Currently I am studying the book of Ezra with women of my church. We looked at the reason that God allowed Israel’s captivity in Babylon. One reason was their failure to give the land its Sabbath rest. I read about the Sabbath rest that God commanded his people. I have been chewing on this. What would it look like today?
The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath rest to the Lord. For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather its fruits, but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard . . . . The Sabbath of the land shall provide food for you . . . Leviticus 25: 1-4, 6
God commanded an amazing pause in their activity. Was it for more time in relationship to Him and their family?
The pandemic is leading to cancellations in events, conferences and sports. It is a time to pause.
Less time for busyness and distraction.
More time for family meals. More time for Bible study and reflection. More time to be aware of the needs of our neighbor. More time to pray for nurses, doctors and health care providers. More time to pray for revival.
A time for steadfast faith.
UPDATE 3/17/2020: For families with children home from school it can be a challenge to find materials to keep children busy. My daughter is using Louie Giglio’s book, How Great is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science, for devotions and to launch some study of science.
This also is a good time for children to help with household activities–cooking, baking, cleaning and laundry.
This post is shared with Kate’s Five Minute Friday writing community. Today’s prompt is: LESS I am also joining the link-up with Anita’s Inspire Me Monday.
I live far from the ken of man
so my life doesn’t pause
according to a master plan
of epidemic laws.
Got to go and move the cows,
then feed and walk the dogs,
write sonnets as my brain allows
and try to fix my Hog.
Weld up parts for aeroplanes,
and for my neighbour’s well,
clean out all their sumps and drains
(which really smells like h***).
When I’m done, the sun is down,
and no way will I go to town!
Sabbath is so important! Ezra is a book we don’t study much.
You are in the same season we are, I believe…
I agree, one thing I have been thinking about with all the potential cancellations and restricted social contact coming up is how to use the time well and make the most of a pause in the busyness.
good way to look at it. How the stopping of meetings, events and what not. A good time for us to pause ourselves. 🙂 Good read. #12 this week.