I’ve been doing some teaching out of the book of Hebrews for the past couple of months and it has reminded me once again just how important — critical — that message is for us today. There is so much richness concerning the transition from legalism to grace in the author’s message to his audience of Jewish Christians; from the Moses to Jesus. But because of whom it is written to, many today tend to set it aside as a lesson for the Jewish believers, missing a very important message directed at believers in 2010.
Bear with me here for a moment as I am going to take some liberty concerning the authorship of the book. While no one knows for sure who wrote it, many attribute its authorship to Paul. And since I hate to keep saying “author” I am going to join the Pauline crowd. And the reason I am doing so is that the message is in keeping with Paul’s ministry, and by personalizing it we add so much more to the meaning. And so, for purposes here, I want to focus on Chapter 4 as it contains not only some tremendous encouragement but also some very critical advice from Paul concerning the subject of “rest.”
In the first part of the chapter Paul makes it very clear that the subject he wants to discuss and where the Jewish believers stand in relationship to it.
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
The last part of this verse is actually not quoted precisely in the NIV where it reads: that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. The word “found” (dokeo) actually means: think; suppose; seem; have the appearance of. Paul is saying: if any of you “think” or “suppose” you have missed entering into his rest. The point being that the “time” of entering in has “not” passed them by; they didn’t miss it. And that was critical because of their history.
Moses was the one who was to lead them into their “rest;” their inheritance in the land of Canaan. And while many of their forefathers did not enter into that rest do to their lack of faith, the “rest” Paul wants to refer them to is the one into which Jesus leads them; their inheritance as joint heirs with Him. He also cautions them about taking care less they do miss it. And that is what we need to focus on here.
There has been speculation by some that Paul is referring to salvation. That is not the case as we shall see. He is specifically referring to “God’s rest” and what that means to the believer in Jesus Christ. Let’s set a foundation for that subject before we focus on its relevance today.
Paul makes it very clear in this chapter that those who did not enter in did so by failing to mix their faith with the Word of God. It was their unbelief that kept them out of the Promised Land. And as we noted above, that was referred to as entering into God’s rest. Now jump ahead to verses 3-5 for a moment:
Heb 4:3-5 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. 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. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
The reference here is to God’s resting on the 7th day; ceasing from His works. But there is more here than is first obvious. If you go back to Genesis we read that each day of creation was … the evening and the morning were the first day … and so forth for the first 6 days. But at the end of the 7th day the Word tells us that:
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
He ended His creative work and rested, not because He was weary but because He ceased creating. And His rest didn’t end there, it just began. His providence over all of His creation continues today; He is resting.
Think back now to the words of Joshua and Caleb after they returned from spying out the Promised Land (God’s rest):
Num 14:7-9 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.
Here it was, the land of God’s rest and it was filled with giants. Yet Joshua put his finger on the issue. God gave it to them but they were going to have to trust in Him to deliver them from all the enemies in the land. In other words, they were going to have to cease from “their works” — depending upon themselves — and trust in God to lead them.
And when they crossed the Jordan they took their first step into God’s rest, the precursor of the heavenly rest that is yet to come. They were told to possess their inheritance and enjoy what the Lord had given them. But they were to do so in “faith” rather than unbelief. And as a result, only Joshua and Caleb from the original generation actually entered in; we know the rest of the story. When they followed God and sought His wisdom they triumphed but when they didn’t — falling back into their own works (ceasing from resting) they suffered the consequences.
Canaan was the rest that God had established for them here on earth, but it still took labor to possess it. But the work that they were told to cease from was trusting in their own understanding and strength. They were to rest from those works as God promised He would provide for them. But they had to walk it out.
Is this beginning to sound familiar?
Fast forward to the time Paul wrote this letter to the Jewish Christians. In verse 6 he tells them that they have not missed God’s rest but they will if they do not have faith and “believe.” In verse 7 he once again goes back to David and makes a very critical statement:
Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
David makes it clear — again — that there is a certain day (not just the rest of Canaan); Ps 95. And that day is the ultimate rest we will enjoy in heaven. So don’t harden your hearts “today.” Today becomes each Christian’s own “today;” hear today and believe. Why? Look at verses 8 and 9:
Heb 4:8. 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.
So is there rest today? Are we supposed to cease from our own works now? Yes and yes.
Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Look at the picture God painted for us. The Israelites were led to their inheritance by their leader Moses. They were given that inheritance — God’s rest — but they would have to subdue the land; take it by force. They key however was that they were to subdue it “trusting” in God. Ceasing from their own works and trusting in His. When you stop and think about it, Joshua’s conquering Canaan did not lead to a permanent possession; a permanent rest. That will only come later. And so Paul makes the connection with the present.
