Rest is a divine blessing, an invitation, and a command consistently explicated in different books of the Bible. Rest is emphasized as a critical aspect of human existence, but also as a reflection of God’s own example after His creation work. Yet the interpretation of rest varies. The Bible presents rest as a period of relaxation, as peace that comes from trust in God, as an eternal reward for the righteous and as an important component of keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Who Gives Rest According to the Bible?
In the Bible, God is the architect, source and perfect example of rest. God exemplified rest after His six days of creation. He sanctified the seventh day as a day of rest, setting a model for mankind. In the Old Testament, through guiding the Israelites out of Egypt, God promised them a land where they would find rest from their hardship. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ invites the weary and burdened, promising to give them rest. This underscores the divine origin of rest and depicts God as one who understands human exhaustion and refreshes those who seek Him.
What Does Rest Signify in the Bible?
Rest in the Bible represents a variety of concepts. It signifies literal physical relaxation and recuperation especially after labor. The Bible also uses rest to symbolize spiritual tranquility that derives from a profound trust in God. Rest according to the Bible, is equivalent to inner peace that transcends human understanding. It is a spiritual state that results from placing one’s life in God’s hands, dismissing anxieties and worries. Furthermore, rest signifies God’s promise of an eternal dwelling place for believers, free from worldly troubles.
Why Does the Bible Encourage Rest?
In addition to presenting rest as a divine example and a blessing, the Bible also couches it as a command and obligation. The Bible emphasizes the importance of rest, for it is essential for rejuvenation and restoration. It encourages rest as a way to prevent burnout, to increase productivity and to maintain physical and mental health. Additionally, the Bible highlights that rest enhances one’s relationship with God enabling more time for reflection and prayer. Rest also serves to remind believers of their reliance on God and contributes to their spiritual wellbeing.
Where does the Bible Discuss Rest?
The concept of rest is scattered widely across the Bible. The Genesis story of creation details God’s own rest on the seventh day after completing creation. The historical books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, illustrate the Mosaic Law which mandated rest on the Sabbath and during different feasts. Psalms and Proverbs depict rest as a blessing and a source of peace, contingent upon trust in God. In the New Testament, the Gospels record Christ’s invitation to the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest.
When Should One Seek Rest According to the Bible?
The Bible provides guidance on when rest should be sought. There are prescribed periods such as the Sabbath, a day set aside each week for rest and worship. Rest is also suggested during times of exhaustion, as a way to physically rejuvenate. The Bible endorses rest during periods of emotional or spiritual turmoil, as a means of seeking peace, solace and connection with God. Furthermore, rest is portrayed as an integral part of life’s rhythm – a balance between periods of work, play and retreat. This concept of rest invites mankind to consistently strike a balance, maintain health, and enjoy the fullest life that God intends.
Below is our full list of bible verses on rest (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Rest
Matthew 11:28-30
“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Related Themes: Frustration Depression Hope
Mark 6:31
“31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Related Themes: Solitude Recreation
Psalm 127:2
“2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”
Related Themes: Vanity Money Business Nightmares
Exodus 33:14
“14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Loneliness Hope
Psalm 4:8
“8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Related Themes: Peace Safety Nightmares Nervousness
Psalm 37:7
“7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Psalm 46:10
“10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Related Themes: Patience Faith Letting Go Hope
Philippians 4:6-7
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Patience Prayer Loneliness Nervousness Worry
Genesis 2:2-3
“2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
Exodus 20:8-11
“8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
Hebrews 4:9-10
“9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
Jeremiah 6:16
“16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”
Related Themes: Revival
Isaiah 30:15
“15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”
Related Themes: Repentance Frustration Strength Hope
Hebrews 4:9-11
“9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
Matthew 11:28
“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Related Themes: Frustration Depression Hope
Exodus 23:12
“12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.”
Exodus 34:21
“21 Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.”
Proverbs 3:24
“24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
Related Themes: Nightmares Peace Sleeplessness Dreams
Mark 2:27
“27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:”
Psalm 62:1
“1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”
Related Themes: Salvation New Beginnings Pride
Matthew 11:29
“29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
John 14:27
“27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Related Themes: Peace Nervousness Loneliness Hope
Genesis 2:3
“3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
Related Themes: Creativity Benevolence Creation New Beginnings
Psalm 55:6
“6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.”
Psalm 116:7
“7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.”
Related Themes: Tears
1 Peter 5:7
“7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Related Themes: Loneliness Frustration Depression Worry Complaining
Isaiah 40:28-31
“28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Loneliness Creativity Greatness
Matthew 8:24
“24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.”
Related Themes: Storms
Psalm 62:1-2
“1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.”
Related Themes: Salvation New Beginnings Pride
Jeremiah 31:25
“25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.”
Related Themes: Water Tired Refreshing
