The God of Sleep
That night, sleep deserted the king, and he ordered the book of records, the annals, to be brought; and it was read to the king. Esther 6:1 JPS
Deserted – The story of Esther is much more like our experiences of life than the chronicles of Acts. In Esther, life appears to be made up of serendipitous accidents, fate and bad behavior. In Acts the presence of the Spirit is so tangible that people die for lying. Perhaps that’s why our world is so much closer to the perspective of Babylon than Jerusalem. We occupy a land characterized by the absence of God.
Of course, our failure to see Him doesn’t mean He isn’t there. It only means that our lives are so preoccupied with the mundane, the trivially important, the necessary irrelevancies that we never consider a paradigm where God is actively engaged in every moment of our personal stories. We go to church and attempt to invoke His presence rather than realizing His immanence. Esther’s story is our story.
The king found that he could not sleep. What reasons might he have given? Too much wine? Too many advisors? Too many wives? It’s no wonder poor Ahasuerus couldn’t sleep. Ah, but what the story doesn’t say (in fact, it almost never says) is that YHWH is active in all of this. He is the one who causes sleep to run to the desert. He is the one who brings about Haman’s ignoble desire. He is the one who prompts Esther’s courage. He is the one who produces the misperception of the king at the dinner party. God is always there. You just don’t see Him. In fact, you can’t see Him unless you know how to look.
We could rewrite this verse in contemporary terms. “That night, sleep deserted you and me.” The Hebrew is nadeda sh’nat. Sleep (shana’) flees, escapes, wanders away (nadad). This is the equivalent of a Hebrew oxymoron. Sleep is described by a verb that is essentially about moving away. The last thing we expect when we sleep is to move away in some direction. We want to stay put. We want to cease moving. We want to rest. Perhaps that’s why Ahasuerus asked for a boring book like the annals. Counting sheep in Persian. Ah, but God was behind that choice too, wasn’t He? The man wanted rest. God wanted action. And God is the God of sleep. You and I aren’t going to get any when God has something for us to do.
God kept the king awake. The welfare of the nation of Israel depended on that restless night. We, on the other hand, are asleep most of the time. The welfare of the Kingdom depends on us and we read ourselves to stupor. Perhaps, if we were really sensitive to the invisible hand of God, we would realize that sleeplessness in Babylon is a sure sign of His presence. Can’t sleep. Count it all joy that He is calling you to recognize His purposes.
Topical Index: sleep, shana’, flee, depart, nadad, Esther 6:1
Thanks Skip. I needed that.
The perfect message after waking up at 11:00, 2:00 and finally getting up at 4:00 this morning.
Your sleep schedule sounds quite similar to mine. However, the day of and since my Father’s death, I have slept quite well. That bell wasn’t ringing, I suppose. Regardless, I am sleeping much, much better these days.
But, I still think I’ve been missing much from Yeshua during those sleepless nights worrying about getting back to sleep rather than listening and being attentive to something he might be wanting me to hear and act on.
I will endeavor to take a more open approach during that waking moments in the night.
Is God really unnoticable?
Or is He everywhere to be seen?
“God is before all things, and in Him all things
consist.” Col 1:17
It’s a heart issue.
“Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.” Mat 5:8
Let’s sleep on that.
🙂
Lets!
Life, (the one we now live) is basically a tri-unity (or trinity) of these three: labor or exercise, (we are meant for movement) food or nourishment, (gotta have those calories! -good ones) and rest or sleep. These three may be expressed in various forms, but here is the life of the creature: (in its physical form) – diet, exercise and rest!
I’ve had some fun with this “tri-unity,”- I have asked the “experts” (my trainers) at the local gym, and have even given the first two as clues, “diet, exercise and?……. but very few (especially among the “young and the restless?” have mentioned “sleep” as the third “necessity” of life!
Unknown to many, but as obvious as a twenty-four hour day- we spend up to one third of our lives- “resting.” We (the tired ones?) NEED a restful night’s sleep. This thought, -fresh in my mind this morning, causes me to immediately rejoice and to say “thank you LORD, for a “good night’s sleep!” Friends, I slept well (even) last night.. slept like a baby (log). Zzzz.
What do the scriptures say about rest (physical) rest or sleep? And just how “necessary” is this rest? — (very). Oh!, – so much to say!
But I found this and for now.. this will suffice.. to allow another to speak and to speak well of a “rest that remains” for His beloved..
The Sleep
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–61)
Of all the thoughts of God that are
Borne inward into souls afar,
Along the Psalmist’s music deep,
Now tell me if that any is
For gift or grace surpassing this—
“He giveth His beloved, sleep”?
