Hebrews 4

We ended reading in yesterday’s passage about the Israelites not being able to enter God’s rest.  What is this rest all about?  Today’s chapter gives us some more insights into this …

Bible Passage:  Hebrews 4

There are a few major themes in this chapter but I would like to focus on just one thing…

God’s Rest

Before we think that this rest is only for the Israelites, we read that the blessing of God’s Rest is there for us – even today.  This we can read it in Hebrews 4:1, 6, 9.

What kind of Rests are there?

In the Old Testament, there were 2 “rests” mentioned.

The first was the weekly Sabbath rest – the one that we are most familiar with.  The Sabbath rest that started in Genesis 2:2-3 when God rested after His creation – was one that we were all invited to enter for it is a day that God specially blessed.  The Israelites were reminded to keep the Sabbath and enter into His rest by not working on the Sabbath.  They were to trust in the providence of God – especially so in the wilderness during Exodus.

And because of their faith in God in keeping the Sabbath, the other nations around could see that their God was real and powerful, and He was faithful and takes care of His own.

The second rest was rest from their enemies.  This was the rest that Joshua had given them – mentioned in Heb 4:8.  God said that He will go before them and defeat their enemies so that they can live in the land He has give to them (Deut 12:9-10).  All they had to do was to trust in God leading them and just obey.  But as we read in yesterday’s chapter, the first batch of Israelites in Exodus did not enter that rest because they did not trust in God’s promises.  But 40 years later, the next generation of Israelites did – and Joshua led them to enter this rest.

While these two are great ‘rests’… the author of Hebrews speaks about another future and greater rest.. a rest that God’s people could enter into.

This rest was already mentioned by David in Psalm 95:7-8.  This Sabbath-rest is for the people of God…. and is a rest we should all strive to enter.

We have this rest because of Jesus.  And this rest is freely available to all.

Jesus says it most beautifully in Matt 11:28-30…

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Whenever I grow weary with life in this world, I would like to read these words of Jesus and also the words here in Hebrews 4.

Because Jesus is calling out to those who are weary from trying to pull loads that are too heavy for them.  It is not about physical loads – but about the burdens of living in this sinful world where toil and labour only brings you frustrations and pain.  But Jesus promises us rest… He is willing and able to pull our loads because He is strong… but we have to get into His yoke by coming to Him and learning from Him.

Not only this… there promises to be a future rest – where we will cease from all physical labours and sufferings.

Are We In This Rest?

We often hear people around remarking that they have no time… that life is so busy and we have no time to rest.

And how much we really need to rest.  But we simply cannot find the time … or the opportunity to rest.

But here we read of God offering His rest to us – the physical rest, the Sabbath day rest and the rest that comes from Jesus with the hope of a future eternal rest – it would be a great shame if we do not take God at His word and enjoy the rest!

But are we in this rest?  How do we enter into it?

Faith is the key to entering God’s rest.  It requires us to believe in God’s promises (Heb 4:2-3).

The problem is that very often, while we know this… we tend to fall …. just like the Israelites… and disobey God … and in so doing… are in grave danger of also missing out on entering this rest.

That’s why the next 2 parts are so important…

Word of God

Hebrews 4:12 is a familiar verse that is worth repeating and remembering…

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

How do we know if we are disobedient?  Who can tell us if we are doing wrong and missing the rest?  Who knows the inner most thoughts and desires of one’s heart?

The Word of God is living and powerful… able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.  And that is why we need to read the Bible regularly… and allow the Word of God to dwell in our hearts richly and guide us.

This Bible reading campaign in its 3rd year… at times I do feel that I have grown spiritually but at times… it seems I am back when I first started…

So … we need to really read and know the Word of God for ourselves… cause it will help us enter the rest.

Jesus the High Priest

We are also to draw near to Jesus.  Jesus knows our every weakness and He understands where we have been or are going through.

But the promise is this… we can approach the throne of grace with confidence – because we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16).

How marvellous is this!

When I read this part… I cannot help but feel overwhelmed…

Jesus is there to help me in my time of need…. with His mercy and grace.  And that will bring rest to my soul.

The only need is for us to come before this throne of grace.  We have to come before Him often.  In church.  For services.   In prayer.  In reading His Word.

Have we done so today?

Recently, I came across this contemporary song that I like a lot.  It’s called Enter The Rest of God.  Tell me if you like it too 🙂

May we all find true rest in the Lord Jesus.