Rest & Sabbath
Rest is an important part of following Jesus. Rest for your soul & rest for your body. True rest is only found in Jesus & abiding in Him by yielding to the Holy Spirit (Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:9-10). God gives a few practical ways for us to rest: a Sabbath Day, a Sabbatical Year, & Sleep. For each of these it is important to remember that we should not be strict or unwilling to do good during times of rest (Matthew 12:12, Mark 2:27).
Sabbath Day
The Sabbath originates from when God was creating the universe and everything in it. He worked for 6 days and on the 7th day He rested. God placed the Sabbath as a day of rest for people and made it Holy. Followers of Jesus observe the Sabbath, which although traditionally by the Israelites from Friday evening to Saturday evening, can be taken any day of the week. Even when working it is still out of a place of rest! (Genesis 2:2-3, Leviticus 23:3, Mark 2:27, Hebrews 4:8-11, Romans 14:5).
Sabbatical Year
A sabbatical year’s main purpose is to do something different from what you mainly do with your time & to give rest to the earth.
Rest for the land & for animals. In essence to let creation run its course undisturbed. At the time this would mean a change from the main task/occupation for people (Exodus 23:10-11, Leviticus 25:4)
Release of slaves & debts. This would be a change in occupation & a release from the pressure to work & pay back what is owed (Deuteronomy 15:1,12)