christians or the seventh day. The key is to set aside a day of rest, reflection and worship of GOD through faith in JESUS. One day out of seven is GOD’S command.

Let’s read Exodus 31:15-17:

15 Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”

 

Notice that setting aside a day of rest is not an option but a command. Why? It is because taking a Sabbath rest provides Spiritual, physical, mental and emotional benefits. It is a time, set aside to come together as a body of believers for corporate worship of GOD through faith in JESUS, Bible Study, fellowship and praise. It is time family units or individuals to focus on what is vital in building a personal, loving and intimate relationship with the One True GOD manifested through faith in JESUS.