The Book of Hebrews and Chapter 4
by Lane Rogers
4:1 Reader, beware.
The warning of 3:12 is repeated, but now the danger is described, not as “falling away from the living God” but as missing the opportunity that God affords to enter His resting place. In fact, the last line of Ps. 95 is now reinterpreted, no longer as a warning to the wilderness generation, but as a promise to the readers.
Ou'n The word "therefore" introduces us to this section of text and serves to notify us that we are to remember what has just been discussed in 3:12-19.
As a matter of fact, Ou'n is used to set up the arguments in 1, 3, and 6.
The
Text
| 1Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. |
What is known as the “rest” in the OT was a reference to the physical land of Canaan (Deut. 12:9). The rest in the letter to the Hebrews is not a physical place but one in Heaven (Heb.3:1). In this context, our author urges people to press on and attain their goal of Heaven. It will not be reached automatically. The sense of the word translated “to have come short” (husterekenai) is to not stop half way. Here is the idea. These people had embraced Jesus and were on their way but now they have stopped half way.
Text
| 2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. |
One of the most interesting statements found in the Bible. The congregation addressed in Hebrews had the good news (the gospel, euengelisenoi) preached to them. Our text says that those in the wilderness also had the gospel preached to them. There is no plainer message in the Bible than what we find here. They heard the message of God but did not “obey His voice and keep His covenant” (Ex. 19:3-6; 23:20-33) so the message did them no good. Likewise, it is not hearing the gospel that saves but the appropriation of the gospel by faith that brings us to the final resting place.
Text
The “rest” is only for those who have accepted God's saving message. Notice, it is called “My Rest.”
But the relevant part of this passage is as so:
There is still a place of rest available to us (v. 3a).
Ps. 95:11 attests to its existence (v. 3b).
However, God's place of rest existed from the time of creation (v.3c). This is attested by Gen. 2:2 (v.4).
This is the same place of rest (v.5a) of which Ps.95:11 spoke.
A. Since our author here refers back to Genesis 2:2 for an explanation of the “rest” the message to us is plain. It is not because the rest was not available for those Israelites who were wandering in the wilderness, quite the opposite. The “rest” that God speaks of was never a spot of land on this earth. God's rest has been around since the earth was created and 'that' is the point of the reference to Genesis 2:2. The implications are that God's rest is 'still' available.
B. In verse 5 we again have the stern warning. As the Israelites failed to enter God's rest, so can the congregations to which this letter is addressed.
God's
Resting Place was still around in the time of King David (6-7)
B. The writer of Psalms 95 (in the time of David) tells his readers to listen to God's voice TODAY.
C. Our writer takes this passage (Ps. 95) and uses the words spoken by the Psalmist as relating to the church of his day and even ours. For our writer, TODAY was in his life time and by extension ours. We cannot be disobedient and expect to enter God's rest.
Ps.
95 Proves that Canaan was never the final resting place!
|
8For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. |
9-10
God's
people still have a rest open for believer's.
|
9So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. |
A. The grammar of this section is interesting. The sabbath rest for the people of God is properly called a “sabbath rest” or sabbatismos. This is their participation in God's own rest. So then, when God created the Heavens and earth He rested and His people rest with Him.
B. While some translations have a hard time with this passage the above is accurate. The NEB is also a good translation on this. “Therefore, a Sabbath rest still waits for the people of God; for anyone who enters rest from his own work as God rested from His.”
C. How those who enter rest is explained in chapter 11. They have a “better” country which is “heavenly” and a “city” (in heaven) which God has prepared for them (11:16). “The city which has the foundations whose maker and builder is God” (11:110). Of this city of God, men and women of faith are citizens already, although the fullness of privileges is yet future. Do they enter and receive these privileges at death or resurrection? Our author gives no definitive answer to these questions.
11-13 Entry into God's Rest can still be barred if disobedient.
|
11Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. |
A. Set before these people and us by extension is a choice. Glory that is accessible by faith or disaster for lack of faith. These people are to "endeavor" (v.11) or make a final push.
B. Now we embrace the "living Word of God," or the Logos.
These may be prepared with the "living oracles" received at Sinai (Acts 7:38), and Peter's description of the "Word of God, which liveth and abideth" (1st Peter 1:23). The word is "active" in the sense that it speeds to fulfill the purpose for which it was uttered. Perhaps this is best summed up in Isaiah 55:11 where the God of Israel says of "my Word...that goes forth from my mouth shall not return to me void."
The Word of God here is also described as "sharp" yes even shaper than a two edged sword. This is a quality of the "active Word" of God.
C. How sharp? It will pierce the entire mental nature of man. The soul, the spirit, or both joints and marrow (the body). The Word of God probes the inner most secrets of man.
D.
V.13 We may conceal our inner being from our neighbors and at times
we may even deceive ourselves; but nothing escapes the scrutiny of
God.
The
Conclusion of the Matter 14-16
A. We now center on the Priesthood of Christ. Here we are told several things about Him.
1. We were told that Jesus was merciful and a faithful high Priest (2:17).
2. Being divine did not disqualify Jesus as our Priest, since He was human while on earth. That is, he endured every trial we do.
B. The "heavens" are heavenly regions in general. This is a reflection of the Hebrew word used in the OT which is always plural. Without getting into how many heavens Jesus went through, it is enough to know heavens plural (See Ch. 7:6).
C. (V.15) Once again we are told that the divinity of Christ does not interfere with His humanity. He suffered everything we do and yet did not sin.
D. (V.16) It is because of the above that we can now approach the throne room of God with great "confidence." The throne of God is a "mercy seat.