What would we give to our beloved?
The hero’s heart to be unmoved,
The poet’s star-tun’d harp to sweep,
The patriot’s voice to teach and rouse,
The monarch’s crown to light the brows?—
He giveth His beloved, sleep.
What do we give to our beloved?
A little faith all undisproved,
A little dust to overweep,
And bitter memories to make
The whole earth blasted for our sake:
He giveth His beloved, sleep.
“Sleep soft, beloved!” we sometimes say
Who have no tune to charm away
Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep:
But never doleful dream again
Shall break the happy slumber when
He giveth His beloved, sleep.
O earth, so full of dreary noises!
O men, with wailing in your voices!
O delved gold, the wailers heap!
O strife, O curse, that o’er it fall!
God strikes a silence through you all,
And giveth His beloved, sleep.
His dews drop mutely on the hill,
His cloud above it saileth still,
Though on its slope men sow and reap:
More softly than the dew is shed,
Or cloud is floated overhead,
He giveth His beloved, sleep.
Ay, men may wonder while they scan
A living, thinking, feeling man
Confirm’d in such a rest to keep;
But angels say, and through the word
I think their happy smile is heard—
“He giveth His beloved, sleep.”
For me, my heart that erst did go
Most like a tired child at a show,
That sees through tears the mummers leap,
Would now its wearied vision close,
Would childlike on His love repose
Who giveth His beloved, sleep.
And friends, dear friends, when it shall be
That this low breath is gone from me,
And round my bier ye come to weep,
Let One, most loving of you all,
Say, “Not a tear must o’er her fall!
He giveth His beloved, sleep.”
(Psalm 127.2) ~ He giveth His beloved, sleep. ~
And we have not even considered tHis greater invitation: ~ Come unto Me,- all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..~
Nor this: ~ there is a rest that remains to the people of God.. ~
Nor this: ~ Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light ~
“In fact, you can’t see Him unless you know how to look.”
I think I’ll also been endeavoring to learn how to look closer for Yeshua in
my daily movement. I sense I missed a lot of Yeshua’s presence during
my Dad’s death spiral by focusing on my needs rather than my Dad’s in
many ways. I had several hard discussions and arguments with Yeshua
during the ordeal. I’m comforted that he can take it all and that he
can still extend chesed in spite of my feeble efforts.
I think the most weightiest lesson was the stark visual of how wretched and
horrible death is. Translating that to walking in Torah, I am in a wretched and
horrible way when I step outside of the freedom of Torah.
It has, in a significant way, helped create a real and healthy fear of allowing
stuff that is anti-Torah in my life. Images of the pitiful experience of my Dad’s death
immediately come to mind.
I have a choice of life or death today. Today, I choose life! That I may see Yeshua in
the hidden places to choose life all day today is my prayer of action. I’ll be looking.
My Dear Friend,
I was surprised to read that your dad died. Had you posted that somewhere on here earlier? My prayers of huge spiritual growth, healing, good sleep, energy and a sharp mind for the LORD will continue for you.
Gentle Man, I totally understand that statement, “How wretched and horrible death is.” I was a home health nurse for “end stage” patients, those whose very last breaths were spent with me working to comfort them/awaken them to YHVH (for those who didn’t know Him.) For those who never came to humility and repentance, their deaths were beyond BLACK/void/cold/frightening= CHOSHEK in my opinion. (Strong’s Concordance reads: חשׁך; chôshek; kho-shek’; From H2821; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness: – dark (-ness), night, obscurity.)
However, for those who served God and were on their way HOME (into His Arms!), their physical bodies giving up just brought them closer to their Maker. Some of the most holy times I’ve ever known were in the presence of “delirious” servants of God as they feebly hummed/even sang songs of worship during those last days/hours. (I think of Stephen at his stoning: Acts: 7:55-56.)
Shalom, my Friend, for you and your wife.
Thank you very much.
Shalom
Hi Michael, I also pray the God of comfort and Peace to you.
As you must be struggling with the up and down emotions that always come after such times, I’ll try to be brief. 🙂 I just wanted to encourage you with some of the things I’ve been learning in my walk as well. Often as of late I’ve felt like a one armed man in a two armed occupation called life. (maybe 5 or 6 armed) I can’t help but wonder what the LORD is trying to teach me through some or most of it and although there are many things, I sense (in my walk) that oftentimes it comes down to teaching me to cherish the time I get with the One who loves me. Doors open and close all the time, I previously had the mcdonalds attitude concerning them. If I passed it up, no worries, there’s another one somewhere down the street. The Kingdom doesn’t seem to work that way, if you pass it up, (often) it’s unavailable after that. I’m learning, but it’s taking precious time.
