God In A Hammock

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2a).

Two men went bear hunting in Alaska. The first man stayed in the cabin while the second man went out looking for a bear. It didn't take long and he found a huge bear. He took aim, shot fired, only to wound the bear. This act of aggression enraged the bear and it charged towards the second man. He pointed his rifle at the charging bear only to have the rifle jam, so dropping the rifle he started running for the cabin as fast as he could. Now this man was a fast runner, even had medals at home to prove he was fast at running, but to no avail could he outrun this bear who was gaining ground with every step.  Just as the second man reached the open cabin door, he tripped and fell flat on his face. too close behind to stop the bear tripped over him and went rolling into the cabin.  The first man jumped up at the sight of the rolling bear and the second man slammed the cabin door shut and yelled to his friend, "You skin this one while I go and get another!"

I guess the moral of the story is for many: if you can't handle the present problem hand it off to another. I am not recommending that that is the way to handle problems.  It may not be such a problem as a bear catching up and devouring a person; too often we have a problem of insight and we take the easy road, or an interpretation of scripture that we make so as to fit our presupposition.  Take the above scripture, "God Rested."  Well, if God can rest so can I, let me settle back in my favorite chair and watch a little T.V.  My work is done, honey-do projects almost completed, time for me.  Sometimes translators have a tough time choosing the exact English word from the Hebrew word, and in the above scripture, the word "rest" conjures up on our minds: relaxing.  Is that the meaning of this passage?

The word in the Hebrew is a verb, not an adverb, a verb, therefore it is an action word.  A better translation would be that God " ceased" from the creative work that He had completed.  He did not pull out the hammock, hang it between two newly created shade trees, climb in and sit back and watch "As The World Turns."  The creative work done, now He must manage His creation and from the look of history He has had His hands full.  Can you imagine watching over 6 billion children?  It is tough with four! Like a honey-do list, it never seems to end, there is always one more thing that needs fixing.

Jesus left heaven to come to earth and for a season had earthly work to do.  As soon as that work was done at the cross, He ascended into heaven and continues working as intercessor for us before the Father.  So to for us, there are seasons in our life.  I noticed, I have searched the Scriptures, cannot find the clause that says that I can retire.  I did find the retirement program though; it is in heaven and the retirement party is upon my death, (that is when the cake is served). What I see in the Scriptures that my retirement party started when all of heaven shouted and clapped because I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, and now soon we all will join in with the angels shouting and praising God.  What a retirement party!  Will you join me?

I don't know the final outcome of the first man in the cabin as to who skinned who.  I give this warning, people are out there trying to pass their bears off for you to skin.  Get out of your hammock and join the fight, the fight for truth, and help others, invite them to join the Jesus, the angels and a host of others, to the great banquet prepared for all who wish to come.  Our work is not done.

Daily Prayer:

Father, help me to have wisdom, discernment, and the patience to allow You to show me what work You would have me do.  I give myself to you totally, use me to lead others to Your Son Jesus where they too can find salvation and eternal life with all of us in heaven.  Forgive my laxness in serving you.      Amen