THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE

TO THE

4:1

This chapter teaches the consequences of unbelief. Although God has promised believers that today they may enter His rest, some fail to experience it due to their unbelief. In Hebrews 3:14-19 we are reminded that even though the Israelites kept the Sabbath, they failed to enter God's "rest" because of "unbelief" (Hebrews 3:18-19). Their "unbelief" consisted of their lack of faith to enter the promise land, and then, in them returning to the desert (Exodus chapters 13-14).

The "promise" here is the encouragement that the door of God's mercy has not closed for us as it did for those who disobeyed and died in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:8, 9; 3:15-19). We are still able to enter God's rest (Hebrews 3:18; Hebrews 4:1), hearken to His voice, and harden not our hearts.

The "rest" spoken about here is not the weekly Sabbath of the Israelites, for they faithfully kept the Sabbath for forty years, still not entering God's "rest."  Thus this "rest" is two fold: first, it is rest from our work to earn our own salvation, to relying upon faith in the finished work of Christ. Secondly, it is the eternal rest from sin that results in joy and peace with God throughout all eternity.

We see here the warning to examine ourselves, and to make certain that we have softened our hearts to enter God's "rest." After showing examples of those who were disobedient and failed to enter God's rest, the writer urges us Christians to be careful lest we also fail through disobedience.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

Each generation, and each person has the same opportunity to hear and to have it profit them. The word "gospel" is the "good news" of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from any good works. Salvation is never by works! The "gospel" message invites us to rest from trying to earn our salvation through works by "resting" through faith in Christ's finished work on our behalf (John 19:30).

The message preached to Israel did not profit them because they did not combine it with faith. Hearing the Gospel is of no value unless we also believe the message. Solely believing the message will not save us unless we combine our belief with an active faith.

This is not shown by our obedience in resting from our physical occupations/works each seventh day as the Israelites did (Hebrews 4:5, 6); rather it is shown by our resting in Jesus Christ for our salvation, and persevering to the end (1 Timothy 4:16; Hebrews 10:36).

"For we which have believed do enter into rest." A person who actively believes the gospel enters God's "rest." That belief is demonstrated by resting from the works of sin (Hebrews 4:9). The entire concept of resting in Christ was illustrated by the Sabbath rest from work. However, even though the Israelites faithfully rested from daily work on the seventh day of every week, their "rest" did not qualify them to enter God's "rest." Sabbath "keeping" is not the gateway to God's rest; only faith in Christ's sacrifice of the cross.

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Here we see that the divine promise of the believer’s ability to enter God’s rest is still available. God wants all to enter into His rest. He compels us to go and search for those who will enter (Luke 14:23). This is not something new, He has always wanted fellowship with mankind (Hebrews 1:1). This was preached way back in the time of Moses. Although all will not enter because of disobedience or unbelief, He still makes it possible for all to enter (Matthew 11:28, 29).

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Anew, He specified a specific day (Psalm 95:7). Just as God set apart the seventh day of the week for the Israelites as their "Sabbath," He has set apart a "certain day" for us as Christians. That "day" is not the seventh day of the week, but rather "today." Each day a Christian is to rest from his works of earning salvation and thus "rest" in the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:8-11). God requires us to tithe 10% of all We have. This does not just mean of our money. God wants His share of our time (Ephesians 5:16), talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and our treasures (1 Corinthians 16:2).

Those brought into Canaan by Joshua ("Jesus" here, as in Acts 7:45) did not actually enter the rest of God. After the death of Moses Joshua became the leader of the Israelites, and led them into the Promise Land. The Israelites were taught even though they had been commanded by Scripture to stand ready for travel while eating the Passover (Exodus 12:11), after entering the Promise Land they could now eat the Passover while relaxing around the table.

The point was that the Israelites were no longer aliens or strangers, but now at "rest" in the land God had promised them. Here we see their teachings refuted by reminding them that Joshua did not give them "rest," because God spoke later about "another day" of rest. Nor was this "rest" achieved by a conclusion of one's daily work as the weekly Sabbath required, for all of the Hebrews of Joshua's time "kept" the weekly Sabbath. Thus this "rest" is not a literal keeping of the Sabbath, but instead an eternal rest in God's gift of salvation.

