God's Rest

Chapter 3 Review

Hebrews 4:1–10 (ESV)

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Discussion Questions

What do you think ‘God’s rest is’? Is it a place, time? Permanent or temporary?

How can you be in God’s rest?

Does the promise still remain of entering His rest?

What similarities are there between us and the Israelites in the wilderness?

Why did God rest after creating the world in 6 days?

Why could the Israelites not enter the “rest” offered to them? What is the warning for us?

A Promise of Rest Remains Hebrews 4:1

Hebrews 4:1 ESV

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

What is the “therefore” there for?

This introductory verse sums up the argument from 3:7-19.

In this last passage of chapter 3 we saw the result of he rebellious people in the wilderness who did not obey God or believe his promises

They came short of God’s rest and instead hardened their hearts and provoked Him repeatedly

God records history in the Bible so that we are able to learn from the mistakes of others and don’t repeat the same sin

This why the author stated in chapter 2 “we must pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away”. He wants us to not only pay attention to the message of Jesus but to also pay attention to the example of the Israelites in the wilderness.

He is instructing the audience in the beginning of chapter 4 to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and do the opposite of what they did

The Promise Stands

The writer of Hebrews tells his audience that the purposes of God are not frustrated because generation from the exodus disobeyed him and failed to enter the rest he had promised his people

This promise still remains

If this generation did not enter God’s rest, then some else will, Christians

This does not mean that we should be complacent

If the Israelites, with their advantages, failed to enter the rest, Christians ought not to think there will be automatic acceptance for them

We must take care so that we, too, fail to enter the blessing

God had promised “rest” and that meant more than a physical entry into the promised land

The First Step is to Fear God

We are told in Proverbs that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Consequently, we should respect God

At the same time we should fear the results of willful rebellion against Him and a willful rejection of the Gospel

He is not implying that we should go through our life with a constant fear of losing our salvation

He is not saying that we should have a lifestyle of fear

Instead, he is saying that what we should fear is IF we fall short of God’s rest

The point here is the Christian share in the deeper meanings of the Old Testament promises of rest.

Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

So if our deeds were the basis of either reaching or falling short of this rest we would all fall short

Our own deeds are not the basis for entering into God’s rest

We must believe if we want to enter Hebrews 4:2-3

Hebrews 4:2–3 (ESV)

2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

The writer tells his audience that the basis of entering this rest is faith

He emphasizes that knowledge and hearing are not enough; the message must be acted on in faith

Looking at the Israelites in the wilderness they had been given God’s message by Moses

He spoke to them regularly about the things of God

God gave them the Law and many divine revelations through Moses

He did miracles for them to observe

The knowledge he received from God, he passed on to the Israelite people

The writer points out that this knowledge did not profit them because it was not acted on by faith

They were told that they would be given the promised land

If they had only believed it they would have obeyed and gone in to take possession of the land

Knowledge of the gospel without faith, is useless

The readers of Hebrews knew a lot about Christ, but some were probably on the fence as to whether to believe it or not

Faith in God, expressed in obedient response to His voice, is the critical principle which sums up the lifestyle expected of God’s children

The writer of Hebrews wants his audience to understand this and what was required of them

Verse 3 begins with “We who have believed” and once more stresses the necessity of faith

For it is believers who enter God’s rest and they do so through a right relationship to God, with an attitude of trust

What does this rest refer to?

Well for the Israelites in the wilderness, it meant a physical, real, tangible rest in the Promised Land where they could have peace from their enemies

However, God did not promise that land to every believer, so I would argue that this is not the rest referred to which we as believers can enter

In the Old Testament, the term used for “rest” in connection with Israel’s possession of the land, is paralleled with the word for inheritance

In Deut. 3:18-20; 12:9-11, Moses shows that for Israel their rest was their inheritance

Therefore, in the same way we can suppose that the term “rest” for the writer was a functional equivalent for a Christian’s inheritance

The writer has already affirmed in 1:14 that Christians are “heirs” of the Messiah’s kingdom and as His “partners” we share in it

MacArthur says, “The spiritual rest which God gives is not something incomplete or unfinished. It is a rest which is based upon a finished work which God purposed in eternity past, just like the rest which God took after He finished creation.”

