Laws regarding Rest. Exodus 23:10-12 There are reasons beyond physical tiredness why God made rest a requirement by law. Productive work began in the Garden of Eden and has always been a way for a person to find their personal significance. Since the fall of man into sin, it has been essential for survival. We earn bread by the "sweat of thy brow." There was one exception when the children of Israel journeyed to the Promised Land. Bread from heaven was provided in the morning, and meat in the evening. But even then, the principle of provision through labor applied. The Hebrews had to rise early, and each person had to "gather according to their eating." The day before the Sabbath, they had to gather twice as much to supply their needs while they rested. The day of rest gave the Israelites uninterrupted time to reflect on all the blessings of the Lord. They would think about His goodness, His provision, His will, His promises, and the blessings that awaited them if they followed and obeyed Him. Probably, they would also consider their past and their deliverance. Rest rejuvenates the spirit and soul as well as the body.
But rest is also vital for animals and the land itself. Nutrients are replenished when land is left undisturbed for a year. Different plants contribute different elements to rejuvenate the soil. Trees absorb carbon from the air. Legumes add a specific type of material through their broad leaves, and other plants supply different nutrients to restore the earth. When left untouched for those twelve months, what is necessary to produce fruitful seasons again is restored to the land. The crops that grow naturally also support the needs of poor and destitute people.
In our current time, the land is constantly being worn out by planting and harvesting from the same spot repeatedly. The use of fertilizer releases essential nutrients from the ground to produce a harvest. Each year, the earth is drained without being renewed. Eventually, the land will reach a point where it can no longer produce anything. The purpose of legally enforced rest was to remind men and women of who God is and what He has done for them, as well as to restore strength for people, animals, and the earth itself. The foreshadowing of Israel's future also serves as a lesson in considering that "there is a rest for the people of God."
The purpose of giving the law was also to ensure God's people did not chase after the false gods of Egypt or of the land they were about to enter. They were to avoid speaking about them, considering them, or trying to satisfy their curiosity about why others found those gods appealing. We will not gain any spiritual benefit or become better equipped to share the Gospel by learning what false cults and religions teach and practice. It is far more beneficial for us to understand what the Scriptures teach so we can focus on presenting what is true and positive, rather than merely opposing what is false or trying to win an argument. It’s possible to win an argument and still lose the chance to truly reach the humiliated person.