Peculiar Rest

Having paid attention to rest that is particular, our mission in this offering is to look closely at rest, being peculiar. Yes, our eyes will be made to focus on Peculiar Rest.

Already stated is the fact that this rest is particular in terms of where it is found, but it is also peculiar. I say peculiar in terms of its uniqueness, singleness and oneness. In other words, search as you may, you will never find this rest duplicated. It is unusual and most confounding, as no human mind can fathom it. Note again the words of Naomi’s prayer. The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband. Ruth 1: 9a. Are you seeing and hearing the mind and heart of Naomi? To find rest means that it is rest which they do not possess. It stands to reason that if these two young women had known this absolutely peculiar rest, Naomi would not have had to be showering such a prayer blessing upon them.

In a very real but different way, Orpah and Ruth had rest with Naomi, as widows. Although the Bible does not spell it out for us, we know that these widows were not kicked out of the family house, once death had passed, broken and parted their marital bond. They continued to live in the family place of Elimelech, and found rest with Naomi as a mother-in-law.  There is no indication whatsoever that those two young widows did not find rest and comfort with Naomi. For one thing, there is rest of mind, knowing that one has a place to live, a bed to lie on and food to eat.

There is much more to be stated on such kinds of rest, and they are vital and needed. However, we must move on to state that the rest to which Naomi is referring, goes way beyond any of those named and unnamed rests, important as they are. It is rest, which is peculiar to the type of husband one marries.

Her prayer is that each young woman may find rest in the husband she takes. This is the rest that affords security for life. It is rest that offers love for life. It is rest that removes all worry, fear and care from the wife, knowing that she will be taken care of by her husband.

It is rest that is peculiar to marriage, as it is not found in any other union of man and woman. Naomi’s prayer blessing is vital, because not every marriage union will produce such expected rest, since some husbands, and wives, I may add, can be most horrible, deviously wretched and unkind.

Naomi’s blessing of rest reminds us of the rest God promised His people, when Solomon stood before the assembly of Israel and with a loud voice, gave God thanks for His intimately personal blessings upon them, the people whom He had chosen to be His. Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. 1 Kings 8: 56. Surely, this is rest unlike any other rest, for it is the rest only had in the One who is your love and the One whose love you are.  Is this not God?

Naomi’s blessing of rest also brings to mind the rest that Jesus affords to all who come to Him, giving their lives to be one with Him. 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. Matthew 11: 29. O yes indeed, taking the yoke of marriage, oneness and obedience to be with Jesus, is to truly find rest. We have this peculiar rest from our Lord, through the ever-faithful Holy Spirit. 

We continue with bated breath, tomorrow.