Ever done any masonry?
It starts with stacks/piles of blocks, stones, or bricks. Then cement and sand are mixed into mortar. Then there is lifting, setting, measuring, leveling, cleaning and scrubbing—over and over.
Although what is built out of blocks, stone, or brick can be very durable and even beautiful, it’s incredibly hard work.
Israel knew about the hard work of laying blocks
As slaves of Pharaoh, Israel labored and worked making blocks, then building with the blocks they made. But they were under horrible taskmasters who pushed them to breaking points.
Out of their misery they began to cry out to God, and God heard their cries and felt their pain. In response, God called a man named Moses to help His people. He tells Moses,
I have seen the deep sorrows of my people in Egypt and have heard their pleas for freedom from their harsh taskmasters. (Exodus 3:7, TLB)
God’s love and compassion to the rescue
Moved by the pain His people were facing caused God to find a way to deliver His people from Egypt. And then His love and compassion formed a lasting covenant called the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment says,
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work. (Exodus 20:8-10)
God’s loves his people so much that He desires His people to have rest. But He also desires His people to have peace. So He instructed His priests to bless His people this way,
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
The gift of rest and peace
If you are in circumstances right now that are overloading you. You feel weighed-down under the pressure of things you’re facing. You’re weary, anxious, and discouraged. You’re at a breaking point. Maybe you’re under attack and being barraged with different confrontations. Why not do what the people of Israel did—cry out to God. He’s listening for your voice and He’s able to deliver you from the pressure.
Rest and peace. It’s God’s desire for you, and it’s His gift to you.
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