Rest Assured: What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal about Trusting God

by Rachel Booth Smith

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

[full review here:https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/re...}

Because you have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee. (Augustine of Hippo)

Our hearts are restless—can you relate?

Whether it's fear, a desire for control, or ceaseless striving, we often find ourselves unable to rest, keeping both our thoughts and bodies in constant motion. Sometimes life is just busy, but if we look deeper, is that really all it is?

For me, sometimes I forget to trust the Lord with my circumstances, and other times I wrestle with perfectionism. When I notice the angst rising in my soul, it’s my cue to pause and prayerfully wander with the Lord in reflection.

So, how does creation speak into the restlessness we feel?

This was one of my questions as I picked up, Rest Assured:What the Creation Story Was Intended to Reveal About Trusting God. What we discover is that God's goodness and involvement in creation provide us with a firm foundation for rest and assurance in our daily lives.

Check out more about the book on the blog.

*Thanks to Moody Publishers for the e-copy of the book and the opportunity to post an honest review!

[Chris Gisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What sets Genesis apart from other creation stories? What can we learn about God from the creation account? Is it primarily about evolution vs. creation? How does the way God revealed himself to the ancient Israelites impact us? What does Genesis have to say to us when we read it from the eyes of the diverse Ancient Near East cultures?

Booth Smith covers all of these questions and more in this thoughtful approach to the creation story in Genesis. I love how she wove together historical and cultural scholarship and context with heartfelt, personal application. It's not easy to balance both of those things well but she did! I learned a lot about Ancient Near East gods and culture but I literally had highlights in every chapter of reflections that struck me and applied to my daily life.

I was especially helped in seeing the way God is contrasted with the gods of the ANE creation stories. The God revealed in Genesis was one of provision, flourishing, rest, and beauty.

I also appreciated the thoughtful discussion questions in the back!

[Jenai Auman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel brings the wisdom of her education into the ministry of her writing in Rest Assured. Her words invite you into rest, reminding you to trust that the Creator God is always at work restoring the disorder around us. And she encourages us: It is from a place of rest that Christians can extend the message of the gospel in gentle and compassionate ways.

While in a seminary class covering the creation account and biblical worldview, I stopped and asked my professor if there were folks writing books for Christians who do not have access to formal theological education. At the time he said he wasn’t sure of others, apart from himself. In Rest Assured, Rachel Booth Smith has done a beautiful job in bringing ancient truths to modern and post-modern eyes. (And it was fun too see her briefly reference my seminary prof, Dr. J. Richard Middleton, in her book, too.)

Well done, Rachel.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Smith guides her readers through Ancient Near Eastern culture and literature to bring Genesis 1 to life for the 21st century reader, answering questions that may have bothered you and bringing to light a beauty and depth you never knew was hidden in this amazing chapter. She clearly explains the various ways that Genesis 1 adopts and adapts creation myth stories from the ancient Israelites' contemporaries to demonstrate the unique and awesome attributes of God, his creation, and our role as his representatives. We learn what this story meant to the ancient Israelites and why it matters for us today. I particularly appreciated the chapter on restoration, which warmly invites the reader into the holistic mission of God's people, bringing our attention to the responsibility and joy that exists for "restoration officers" in partnership with God. This book is an excellent choice for those who want to dig deeper into Scripture and better understand the nuances that escape our 21st century eyes, thanks to an author who has done the scholarly research and who delivers the information in an approachable and applicable way.

TLDR: This book helps readers understand Genesis 1 from an ancient Near Eastern perspective (the original listeners to the story!) so we can better learn about God, his creation, and our role.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cool book. I think it could have flowed a bit better, but I really enjoyed the content. I haven’t really dug in the creation stories of other people groups (e.g Babylonians, Egyptians) during the Israelite/First Temple period, so it was cool to have those compared and contrasted to Genesis.

favorite quotes:
pg. 84 “Israelites were not great about avoiding worshiping their neighbors' gods, and the sun god was no exception. It was such a problem for Israel that God made an explicit command that they shouldn't worship the sun”
pg. 100 “It’s silly sometimes to realize I’m worrying as I take a long walk, breathing in the in air perfectly designed for my lungs. God has already provided abundantly, and His regular and dependable provision slips into my mental background.”
pg. 104-105 “We have lots of different things to consider in our relationships at home and work, essential distinctions like boundaries and safety and wisdom. There may be significant lines in the sand we draw inside our spheres, but be sure not to slip into a value judgement on the person we are protecting ourselves from. They are made in the image of God, just as we are.
pg. 123 “But Genesis 1-2:3 teaches that we have no need to wonder if God will ever lose because there is no battle for God's throne. There is no divine conflict. Never has been and never will be; praise God.”
pg. 131 “Her circumstances never dictated her worshipful posture toward God.”
pg. 150 “Oh, I pray God saves me from my errant guardial eypicaly don't recognize them until I get to the spot where I would rather others sit in their pain than have my guardrail endure a painful crash. But when Jesus presents me with a choice-restoration or rules -I pray I can't help but fall on my knees with gratitude that God is more gracious than I am. I hope to have the courageto choose restoration for myself and others every time.”

