Rest – No Work

"Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month—nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the LORD your God. All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God's people. And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day. You must not do any work at all! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live. This will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and on that day you must deny yourselves. This day of rest will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day." Leviticus 23:27-32

God values rest. He created the heavens and the earth, plants, animals and people in six days and then He rested. He expects us to do the same. Rest. That is even one of His Ten Commandments.

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8-11

God is pretty serious about keeping this day sacred, holy and restful. No work. He decreed that He… will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day (Leviticus 23:30). That is very specific and since He gave that as a warning—if someone disobeyed they could expect to have their life ended. Would that make you not work on Yom Kippur? Great deterrent for any workaholic.

The shofar is blown at the end of the final service in the synagogue on Yom Kippur, some say to represent the closing of heaven gates or the temple’s gates. It also is significant of the reconciliation with God and with others that has taken place…or should have…in the last ten or more days.

Prayer ~ Lord, may we rest in Your presence today—humbly seeking Your mercy in our lives. Thank you for hearing our prayers.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This is a holy day—the Day of Atonement. God commanded the Israelites not to work and they must fast—abstain from eating. No food today.

As you come off the fast tomorrow—break-fast, consider what soft nourishing foods you will eat. How do you like your eggs? Scrambled, poached, fried—over easy, boiled—soft or hard, or baked in an avocado? There are so many fresh fruits and melons available now. So dish up some fruit and eggs to break your fast. 

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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