This rest is a finished work which God has completed Hebrews 4:4-5

Hebrews 4:4–5 (ESV)

4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”

In these two verses, the author links God’s Sabbath-rest at the time of Creation with the rest that the Israelites missed in the desert

God rested when He finished His creative activity

The rest that God took after creation was certainly not needed

He was not tired from His work

Instead, it showed the fact that He had completed the job

Through resting He established a precedent for us that after the job is completed we can also have a rest like He did

God set a model for us to follow, that after work was done, there should be rest

We cannot enter our permanent rest with Christ until our work here on earth is done

Ephesians 2:10 says that God has prepared good works for us to do

We should desire to finish all that He wants us to accomplish here on earth

This invitation is still open Hebrews 4:6-10

Hebrews 4:6–10 (ESV)

6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

The writer is letting his readers, and us, know that there is still a chance

The door is still open to enter God’s rest

Some in the past have failed to enter this narrow gate because of disobedience

He here ascribes Psalm 95 to David so we have our answer as to who wrote it

David quoted this passage as an invitation to the people at that time that “today”, they could still accept the invitation

Verse 9 tells us that this invitation is still open and there still remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God

The account presented is not so much of a law or rule denying them entrance as that they shut themselves out by disobedience and unbelief

The big picture that the author is trying to present to his audience is:

There is a rest

Those who believe can enter the rest

Believe now so that you don’t miss it

There are many places throughout Scripture in which God offers an invitation to repent and turn to Him

In Matthew 4:17, Jesus told the people “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

The message of salvation is a simple, urgent request, but one day there will be no more opportunity

God’s Living Voice

Hebrews 4:11–16 (ESV)

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Discussion Questions

What is the author’s conclusion about how we can apply all the information in the previous passage? What should we do?

What can we do to make sure we enter that rest? So is it works oriented?

What does it mean that God’s Word is living and active?

In what way is His Word like a sword?

How can we use it like a weapon?

What does the second part of verse 12 mean?

What character quality of God’s is revealed in verse 13?

Be diligent to enter the rest Hebrews 4:11

Hebrews 4:11 ESV

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

This verse seems to introduce another exhortation from the writer

The exhortation is based on the penetrating power of the Word of God

Within verse 11, he presents the key application for us on the theme of entering God’s rest, which he started back in 3:7

He reminded us that the good news was preached to the Israelites in the wilderness and they hardened their hearts and provoked God

The good news preached to the Israelites was a promised rest

The promise given them included three things:

deliverance - from Egypt

preservation - in the wilderness

rest - in Canaan

They were deliverance was accomplished by the blood of the paschal lamb, which protected them from the sword of the destroying angel

From this point on they were to commit themselves to the Divine guidance and protection

At the end of their sojourning in the wilderness, they were to enter into Canaan

It is there that they would serve and enjoy God

It is this same good news that is preached to us and we have seen that we have the same opportunity to enter into God’s rest and receive eternal life

The promise we receive is to be delivered from the bonds of sin and Satan, death and hell

Christ is our Passover Lamb, sacrificed for us

Our redemption is through His blood

Our preservation is from Christ as we look to Him for daily supplies of His Spirit, to renew and sanctify us, and to refresh and comfort us

For our rest, we are to look forward with high expectations and assured confidence to our inheritance

God’s Word is Living and Active Hebrews 4:12-13

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The Gospel message has not yet produced what it is destine to accomplish

The writer wants his audience to understand that the Gospel itself is not destitute of power: it is “the rod of God’s strength:” it is “quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword:” it is “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong-holds of sin and Satan:” it is the power of God unto salvation to all who truly believe

What is meant is that there is nothing so hidden, which the Word of God cannot detect; nothing so blended, which it cannot discriminate

The Word of God is living and active

Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God’s sight

Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account

If we fail to see ourselves as Jesus’ brothers, and to understand the thought of Hebrews 3 and 4, this passage may seem frightening

The very thought of God examining our lives, to highlight each hidden fault

But this is not the point

From v. 12 we see the power of God’s Word and its ability to change our lives

It penetrates people’s hearts and it has the power to transform lives for eternity

In v. 13 point to the origin of the Bible as coming from God, and the power of God prevailing in it

The character of God presented here is that God judges in His Word:

in order to save

the whole world

not merely the walk, but also the heart

We must strive to earnestly enter into the Rest of God by:

our heart being directed to the attainment of the Rest of God

our heart being directed in accordance with the Word of God

our heart having a living consciousness of its responsibility to God

The power of the Word comes from God who has created both the Word and the human soul

Christ is our Perfect High Priest Hebrews 4:14-16

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In the Old Testament the high priest was the man appointed to represent the people before God

He dealt with sins and weaknesses by offering the necessary sacrifices for sins

He was the link between God and man, but this Old Testament priest was not enough

Hebrews 4:14 tells us that in Jesus “we have a great High Priest”

Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth as a man so that He would be able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses

Christ understands what we are facing and He has victory over the temptations

We are free to approach the throne of grace with confidence

Jesus being both God and man, provides the adequate link between us and the Father

When we hear the voice of God calling us to act, but feel inadequate, we can turn to Jesus as High Priest and realize all that He is able to do for us