[Leslie McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Rachel Booth Smith is an undercover academic. 🤓 She tackles the Genesis account of creation from the cultural context of its original ancient Near East audience, weaving theology, archaeology, and language studies in such an engaging and relatable way you forget how dang smart she is. With deep reverence for God, Rachel refuses to get caught up in the controversial how of creation, focusing instead on the who and the why. Her words convey a sense of confident maturity, leaving the reader feeling calm and safe like there's a grown-up in the house. Grab a copy today; you'll rest assured, as well.

[Kelley Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

When chaos rules, the creation story reminds us that we can rest in the God who rested. Smith's thorough exploration of the creation story offers us a picture of the God who brings hope, confidence, and rest to those who trust him.

[Eliza Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve noticed that Americans love a particular style of writing….

- Tell you what they’re going to tell you
- Remind you of what they’re going to tell you
- Tell you what’s coming up (but this time in each chapter)
- Use a smattering of quite mundane personal examples of the concept they are talking about, however these really don’t add anything worthwhile to the concepts at hand and in fact often water them down, rather than bolster them up
- Remind you of what they’ve just told you

…and this book is not exempt.

I find this style amusing…but in a sad way, and really tiresome. It seems to be distinctly American and it unfortunately makes me feel as though the author thinks I am stupid. Perhaps they do?

I think this book might be good for someone who has never come across the ideas of ANE cosmologies and why learning about them makes the Genesis 1 story more compelling, however Bible Project’s classroom series on Heaven and Earth does a far better job. Bible Project is more succinct and more captivating, especially when it comes to the use of anecdotes and as a bonus, it’s free.

I haven't finished this yet and I will persist and finish my review once I have, but I thought I’d add my initial thoughts now for anyone considering buying it.

[Jessica Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who are weary and wanting to know God is still good...

I've read lots of books about God; they've all shaped me in one way or another. But when I read "Rest Assured," I experienced the beauty of God in those pages.

I saw creation through the lens of love, delight and intentionality. This was not another book railing *against* evolution (as many creation books lean toward) but it spoke powerfully *about* the God who introduces himself to the world he created. He is good, he wants good for us, and he is continually redeeming all the not-good things we experience.

This is a "new lane" message--different than most in the Christian genre, skipping the rote words and trite phrases that sound comfortable but leave readers empty. Rachel Booth Smith is carving space for the conversations we are so desperate to join, and the beginning is the best place to start.

Let's learn what God is about, not just what he's against. May we all "rest assured" knowing there is still so much beauty to behold.

[Peggy Bodde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel invites us to rethink what we understand about God the Creator and then to go deeper as we look at the cultural context of the Bible and rich theological insights about the Genesis story that may have escaped our attention until now. God revealed Himself in a radical way to Israel, and Rachel helps us go back in time to listen in.

Because I know her, I can speak to Rachel’s giftedness as a teacher and writer, and most of all—her own heart that chooses to trust and rest even when circumstances would push her to do otherwise. She’s a scholar and researcher whose heart and head knowledge came together in this book to offer us all an invitation to trust and rest in the Lord of the Sabbath.

[Kelly Tommerdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is very knowledgeable in her understanding of the Bible within the context of the time period in which it was written and the people to whom it was written. She uses this knowledge to compare and contrast the biblical creation account with other accounts of the time. The conclusions she draws are fascinating and helps the reader see the Creator God Yahweh in a new light, as the one deserving worship. She also delves into the meaning of Sabbath rest, tying together both the Old and New Testaments. Interspersed throughout her relatable yet scholarly writing are personal stories that both engage the reader and bring greater understanding to the concept being described. Thanks to Rachel for sharing her gifts of teaching and writing!

[Amy Lively · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a unique take on the Biblical creation story! "Rest Assured" asks questions I hadn't thought of before, like "What does creation tell me about God?" and "What does rest really mean?" (Spoiler: God did not take a nap on Day 7!) Smith uses modern stories to help readers understand ancient culture without stretching the illustration. Her seminary training and years of teaching experience enable her to make deep theology deeply personal. Smith helps us become a "holy eavesdropper" in the Ancient Near Eastern culture so we can hear hear what they heard. Also loved the discussion questions at the end of the book (great for small groups), charts, and illustrations!

[Jennifer Dahlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looks at the creation account of Genesis from the perspective of the people it was written to (the ancient Israelites). By looking at other ancient Near East creation stories, Smith highlights how God stands out as different. After reading, I find myself challenged to be a good representative of God's character, while also at peace knowing he is on the throne. Truly unlike anything I've read before. While I read it on my own, I think it would make a wonderful study to do as group, especially with the included discussion questions.

[Trevor Atwood]

Live. Laugh. Love version of Dr. Sandra Richter’s Epic of Eden.

Intended audience- people who have never encountered alternate ANE cosmogonies and need an extremely simplified writing style.

I am not the intended audience. Skip and go straight to Epic of Eden unless you enjoy the live, laugh, love genre.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent review and new way to interpret the very beginning of the Bible (Genesis).