A Study of Hebrews: Chapter 4

Introduction: God's rest is not a place of occupation but more of a place in Him spiritually. Once we enter into God's rest, we find a place of strength, reliance, and trust that we didn't have before. The Israelites were our ancestors who came out of slavery from Egypt in search of a promised land where they would be free. Just like the Israelites, we not only enter a new land of promise but we secure a spiritual life of hope as we learn to rest in God.

Hebrews 4:1 God keeps a standing offer of rest and we should tremble at the thought that some of us fall short of the promise.

Hebrews 4:2 God's Good News has been preached to us as well as the Israelites but we won't hear it either unless faith is mixed in to profit us.

Hebrews 4:3 Those that believe enter into his rest but in God's wrath the Israelites would not enter into his rest which was available since he made the world.

Hebrews 4:4 For God said on the seventh day that he would rest from all his works.

Hebrews 4:5 At the same place and same time, God said they would not enter into his rest.

Hebrews 4:6 Some will enter into God's rest but the Israelites did not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:7 God said through David for people to hear his voice and not harden their hearts.

Hebrews 4:8 If Jesus had given rest, he would have spoken about another day of rest.

Hebrews 4:9 Therefore there remains a day of rest for God's people.

Hebrews 4:10 If people enter into his rest, they will cease from their own works just as God did from his (on the seventh day).

Hebrews 4:11 Let us work towards entering into that rest so we don't fall like the Israelites because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God (this Word) is quick, powerful and sharp and cuts into the inside of us exposing our true hearts.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in God's creation can hide from him. Everything is plain and open before God's sight.

Hebrews 4:14 We have a High Priest, Jesus, who has returned to heaven. Let us cling to him as we profess him as Lord.

Hebrews 4:15 Our High Priest, Jesus, understands all of our weaknesses for he was tempted the very same but without sin.

Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to God's throne to find grace and help at our time of need.

My Notes: God is forever offering a place of rest for us - in Him. My place of rest doesn't mean I sit down and do nothing. The place of rest is to let Him do the work spiritually; otherwise I am struggling in my own strength which never works. Our material works never uphold heaven and support the work of God. The Israelites could have been a happy bunch without one care if they had trusted God and His promises of provision. They were looking for a physical land for security and He wanted them to camp out with Him in His land of promise, to go into a higher place that didn't depend on physical elements so that they could experience freedom. Our belief system will determine how restful we become. If we don't allow our faith to carry us over to the other side (a new place of rest), we will become stagnant and die in our own self-made wilderness.

Believing the Word of God is the key component to entering into God's rest because it will get to the bottom of any un-rest in the spirit part of our makeup that might keep us in darkness and unbelief in our hearts. We can free ourselves from life's difficulties by searching the Word of God for answers. We must believe that the Word of God (Jesus) came as our mediator (High Priest) and substitute so we can receive all that God is trying to get to us through His mercy and grace. We must not just read the Word of God (Jesus) but accept Him as Lord and Savior over our lives so we are free to enter into rest with Him. The secret of entering in is to hear with our hearts and not allow anything (people, situations, lifestyle) to harden our hearts against God in unbelief.

References: King James Bible, The Book (Scripture above paraphrased by this author)Note: See other Hebrew chapter writings by this author.