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Day 52: The Two Rests (SoS 1:7a)

 “Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions?”  

Song of Songs 1:7

When you see anyone that has labored hard in the field, under the hot sun, there is something they always desire after: food and rest. In John 10:11 Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

Jesus is our shepherd, and everyone who believes in Him is His sheep. According to the Bride, there are two things the beloved is doing among His flock: feeding and making them rest. Jesus our Lord and shepherd does the same just as David said in Psalm 23:1-2 (Good News Translation):

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass...”

Feeding does go beyond providing food. It encompasses supplying all needs. Sheep usually don't have to worry about anything even protection. We have the example of David who went after a bear and a lion to protect his father's sheep.

Rest denotes utmost satisfaction. A state of wholeness, completeness, and contentment. Shepherds say it's hard to make sheep lie down because they get anxious quickly. It's not impossible though as long as four requirements are met. David also alludes to these requirements in Psalm 23. For sheep to rest, they must be:

  • Free from fear of danger. David says when he goes through the valley of the shadow of death, he fears no evil because of the Shepherd's presence.
  • Fear from tension, rivalry, and competition within the flock. David said the Lord sets a table before him in the presence of his enemies.
  • Free from parasites and insects. David says the Lord anoints his head with oil. One of anointing oil's purposes as mentioned in Lesson 14 is for healing.
  • Completely satisfied with food. David started his psalm by saying because of the Lord, he does not need anything.

Noon is the hottest time of the day when the sun is brightest. For sheep to rest at this time means they must be very content. They must be so satisfied there's nothing for them to worry about.

Jesus offers us two rests as our shepherd stated clearly in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

The first rest Jesus gives is the one we obtain when we come to Him at salvation. He takes our burdens of sin, guilt, condemnation, and death, giving us righteousness, justification, acceptance, and life in return.

The second rest is the one we find in Him by ourselves after salvation. The interesting thing about the word translated rest the second time is that it means an intermission or recreation. Jesus was in essence saying after we receive rest from the burden of sin, there is a rest before we finally attain the promised final rest in Heaven when He comes again.

This is the rest Paul refers to in Hebrews 4:9-10 (Amplified Bible). He said:

“So there remains a [full and complete] Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own.”

The Bride was exhausted from too much labor just like we sometimes are, but Jesus offers a rest of faith that comes when we continually learn from Him. When we feed on His word, we continually increase in the knowledge of Him and take on His burden.

We can be in a state of beautiful fellowship where we are not distracted by any need or the demands of service right here on earth. 

When we find ourselves exhausted, drained, or find our souls are not content for whatever reason, we must seek the Good Shepherd for the food (satisfaction) and rest that only He can give.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord, thank you for the rest that I have received through salvation. Good Shepherd, I ask today that you will guide me into rest and bring me to a place of utmost contentment in you. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • When you feel burnt out or discontent with life, where or from what do you seek rest and satisfaction?
  • How will you ensure that your faith in God's word continually grows and that you increase in the knowledge of Christ daily?


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