Be In Rest

One little word can make a big difference.  I love when I am reading the Bible and I find an unexpected word that makes me consider the implications of it.  A new twist of an old truth can be most invigorating to sedentary faith and provokes us to self examination.

I have been reading through the book of Ruth this week and it is a powerful and moving message of devotion, action and faith.  A foreign widow from Moab went to Bethlehem with her bereaved mother-in-law Naomi who was embittered due to personal loss and grief.  She returned from Moab feeling empty when she had a loyal daughter-in-law Ruth who was a hard worker and caring provider.  Ruth "happened" to glean in a field belonging to Boaz who was a near relative.  Over the course of the harvest Naomi directed Ruth to approach Boaz with the request for him to fulfill the duty of a kinsman redeemer, to take her as wife to raise up seed for the dead.

After Ruth communicated her desire in a lawful, honourable way, Boaz stated his clear intent and desire to take her as wife because she was a virtuous woman.  Having explored the matter himself Boaz told Ruth there was a kinsman who was nearer to them who had the right of redemption.  He assured Ruth he would handle the matter and she reported the happy news to Naomi.  Ruth 3:18 reveals the response of Namoi:  "Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."  Ruth had done what was required on her part to set the process in motion, and there was nothing for her to do but wait and see how everything worked out.  Her faith was to remain in God and without care and worry could sit still knowing Boaz would not rest until the job was done.

This verse is rendered in the KJV a little differently:  Ruth 3:18:  "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." (bold emphasis mine)  Naomi assured Ruth Boaz would not rest or "be in rest" until he had concluded the matter.  True to her prediction, Boaz busied himself to assemble 10 men at the gate to legally conduct the business of redeeming the property of Elimelech and Ruth as his wife.  The only way he would enter into rest was to have the job satisfactorily completed.  This is the rest available to Christians to enter into by the work Jesus Christ did on Calvary in demonstrating His love for us.  Life is full of labour, yet there is rest for us today through Christ's finished work.  He has entered into rest and ascended to heaven, and we ought not to fall short of the rest found in Him.

When Naomi's words are rendered "the man will not rest" it focuses on the action he will take; her statement rendered as "the man will not be in rest" speaks of an inner condition, a state of rest in mind and soul.  This is the rest God has for us as we labour to do the work He has called us to do.  No longer is our labour to try to earn favour or blessing from God because He has already accepted us by grace through faith.  Having received the fulness of God we are thus empowered to labour with our hands what is good as we do our part, and take time to sit still and know He is God and has all things in hand.  Let us be those who are in rest because of faith in our glorious Saviour who delights to love us.