Some time ago, the neighbor down the street was working the same shift as I was and volunteered that we ride together. I thought it was about saving gas. 🙁 sometimes I availed myself of the opportunity while other times I deemed it more important to drive myself because I had “other” things to do after work. This man had been a minister of sorts in one of the prevalent Christian charity organizations for a number of years and had gotten a really bad taste in his mouth because of all the “politics” involved in what was supposed to be a ministry. When we did ride together we spoke of things of faith and scripture and it was for the most part a very fruitful time. Eventually, his shift changed and the door closed. As I see him often struggling at work with extremely difficult situations, I often wish I had taken the time to dig a little deeper with him, not only in the Word, but relationally as well. Perhaps God will remedy that or perhaps not. It taught me however to look at things a bit differently and to begin to not take such things for granted. Opportunities have both immense and eternal implications.
Shalom to you Brother, I’ll keep you in my prayers, as I’m sure many others will as well.
YHWH bless you and keep you………
Amein!
True, when we step out of Torah ways, we see death at its most wretchedness, and its most horrifying aspect of losing our way, grappling in darkness. So thankful that we are back to Torah ways, and His light is on our paths!
We are blessed. Shalom to you.
Michael C.,
I have to concur with Ya’akov that the length of our lives is “like a vapor.” Taking intensive care of and dealing with an ailing parent would bring a certain perspective to this verse, I’m sure. I have not dealt with an ailing parent, but I have walked through the valley of death with my first wife. Just a few days ago was her 9th anniversary of going to sleep . . . waiting to be awakened on that day! Grief and sorrow are unusual creatures which must be handled with compassion and wisdom, allowing their place, but at the same time they do not need to dictate who Messiah is and who we are in Him. Praying for you in this season, my wise and beautiful brother.
YHWH is King!
Brian, Michael C., Suzanne, Daria, all who read this blog: Yes, Brian, I think you came to Skip;s web site about the time or soon after your wife departed this world, leaving you and a young daughter, my heart so went out to you then, and I always look to see if your share something with us. I am a very long time member on this, but I have not been able to share as often as I have read the past two years, as my husband, Edward of sixty-one years -lacking one month, too departed this earthly body and entered into his spiritual one. it has been 9 months Feb.02. I give the God THANKS REGULARLY THAT HE ALLOWED ME TO WELL, YES, IN MY OCTOGENARIAN YEARS, I WORKED AROUND THE CLOCK, DROVE HIM OFTEN TO THE ER, ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY, KEPT BOTH OF OUR CLOTHES FOR ALL SEASONS IN OUR PICKUP ( YES, a lot of Texans drive those vehcicles). ( but we needed one here in our rural Central TX area, for we hauled everything around in it for the ministry that we chose to do helping people ( often the military families 35 miles from our home). I am a short, small lady and most people get a laugh with me getting in and out of a regular size “truck”. Our son, came in Sat. from Wallops NASA Base on the VA Island where he has been working off & on for a year now. It is so frigid in temps now, that our 18 degree nights seemed warm to him. He flew to Austin on his way home to Tucson, usually he would rent a car and drive the couple of hours over to our home, but he was ill this time, and asked his sister who live closer to the Austin airport, to please come and get him and stay the few days with us to plan a special PRIVATE Memorial in March for their dad, my husband. She did.
So with three of our 28 immediate family counting the spouses and 7 greats ( all very young) we shared our sorrows, our great fun times with Edward S. ( DAD), and pulled many objects out of his. A lot have gone to the homes of all of them!. The daughter who came, has an Organic Farm and Sheep, chickens, veggies of both summer and now winter items. Brought some of all here to eat. Then as she got her brother back to the airport and on his way to Denver, and then Tucson with long delays and travel time, she got home and sent me an e and said in our extremely cold windy weather, she got in her DAD”S golf cart and went to tend to all the large FARMER IN DALE. AND IT HELPED HER TO DO IT SO MUCH FASTER THAN WALK! Yes when Edward saw that his life would soon end, he wanted her and their family to have his golf cart. I tried to talk him out of it, as none of them golf, and her husband has a business in the city and DOES NOT LIKE CLUTTER ON THE FARM. BUT Ed would not stop trying to get them to come and get it , until they did.
They took pictures of loading it on a flatbed trailer to a REAL authentic TRUCK, that she drives like a pro. You see Ed was back in the ICU waiting for a blood clot surgery that had formed under an intraveinous pump that had been put into his heart that was on a monitored computerized pouch that the two of us were responsible to keep going. The entire thing was outrageous as Ed & I are not into the Computer AGE.
