DIV4/6: WHAT ARE THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF LEISURE?

WHAT ARE THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF LEISURE?

• In the old testament, God worked for six days and blessed the seventh day as a day for res (Gen 2:2)
• The Israelites were commanded to rest from work on the Sabbath (Ex 20:8-11)
• The Sabbath feast was made a day for worship of the creator, a day of thanksgiving, asking for God’s help (Deut 5:12-15)
• The Sabbath feast was also meant for fellowship. It was a time of giving sacrifices after which there was sharing of meat (Num 28:9-11)
• Leisure was for development of skills (Ecc 30:2)
• Leisure was understood as a human rhythm. There was time for everything (Ecc 3:1-8)
• The Psalms showed how God was to be worshipped joyfully with musical instruments (Psalms 150:47)
• The Jews joined in several feAfrican traditional society, Passover, tabernacles, Pentecost and many others When a temple in Jerusalem was opened, everyone had to go there for those feasts and celebrations.
• In the new testament, Jesus passed his leisure time attending Sabbath celebrations where he fully participated in reading scriptures (Lk 4;16)
• Jesus also relaxed by attending wedding parties . For example at Cana (John 2:1) where he allowed to drink some alcohol by changing water into wine to save the couple from public embarrassment.
• Jesus would go to lonely place for personal reflection, he could invite his disciples for reflection (Mat 6:31)
• Christ also enjoyed his leisure time by visiting friends. Thee were Martha and Mary, sister of Lazarus (Luke 5: 29, 19:5)
• Jesus noted that leisure should not control men. When Sabbath become a burden, he noted that Sabbath was made for the good of man, man was not made for the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-25)
• Jesus created and strengthened relationship with his father in prayer.
• Jesus rested from work, he had time to sleep. In the gospel, he is presented to have been lying on a pillow sleeping during the time of the heavy storm.

THE MISUSE OF LEISURE IN THE BIBLE

• Gen 6:1-9 indicates people misusing their leisure time by engaging in adultery and fornication.
• The men of Sodom and Gomorrah fell in love with fellow men (Gen 19)
• Exodus 32 indicates Israelites indicating leisure by making and worshiping the golden calf as their god.
• Isaiah 5:11-22 condemns all those who were getting up early in the morning and start drinking.
• Amos 4:1-11 condemns the women of Bashan who demanded their husbands to keep them supplied with Liquor.
• Proverbs 23:19 discouraged people who used their leisure time to become drunkards.