Early in my writing in this blog, I wrote on the topic of “What Jesus Probably Didn’t Mean”. I really enjoyed finding the intended meaning of the phrase, by simply considering the context of the passage. It was usually very challenging!
It has been quite a while since I had considered that series, and when I was a pondering, I considered that the Word, apart from the gospels, has provided numerous sayings or phrases we hear in our day to day lives. After a while of considering some of these phrases, I thought there may be some benefit in a series on this topic, considering how they were originally intended in the Word, and how we may have twisted, or watered down the intent of the message by our day to day use.
With that said, I would like to start a corollary study to my “What Jesus Probably Didn’t Mean” posts with
“What the Bible Probably Didn’t Mean”
Our first verse is one I heard very often as I grew up. My mother was widowed lady with four boys ranging from a three year old to a seventeen year old, and fought daily to keep us fed and taken care of.
I remember numerous time as I was on the couch, watching the Beverly Hillbillies or Get Smart, she would come home from work, only to find more work facing her before she fell asleep. Granted, some of that work could have been lightened by one of my brothers, but that isn’t the focus of the story!
Nevertheless, it was common to hear my mother speak of some wicked people never finding rest. Eventually I came to understand she meant herself, for as she found something to clean up, or dishes to wash, she would mutter “No rest of the wicked”.
Is that the intended message of Isaiah 60:1, that because of wickedness, work will replace a good nights sleep?
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
My momma had the saying slightly twisted, for the Word speaks of the lack of peace for the wicked. There is a difference, for though peace and rest often are associated together, there is a condition of peace for the soul, even while exhausted.
Let’s consider the conditions Isaiah was in when this passage was provided to us. Israel was in the midst of captivity due to their idolatrous lives, and Isaiah is writing in the 57th chapter of Israel’s spiritual adultery, of how God is dealing with His sinning people, and describes of how His people can find peace and restoration.
A key verse to consider in Isaiah 57:15-21 is the description of those who are with God.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Of course, those who seek God and exhibit a contrite spirit experience the peace of God in their lives, and though they go through, at times, horrendous ordeals, the witness of the church is that peace remains with those who are humble and lowly before the Lord and others.
Those who are not lowly, who exercise a proud heart and a haughty spirit are in constant turmoil within their mind and heart. Peace eludes them for they have walked away from the source of peace pursued a different path, a path of seeking unjust gain.
Those who choose this path walk away from peace, and the many benefits of trust in God that accompany a soul that bends the knee to God.
Isaiah’s description of the wicked constantly spewing up mire and dirt, as the tossing sea speaks of the unsettled heart and the unbridled tongue throwing out vile actions and words, are spoken just prior to our verse, where God states
There is no peace for the wicked
The phrase is very true today as it was in ancient days, for those who pursue worldly gain at any cost miss out on eternal gain, the peace and tranquility of knowing God. The modern message of “no rest for the wicked” is a derivative of our original saying and describes a soul that is constantly chasing of goods and possessions, instead of being caught by God, and resting in His goodness.
When we hear someone speak this common phrase, it might be best to ask if we can give them a hand, provide support, speak of peace through our actions, because we know the One who provides the peace!
Come to think of it, I should have gotten off the couch!
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Considering the Bible 