This is my second part of my Sabbath time. Tonight is a little different than what I plan to do. But, I want to focus on what I've been thinking about while studying and listening to my Sabbath podcast. So, bear with me as I process while rambling and working out what Sabbath time should entail.
Tonight's episode talked about two different Hebrew words- one meaning Shabbat, which means literally "to stop, to rest". I get that. During Sabbath time, we should stop work, but that means different things to different people. In Jewish culture, that means not only to stop a job or vocation during Sabbath time but also things like cooking, cleaning, driving, etc. Jesus looked at it differently. He healed a man on the Sabbath and upset the pious Jewish leaders. But, if we are to live like Jesus, should our Sabbath time include a time of helping others? Or, was the point simply not to get too caught up in the logistics nd rules. Should our Sabbath time be not so set and regulated as I am trying to figure it to be? I'm hoping by the end of my study, I'll have a better picture of this aspect of it.
The other word that they talked about is one I was not very familiar with, although I had heard it in another series they did a long time ago so I vaguely recognized it. "Nuakh" is a Hebrew word that means to rest, but more than that. It means to settle in. One mentioned "nesting" may come from that word. When I think of nesting I think of expectant mothers settling in by cleaning and getting things ready, which doesn't necessarily sound restful. But, cleaning, simplifying, and decluttering is a calming activity for me and I could see that as a focused part of my Sabbath journey as I find peace from it. Settling in also brings thoughts of relaxation and getting comfy. I picture a cozy fire, comfy clothes, and sitting on the couch with a good book on a cold winter day. Maybe I'm thinking of the line from "Twas the night before Christmas" where they are settling down for a long winter's nap. Should Sabbath time include a time of just settling in with a good book or a movie, relaxing and enjoying a time away from work and the hustle and bustle of life? One site I looked up says this. "On the seventh day YHWH rested… and He wanted us to do the same… but not just us. All of His creation was to rest after a time period of “seven”, including the land...Rest was important for every aspect of creation… humans, animals, land… everything needed to be given a break so they could refresh and be the best human/animal/farm they could be." (https://hebrewwordlessons.com/2020/04/19/nuakh-i-will-give-you-rest/)
Nuakh is also the Hebrew name of Noah. This is interesting to think about in regards to the Sabbath. He spent time working hard to get ready for the flood, building the ark and collecting the animals. Then, once the rain started, there wasn't much he could do besides hang out on the ark. Although, while one article talked about that being a time of rest, I can't imagine a lot of rest with all those animals to care for! But, I get the point.
Another article that talks about rest and nuakh also says this. "We need to produce order in our six days to enjoy on our seventh." (https://nuakh.uk/2021/07/08/what-is-rest/) I find this an interesting thought. It goes along with my thought the other day about preparing for the Sabbath so that I don't have to work during that time. But, I feel like it goes a little further than just focusing on preparing for the Sabbath and makes me think about the other time in general and if that time leads me to the Sabbath and if it is productive enough, and lastly is the rest of my time planned enough so that I don't have to worry about things during my Sabbath time.
The article also mentions rest and what the writer thinks the Sabbath is not, which could be contradictory to some of my previous thoughts. So, while I'll keep it in mind, I still haven't come to any conclusions about what my Sabbath time is and isn't.
"Jesus wants to clarify the meaning of Sabbath for them. The people are in need of rest—to stop hard work (shabbat) and be present with God (nuakh)." (https://bibleproject.com/blog/keeping-the-sabbath-is-it-still-relevant-to-christians-today/) This is taken from a blog on the Bible Project website that was written about the same time as the podcast was done. So, I'm hoping as I continue to explore this, I will come to understand this more and will enjoy my time being present with God.
What do these two words have to do with my relationship with God? How do Sabbath and Nuakh help me get closer to Him? Is that the point? Or is this just a time to rest and by resting I am reenergized to go on and focus more on Him. Does my Sabbath time include this if what I'm doing is positive, my words and actions pleasing to Him?
So, where was God today? He is guiding me to understand Him better.
Blessings,
Jennifer
No comments:
Post a Comment