The Promise of Rest
September 25, 2021
Commentary
In this passage we find the word “rest“ mentioned nine times (vv. 1-11). God has provided a “rest“ and that “rest“ can still be known today. The reference to Jesus also involves Joshua of the Old Testament (v. 8). The two words, Joshua and Jesus, in Hebrew and Greek, are the same. Here the author suggests there must be a permanent and better rest for the people of God than was realized in Joshua’s day. We see that this rest is compared to that of God’s rest following creation, so we might also think of this rest being a present blessing of God (v. 4). There is also an eternal rest which is in the future (v. 9). We find this refers to Christ who has finished His work for redeeming us, and like God the Father has entered His rest (v. 10). We are told to be diligent to enter God’s rest and not miss what God has because of unbelief (v. 11).
From this passage we see the need for the gospel to be preached, faith to be exercised by those who hear, and rest provided for those who believe.
Six Aspects of Rest:
Creation rest, broken by sin Genesis 2:2Redemption rest, secured in Christ Zeph. 3:17The sinner’s rest, by coming to Christ Matt. 11:28The saint’s rest, in communion with Christ Mark 6:30Paradise rest, present 2 Cor. 5:1-8Eternal rest, future Heb. 4:9
Application
Do I have fears and worries? God provides rest. All I need to do is trust Him and allow Him to work.
Hebrews 4:1– 11 (NET)
1 Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” 5 but to repeat the text cited earlier: “They will never enter my rest!” 6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. 7 So God again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
Illustration: The Wood Chopper Who Sharpened His Axe
One man challenged another to an all-day wood chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had. “I don’t get it,” he said. “Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did.” “But you didn’t notice,” said the winning woodsman, “I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest.” (Source unknown).