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Rest and Redemption in God's Economy

The concepts of rest and redemption are interwoven throughout biblical theology, often appearing together in descriptions of God's relationship with humanity and the created order. Redemption, at its core, signifies the act of purchasing back something that was lost through the payment of a ransom [1]. The Greek term apolutrosis, frequently translated as redemption, consistently carries this idea of a price paid [1]. This concept is evident in passages such as Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, where Christ's life is presented as a ransom [1].

Biblical texts illustrate redemption in various contexts. In the Old Testament, the term lutron is used for human-to-human transactions, such as buying back property or a person [1]. It also applies to humanity's relationship with God, as seen in Numbers 3:49 and 18:15 [1]. The New Testament further develops this, emphasizing that redemption is from the power and guilt of sin, as well as its penal consequences [14]. It is accomplished through Christ, specifically through his blood [9]. This act of redemption frees individuals from the bondage and curse of the law, the power of sin, and even the grave [9]. One purpose of this redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed [17].

Rest, or requiescam in Latin, is a recurring theme, often presented as a divine gift or a promised state [2]. The idea of rest is deeply connected to God's own rest after creation, and it is offered to his people [12]. For instance, Psalm 62:1 states, "In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him" [4]. The Sabbath, a day of rest, serves as a reminder of God's rest and a pattern for human refreshment [12]. Adam Clarke notes that if one observes the Sabbath religiously, both body and soul can be refreshed, gaining "new light and life" [12].

The New Testament expands on the concept of rest, particularly in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 4:9 declares, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" [3]. This "special rest" is understood as a Sabbatism, a perfect and eternal Sabbath-rest that is yet to be fully realized [11, 16]. It is available through Christ's sacrifice, which functioned as a Day of Atonement [11]. This future rest is not merely a cessation from labor but a profound relaxation and loosening of tension [15].

The intertwining of rest and redemption is seen in the idea that God is the "habitation" of his people, providing them with rest and safety [7]. The death of saints is described as a "sleep in Christ," leading to rest and comfort [6]. This rest is a blessed state, full of faith, peace, and hope [6]. Isaiah 30:15 suggests that salvation comes through "returning and rest," implying a turning back to God and finding repose in him [13]. The names "Geuel" (God's redemption) and "Shabbethai" (my rest) further illustrate the close conceptual relationship between these two themes [5, 8]. The "economy" of God, referring to his ordered plan, consistently includes both redemption and the provision of rest for his people [10].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  2. Psalms “In pace in idipsum dormiam, et requiescam ; -- Psalms 4:9”
  3. Hebrews “Hebrews 4:9 (Geneva1599) — There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 62:1 (BSB) — In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.”
  5. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Geuel — God's redemption”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death of Saints, The — A sleep in Christ -- 1Co 15:18; 1Th 4:14. Is blessed -- Re 14:13. Is gain -- Php 1:21. Is full of Faith. -- Heb 11:13. Peace. -- Isa 57:2. Hope. -- Pr 14:32. Sometimes desired -- Lu 2:29. Waited for -- Job 14:14. Met with resignation -- Ge 50:24; Jos 23:14; 1Ki 2:2. Met without fear -- 1Co 15:55. Precious in God's sight -- Ps 116:15. God preserves them to -- Ps 48:14. God is with them in -- Ps 23:4. Removes from coming evil -- 2Ki 22:20; Isa 57:1. Leads to Rest. -- Job 3:17; 2Th 1:7. Comfort. -- Lu 16:25. Christ's presence. -- 2Co 5:8; Php 1:23”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Habitation — God is the habitation of his people, who find rest and safety in him (Ps. 71:3; 91:9). Justice and judgment are the habitation of God's throne (Ps. 89:14, Heb. mekhon, "foundation"), because all his acts are founded on justice and judgment. (See Ps. 132:5, 13; Eph. 2:22, of Canaan, Jerusalem, and the temple as God's habitation.) God inhabits eternity (Isa. 57:15), i.e., dwells not only among men, but in eternity, where time is unknown; and "the praises of Israel" (Ps. 22:3), i.e., he dwells among those praises and is continually surrounded by them.”
  8. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shabbethai — my rest”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
  10. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 37:26: his seed is blessed--literally, "for a blessing" (Gen 12:2; Psa 21:6). This position is still true as the rule of God's economy (Ti1 4:8; Ti1 6:6).”
  11. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 4:9: 4:9 a special rest: Jesus’ sacrifice functioned as a Day of Atonement sacrifice (5:1-3; 9:13-22; see Lev 23:26-28, 32). Through Christ’s sacrifice, God’s promised rest for his people is available.”
  12. Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 31:17: Rested, and was refreshed - God, in condescension to human weakness, applies to himself here what belongs to man. If a man religiously rests on the Sabbath, both his body and soul shall be refreshed; he shall acquire new light and life.”
  13. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 30:15: For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,.... This is still repeated, though displeasing to the carnal Jews, who, notwithstanding their ill behaviour to the Lord, condescends to give them the best advice, as follows: in returning and rest shall ye be saved; or "may be saved" (o); this is the right and the only way, namely, by "returning" from their evil ways, particularly their purpose of going to Egypt for help, and by returning to God by repentance and reformation, and to his worship and ordinances; and so the Targum, "if ye return to my law;'' and”
  14. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:7: In whom--"the Beloved" (Eph 1:6; Rom 3:24). we have--as a present possession. redemption--Greek, "our (literally, 'the') redemption"; THE redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially of the New Testament (Rom 3:24), namely, from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin (Mat 1:21). If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond-servant, his kinsman might redeem him (Lev 25:48). Hence, antitypically the Son of God became the Son of man, that as our kinsman He might redeem us (Mat 20:28). Another "redempti”
  15. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 1:7: rest--governed by "to recompense" (Th2 1:6). The Greek is literally, "relaxation"; loosening of the tension which had preceded; relaxing of the strings of endurance now so tightly drawn. The Greek word for "rest," Mat 11:28, is distinct, namely, cessation from labor. Also, Heb 4:9, "A keeping of sabbath." with us--namely, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the writers, who are troubled like yourselves. when--at the time when . . . ; not sooner, not later. with his mighty angels--rather as the Greek, "with the angels of His might," or "power," that”
  16. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:9: therefore--because God "speaks of another day" (see on Heb 4:8). remaineth--still to be realized hereafter by the "some (who) must enter therein" (Heb 4:6), that is, "the people of God," the true Israel who shall enter into God's rest ("My rest," Heb 4:3). God's rest was a Sabbatism; so also will ours be. a rest--Greek, "Sabbatism." In time there are many Sabbaths, but then there shall be the enjoyment and keeping of a Sabbath-rest: one perfect and eternal. The "rest" in Heb 4:8 is Greek, "catapausis;" Hebrew, "Noah"; rest from weariness, as the ar”
  17. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”
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