Hebrews 4
July 1
Reading: Hebrews 4
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.
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.
In Hebrews we are learning that Christ is so great and His sovereignty so magnificent that we need to be careful to listen and obey what He says.
Hebrews 4:1-11 builds on the warning of chapter 3. It begins and ends with the same idea. You see it in verses 1 and 11 that form an inclusio around the Scriptural support for the warning. Be fearful. Be diligent to obey the Lord (in contrast to Old Testament Israel who disobeyed) lest you fall and fail to enter into the rest that God has promised to you.
Again, the author quotes from Psalm 95:11 (in Hebrews 4:3 and 4:5 as in Hebrews 3:11). In verse 7 we find a quotation from Psalm 95:7-8 for the third time (after Hebrews 3:7-8 and 3:15). You cannot miss the repeated emphasis. This is serious business!
You see? The Lord has made a promise; “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” (vss. 6, 9-10) God rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath. He wants us to join Him in that rest. After you live life in Jesus Christ, your sins paid for, following His path and plan for your life; then you will enter your rest with the Lord, at peace, forever with Jesus Christ. But if you are like those people in ancient Israel who did not obey the Lord, you will not enter into the rest promised.
How do you know if you are on the right path with the Lord? Verses 12-13 tell you. The Word of God cuts into your heart and reveals your thoughts and intentions, your very soul and spirit. You stay in the Word of God and that Word keeps you on the path to the promise of God.
But we do not have to do all this alone; we are not able to do it alone. Verses 14-16 take us back to the end of chapter 2 and the assurance of the help of our Great High Priest who was made lower than the angels (2:9) and now has passed through the heavens. (4:14) He comes to our aid (2:18) giving mercy and grace in our time of need. (4:16)