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Bible Study/Commentary
Hebrews 4: Let Us Therefore Be Diligent, To Enter God's Rest
Hebrews Chapter 4 continues the discussion from the previous chapter about the promise of entering God's rest.
It further elaborates on the concept of "rest" and the conditions for entering it.
The author emphasizes that for a person to enter "God's Rest," they must cease from doing their own works
The chapter also introduces Jesus as the great High Priest who can sympathize with human weaknesses, marking a transition into a deeper discussion of Jesus' priestly role.
Bible Study/Commentary & Verses
Verses 1-5: The Promise of Rest
The author starts this chapter by reiterating the promise of entering God's rest and the warning that it may be possible to fall short of it through disobedience, as the Israelites did.
The author quotes from Psalm 95 and Genesis 2, showing that "God's Rest," had been there since the foundation of the world and that the disobedience of the Israelites prevented them from entering it.
Verses 6-11: A Rest for the People of God
Here, the author explains that there still remains "God's Rest" for the people of God.
He emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith for entering this rest, distinguishing between the physical rest of the Sabbath and the spiritual rest found in Christ.
The author warns again not to fall into disobedience as the Israelites did.
He says, " 'Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, 'Today,' after such a long time, as it has been said:
'Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.'
'For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not have spoken of another day.
Therefore there remains a rest for the people of God.
For he who has entered God's rest, has ceased from his own works, as God rested from His own Works of creations.' "
Here, the author emphasizes that for a person to enter "God's Rest," they must cease from doing their own works
Verses 12-13: The Power, of the Word of God
The author discusses the power of the Word of God, which is living, active, and sharper than a two-edged sword.
God's Word can judge the thoughts and attitudes, of the heart.
Everything is open and laid bare before the eyes of God, emphasizing God's ability to know everything.
Verses 14-16: Jesus, the Great High Priest, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses
The author introduces the concept of Jesus as the High Priest who has passed through the heavens. Jesus, being a man, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses as He was tempted in every way, yet He did not sin.
Therefore, believers are encouraged to approach God's throne of grace, with confidence, knowing that they will receive mercy and find grace, in times of need.
Overall Summary
Hebrews Chapter 4, elaborates on the promise of "God's rest," after His six days of creation, and also to the "rest," of the Israelites in Canaan.
The author emphasizes that for a person to enter "God's Rest," they must cease from doing their own works
But it ultimately pointing to the spiritual rest found in Christ.
It is a rest that remains available for those who believe and are obedient.
The chapter then transitions into the theme, of Jesus as the great High Priest, who is not detached from human experiences, but intimately understands human weakness.
As a result, believers can approach God confidently, knowing they will find mercy and grace.
This chapter serves as both an encouragement to remain faithful, and an introduction to the comprehensive discussion of Christ's priestly role, that will continue in the following chapters.
Hebrews 4
The Promise of Rest
4 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.
Jesus the Great High Priest
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.
Q & A
Hebrews 4:1-2
Q1: What caution is given to the readers regarding the promise of entering God's rest, and why did the message not benefit some?
A1: The caution is to fear lest any should seem to have failed to reach God's rest. The message did not benefit some because they were not united by faith with those who listened, even though they received the same good news.
Hebrews 4:3-5
Q2: How is the concept of entering God's rest explained, and what is quoted to emphasize the importance of faith?
A2: Those who have believed enter God's rest. Despite God finishing His works from the foundation of the world, some will still enter while others failed due to disobedience. Quoting, "They shall not enter my rest," emphasizes the importance of faith.
Hebrews 4:6-7
Q3: Why did some fail to enter God's rest, and what is the significance of the repeated call, "Today"?
A3: Some failed due to disobedience. The repeated call, "Today," emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's voice and not hardening hearts, as quoted through David.
Hebrews 4:8-10
Q4: Why does the author say there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, and how is it related to entering God's rest?
A4: If Joshua had given them rest, God wouldn't have spoken of another day. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, and entering God's rest involves resting from one's works, as God did from His.
Hebrews 4:11-13
Q5: What exhortation is given based on the disobedience of some, and how is the word of God described?
A5: The exhortation is to strive to enter God's rest, so no one falls by the same sort of disobedience. The word of God is living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Q6: Who is described as the great high priest, and what encouragement is given to the readers?
A6: Jesus, the Son of God, is the great high priest. Readers are encouraged to hold fast their confession, as Jesus sympathizes with weaknesses, having been tempted in every respect yet without sin. They are urged to confidently approach the throne of grace for mercy and help in time of need.