Our leader, Jesus, has given us our inheritance; our rest. It begins here and now but only if we are faithful to trust and “believe” in Him. What is our Canaan? It is the Spirit-filled life we have available to us today if we will cease from our own works and totally submit ourselves to Him. It’s now no longer all about “us;” it’s all about Jesus.
So why does Paul make the statement:
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Once again let me be clear; this is not about salvation. This is about our life here on earth – this day, this hour and this moment. How do we want to live it? Struggling in our own works or trusting in Jesus? As it was for the Israelites, those who did not believe did not enter into God’s rest; Canaan. It wasn’t about eternal life, it was and is today all about our life here and now; a foretaste of our final rest in heaven. We need to trust Jesus as we possess our Promised Land — our Spirit-filled life — just as Joshua and Caleb had to trust God as they possessed theirs. In both cases it’s all about how we are to live this life we have been given; trusting in God as we fight our battles or struggling through in our unbelief without His help, strength, power, wisdom, grace and mercy.
And that brings us to verse 11b … lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Here is a strong warning from Paul for what this is ultimately all about; sharing with Christ in his dominion over creation. And that is attained by doing His will to the very end:
Rev 2:26-27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Therefore says Paul, be warned by Israel’s failure in the desert and take care that you don’t follow their example of disobedience … lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
By falling into unbelief one will not enter into His rest. They will not enjoy the benefits of a Spirit-filled life here and now. Does that sound like a group of unbelieving and doubting Israelites in the Promised Land?
And the danger is that it could become a very slippery slope; a danger that could lead into becoming a rebel and entering into apostasy; turning your back and “denying” Christ. And that (I believe) does get into the realm of salvation. That is a very slippery slope we do not even want to get near. To turn away from Jesus and denounce Him; becoming apostate (abandoning one’s belief in Christ; renouncing His sacrifice). So Paul admonishes to avoid that “pit” by finishing the race just as we began it; in faith.
And if we don’t (by faith) enter into a Spirit-filled life (rest), then we will wander in dryness and drought; never being blessed because we continue to strive in our own works. We won’t be at peace because we won’t truly believe that God is as good as He promises to be. We have the Word and the Spirit, so why would we want to continue on our own? Why would we ever stop believing?
Heb 4:12-15 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. 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. 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. 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.
For Jesus (the Word) has paid for it all. So why wouldn’t we “hold fast our profession?” Why wouldn’t we trust and believe with a high priest like Him? Why would we do the exact opposite of holding fast — letting it slip away?
And with that Paul ties it all up in verse 16:
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We have been given the first “taste” of our full inheritance (our final rest) here and now in Jesus. Like the Israelites were to live in, subdue and possess their Promised Land by resting in God, so we are to do the same and possess and enjoy all the blessings of our Promised Land; a Spirit-filled life. Note that the word “may” in verse 16 in the Greek is actually translated “will;” a foregone conclusion; a sure thing.
In possessing and subduing our Promised land — living out our Spirit-filled life here on earth defeating our spiritual giants (our trials) — we “will” have the mercy and grace we call for in those times of need. And because Jesus is our inheritance we can “come boldly” unto the throne and receive them.
Canaan was an interim cessation from works (rest) for Israel and Jesus is an interim cessation from works (rest) for us. All because like the high priest passed into the holy of holies for the nation of Israel, Jesus has passed into the “presence of God” on our behalf and the throne room is now open to all who believe and trust in Him.
Yes it’s all about trust, and we do have a choice. But God has been faithful to show us the way to the right choice time and time again. Let me close with one example for you to take along as a vivid picture of our “rest.”
God brought Noah into his rest in the form of an ark. It was not Noah’s final rest for that was yet to come (as it is for us). But through Noah’s “belief” and “trust” in God, he and his family entered into their rest here on earth; their journey through the flood. Noah ceased from his work and trusted in God. Yes he had “work” to do in building the ark and bearing the ridicule of those in the world around him, but he did not cease in his belief in the God he trusted. And God was faithful even being the very one that sealed Noah and his family in the ark; ushered them into His rest.
Gen 7:16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.
God’s ark took Noah on his journey into his Promised Land. And as our ark, Jesus is taking us on our journey to our Promised Land (a Spirit-filled life) on the way to our ultimate “rest;” heaven. And He is providing all we need along the way if we will cease from our “works” and trust in Him.
Rest is all about our continuing in the same faith we began in; believing all the way to the end. Believing and ceasing from our work until our ark comes to rest in that new heaven and earth. Do we have a choice? Yes we do and why wouldn’t we choose to rest in Him; our ark?
When you think about it I am quite sure that it’s no coincidence that the Hebrew word for “rest” is … Noah.