An invitation to enter rest - A nomadic metaphor for salvation

The book of Hebrews was written to a people at a crossroads. Something significant had just happened, a Son had arrived and changed everything they thought they knew about God. This book helped them sort through how the new way was so much better than the old way, and how Jesus was the bit of the story that made it all make sense, and the one they had always been waiting for, even when they didn't know it.

In the midst of this the author uses a metaphor of "entering rest" to tie together the salvation messages through Biblical history, from the last day of creation, where God created, and demonstrated true rest, through Moses, when the people rebelled and refused to enter rest, and then David, where the promise of rest is available in his day to all who will listen, and right to Jesus, the leader who opens the way into true rest. You can follow this story through Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. It's also thick with warnings about not missing out on the rest that is offered.

Hebrews 4:6-7 NLT So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today.

'Entering rest' is not the first thing that comes to mind when we search for a way to explain salvation. But, that's exactly what we are talking about here. Hebrews 3:5 says that the story of Moses, and by extension the rest of these references, are given to illustrate the truths that are revealed with the coming of Christ. The salvation that Jesus offers us is to finally enter the rest that God has prepared for his people from the very beginning.

And it's a metaphor that makes sense to people on the move. Entering rest is getting in to a good place where we can really start resting. Not just the afterlife, mind you, but a spiritual location where we can be located now. Entering rest doesn't mean ceasing from movement either, but rather an escape from anxiety, danger and fear.

The book of Hebrews is great for nomads in many other ways. It's full of tents for extended journeys, animals for blood sacrifice, promises and oaths and living by faith. In fact, it might be the ideal introduction to the message of Christ for pagan, nomadic cultures.

Photo credit Alex Donnachie.