The true sabbatic rest.
Note here the word employed— σαββατισμὸς. This the only occurrence of the word. It is preceded and followed by another word for rest— κατάπαυσις. There must be something in the abrupt utterance for just once of this word in Hebrews 4:9. The different word must emphasize difference of meaning. The difference seems to lie here, that there are two kinds of rest to be thought of—one the rest from toil and exertion, the rest to the weary; the other rest of cessation from work, because something is complete. Thus we have two views of the Christian's future.
I. HE IS TO HAVE REST FROM ALL THAT MAKES LIFE WEARY. The σαββατισμὸς must include the κατάπαυσις: but, then, there may also be the κατάπαυσις every day and all day long. To rest the body after toil is very important, but more important is it to be able to rest the heart. There are only too many who get no proper rest of body on Sunday because their hearts are full of unrest. It is more than can be expected from imperfect humanity that we should attain this constant restfulness of spirit; but let it be understood that the cause lies in our imperfections, and not in any absolute necessity of the case. Rest is begun in a trustful heart, and the more trust the more rest. Much of the weariness of life comes from our own needless, useless struggling. We make toilsome work by our ambitions and our fears. People prefer the toiling and the care of the life of sight to the rest of the life of trust. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul."
II. HE IS TO HAVE REST AFTER COMPLETED WORK. This is the true σαββατισμὸς. Why is the other kind of rest, the rest from toil, necessary? Because man is fallen. He works not according to the pure, original power of his creation, but under constraint; duty and inclination too often opposed; or, if not in opposition, there is immense friction between them. But if there had been no fall, the work of each individual man would have gone on calmly, equably, till it was done. Then the σαββατισμὸς would come. Look at man on parallel lines from God. God works out the great scheme and order of creation, and then ceases creating; but he is not weary when the work is done. God makes men in his own image; and the universal human race has its work to do, with each individual working in his proper place. Then, when the work is done, comes the sabbatism. Let this nobler view of rest be ours. In the heat of noonday it is permitted that we look to the sunset and think of rest from toil. But let us also take pride in the work we have to do, thinking that some day, by the Spirit of God working in us, the workmanship will be complete. God will have his particular sabbatism in us; and. we, complete in Christ, shall get our sabbatism with God.—Y.