Rest is a new word of promise. It is sometimes used in the Bible to speak of divine deliverance (Psalm 116:7; Psalm 23:2; Jeremiah 45:3; Job 3:13, Job 3:26; Exodus 33:14). Isaiah uses rest to apply to the life that God desired for his people (Isaiah 28:12), and also in eschatological terms (Isaiah 14:3, Isaiah 14:7; Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 32:18). Deuteronomy uses the term rest in relation to war and enemies (Deuteronomy 3:20, Joshua 21:44, Joshua 22:4, Joshua 23:1). The connecting of rest with salvation history is also found elsewhere in the Bible (Psalm 95:11; Isaiah 63:14; 1 Chronicles 22:9, 1 Chronicles 22:18; 1 Chronicles 23:25; 2 Chronicles 14:5; 2 Chronicles 15:15; 2 Chronicles 20:30; Nehemiah 9:28). Whatever stage Israel finds herself in, rest is a term with concrete content. It represents freedom from enemy oppression and deadly war.1 The Lord who fights Israel’s battles secures their rest (Joshua 21:44, Joshua 23:1).
13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’