Sleep Theology

Some of you out there my have heard me talk about this before, but I thought I would post this for all to see and enjoy.

Anyway, the question is thus: Every design of humans is purposeful for some greater reality; either to display some attribute of God's image, or to further man towards that ultimate end. That being the case, why on earth did God design us to sleep? I mean, Scripture is clear that God does not sleep, and it technically is not a necessity for humans to be designed this way. There are other ways for healing, regeneration (physical), and rest God could have put in man, so why sleep? Well, a whole myriad options exist:

(1) Sleep can act as a Spiritual symbol for salvation.
John Donne has a poem called "death be not proud" where he pretty much expounds on Paul's words: "O Death, where is your sting?" He tries to insult Death by declaring that if pictures of death (such as resting and sleeping) are so pleasurable, how much more so should death itself be? I think he is right in making sleep and death as symbols for each other; Paul does it continuously in the New testament. Anyway, I think it's interesting how our body's ultimate regeneration only occurs while we are asleep. This mirrors our soul's ultimate regeneration only actually occurring while we are spiritual dead. We don't "wake up" first before regeneration happens. It happens to us while there's no way we could bring it upon ourselves.

(2) Sleep is a fruit of trusting in God without anxiety
Psalm 127:2 says: "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." Sleep here is contrasted to anxious working, so truly restful sleep is a gift of love from our Father for those who are willing to receive it and lay down their anxieties. Just like with so many other things, God stands, arms open inviting us into his rest if we would only lay down our arms and trust him. Ahh . . .

(3) To show us that we are not God
Psalm 121:4 says: "He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Humans sleep, God does not, and the world still turns. We need a break where God never does.

(4) To humble the pride of men
This is very akin to the last point, but worth separating, I think. Just think about it: No matter who you are in history- how powerful you are, how wise you are, or how strong you are - you must and will bend your knee and surrender your consciousness to a power greater than your own with no promise of waking up, else you will die.

(5) Sleep makes us deal with God
Sleep also makes us slow down and actually listen to God. Psalm 63:5-6 says: "My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night." In this case, sleep (or trying to get there) leads David to meditate upon God to experience a sweet satisfaction in his longing (see vv. 1-5) for Him. I think this principle also works the other way as well. Ever notice how those with the most troubled consciences (or the most reasons to have one) generally stay up very late? Perhaps this has a spiritual root, where the guilty try to stay up so late so when they go to bed, they will go straight to sleep and can avoid the place God has prepared to meet them and show them who they are in light of who he is. Oh the blessing they miss indeed!

Let us not take this same path of folly many do and avoid the quiet place God has prepared for us to meet him free of anxieties; to bathe in the love and rest of our loving Father with a clear conscience dressed in the warm blanket of Christ's righteousness knowing He is who He says He is and that we are who He says we are - both of which can be our greatest joy and ultimate satisfaction.

Sweet dreams to all,

--paul<><