The word "rest" in verse 8 is the Greek word, "catapausis," which in the Hebrew, was used when Noah rested from weariness as the ark rested on Ararat after tossing to and fro; and as Israel, under Joshua, enjoyed at last rest from war in Canaan. But the "rest" in verse 9 is the nobler and more exalted (Hebrew) "Sabbath" rest; literally, "cessation": rest from work when finished (Hebrews 4:4), as God rested (Revelation 16:17). The two ideas of "rest" combined, give the perfect view of the heavenly Sabbath. Rest from weariness, sorrow, and sin; and rest in the completion of God's new creation (Revelation 21:5).

4:10, 11

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Clearly, when one enters into God’s rest, he has ceased from his own works. We need to follow after Christ who, "was faithful to the One who appointed Him" (3:2), and must be careful to "hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end" (3:14). We must always strive to be right with God. We have plenty of examples of what happens when one drifts from the Lord.

We see the word "rest" mentioned many times in this chapter. It also appears in verses 11 and 18 of chapter 3. There are three different types of rest. The three types of rest are past, present, and future. Past rest speaks of our salvation. When we got saved, that was the beginning of the rest that Christ has in stored for us. Present rest speaks of our sanctification. We can continually go to Christ for our rest. He has started a work in us that will not be finished until we get to heaven (Philippians 1:6). Future rest speaks of our celebration or our glorification. This rest will be our final rest.

4:12, 13

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Verse 12 teaches us a lot about the Word of God. First, it mentions that it is quick. That means the Bible is life giving. It is life in of itself. It is able to give life to those that have never believed. Although at times it may seam to us hopeless to give God’s Word to someone because of their unbelief, His Word will never return void (Isaiah 55:11).

The Word of God is also powerful. The Word of God is the most powerful and life giving book ever written. It is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Remember in chapter 1 we learned that even taking away His Word, things would cease to exist.

It is sharper than any twoedged sword. One side of the Word of God is for convicting and converting (Hebrews 4:2), and the other for crushing and condemning the unbelieving (Hebrews 4:14). The word crushing has the idea of severely impairing the spirit, health, and effectiveness of a person.

The Word of God divides "asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow." It judges all that is in the heart, for there it passes through, at once punishing the unbelievers; and searching the insides of all. It penetrates our innermost being. It divides our actions from our motives. The creator of all knows what is in us (John 2:25). Through His Word He searches all our inward parts (Proverbs 20:27). It is capable of judging the purposes of what we do, and why we do it.

There is absolutely no way a person can enter God’s rest through their outward obedience, for God examines the motives of our thoughts (I Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9). Verse 13 tells us that everything is opened in the eyes of the Lord.

4:14-16

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

In verse 14 it is mentioned again that Christ is our High Priest. Because He is our great High Priest, we are to "hold fast our profession." The fact that Jesus accomplished all that He set out to do, was obedient to the One that sent Him, and has "passed into the heavens" is proof that He is God's Son, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world (1 Corinthians 15:13-17).

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." Jesus Christ in the flesh was still God. He did not sin because He could not sin because of His nature. However, "in all points tempted like as we are." Because of His manhood He was tempted just like you and I. Christ was a man of like passions and needs, but was still a Holy God that could not sin.

Verse 16 tells us that we can go to the throne of God boldly. We should not be shy or intimidated when seeking the Lord. There we will find the grace to help us in the "time of need." It was Gods grace that saved us, but He still has more grace for us to receive (James 4:6).

On our own we are unable to stand in the presence of the Almighty and Holy God! On the outward appearance we may look clean, but the thoughts of our hearts are only evil continually (Genesis 6:5; Job 15: 14-16; Psalms 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19). Only by the continuing work of the Lord Jesus Christ as our great High Priest can a man stand in the Father’s presence.

The Old Testament saints were only allowed to stand before their earthly priest, and then he would make intercession for them. Now, you and I, can not only stand in the Father’s presence, but we can "come boldly!"