ARE WE TALKING IN THIS ARTICLE ABOUT SLEEP? ONLY A MIRACLOUS HEAVENLY FATHER COULD HAVE GIVEN ME REST, SLEEP–WHEREVER I WAS (-seldom in my bed) ( EXCEPT AT THE WHEEL WHEN DRIVING) TRULY, I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT GLORIOUS HIS WAYS HAVE BEEN TO ME AND ALL THE CHILDREN, AS THEY TRIED TO KEEP THEIR JOBS, ALL PROFESSIONAL ADULTS LIVING ACROSS THE NATION. — DEATH IS SO FINAL! But all that goes with it as we experience it with our loved ones, friends, our own illnesses, brings us to reality of “seeking with all our hearts and souls and minds the Holy One of Israel. He has promised if WE KEEP ON DOING THAT, HE WILL REWARD US!. AS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY WE ARE BEING SO REWARDED IN GREAT SPIRITUAL WAYS: PEACE, HOPE, JOY, UNSPEAKABLE JOY IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS, AND YES, SLEEP. I GIVE THANKS WHEN I AWAKEN DURING THOSE HOURS OF THE NIGHT, REMEMBER OTHERS IN PRAYER, AND STATE TO THE HEAVENLY FATHER, HOW I APPRECIATE BEING RESTFUL EVEN WITH LITTLE SLEEP. THEN LATER WHEN I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, I QUIETLY CLOSE MY EYES AND REST A LITTLE MORE!.
WE WILL ALL CROSS OVER THAT BAR, AND OTHERS AS ELIZABETH B. BROWNING STATES WILL WEEP OVER US, BUT, BUT== YES, SHE GAVE THE BUTS IN THAT POEM, CARL. ( DO YOU RECALL SHE WAS AN INVALID MOST OF HER LIFE, WITH A FATHER THAT TREATED HER VERY BADLY. HE DISOWING HER WHEN SHE MARRIED A GODLY MAN, ROBERT BROWNING). GOOD NIGHT AND SLEEP GODLY! WITH THE LOVE OF OUR LORD JESUS. L.B.
Thank you greatly, Robert and Brian.
Your words are received well. I am grateful for your prayers
and wisdom.
Shalom
And, again, thank you Skip for bringing all these loving followers of the Way in to my life. Much gratitude to you.
Hi Michael – I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is never easy, even when the care has been taxing. You have my deepest condolences.
At the same time, I give a hearty AMEN to your sentiment about this community. It is truly a Godsend. Really — I would not have imagined how I look forward to all of your voices as we discuss the Word. I see names posting and I find myself thinking we are “old friends” though I’ve met none of you face-to-face. I add my thanks to Skip and to all of you.
My wife and I are planning on attending the quarterly meeting in Virginia Beach on Feb 6-8. I am hoping to get to
meet some of the TW group that might possible attend. What’s better than joining friends and learning more
about Yeshua?
Again, thanks to all for your encouraging comments. They are valued, be assured.
My husband Brian and I are also planning on VA Beach — though we’re a bit worried about the weather as we fly cross country to DFW then ORF. We’re leaving Sunday to spend a few days first with our oldest son and his family in NC. Then back up to VA Beach for Thursday – Saturday. We’d love to connect with you and your wife for a meal (and anyone else who makes it).
Hope the weather cooperates for travel and sends some of your excess rain and snow back to the west coast. We’re in 70 degree drought weather here in central CA – beautiful days but this our “rainy” season and so far no rain since a sprinkling on Dec 3rd. We get half of our annual 12 inches between Dec and Feb. Even the pagans are starting to worry. 🙂
We’ve been watching “The Tudors” series via DVD. Going to Virginia Beach reminds me of the
‘radical’ Luther and all the stuff he stirred up with the Catholic church back in the 16th century.
We’ll be in the midst of some radical stuff. I love it!
It is truly amazing how YHWH orchestrates every step of our lives even when we are unaware of it.
Only upon looking back do we realize it has been YHWH Who has been ordering our paths. But in
those times as we go through those difficult circumstances, we struggle having no understanding how
those events would end up.
And usually they do end up well, as a light appearing at the end of the tunnel.
So then we learn on our faith journey, as we progress along to trust YHWH and to rest in Him in the midst of problems, that HE is in charge,
so long as we abide by His commandments, living and acting the way we ought to live as Mordechai did, receiving the good end, whereas
Haman was acting to his own conceit receiving the end due to him.
Shalom!