Hebrews Chapter 4 Part 2
A Rest for the People of God
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Heb 4:9
Eternal Rest
1. The rest that remains for the people of God could not be:
(1) The sabbath of Gen. 2:1-4, for this was God’s rest and not man’s
(2) The sabbath of Exo. 20:8-11
(3) The rest in the promised land, for both David and Paul spoke of a future rest long after these three rests (Heb. 4:7-10)
2. The rest that remains for the people of God is twofold:
(1) Rest in Christ (Mat. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:3)
(2) Eternal rest in the next life (Heb. 3:11, 3:18; 4:1, 4:5, 4:9-11; Rev. 14:13)
Greek Verbs Translated "Rest":
1. Anapauo, to cause or permit one to cease from labor (Mat. 11:28; 26:45; Mark 6:31; 14:41; 1Pet. 4:14; Rev. 6:11; 14:13)
2. Katapauo, to make quiet; cause one to be at rest (Heb. 4:4, 4:8)
3. Epanapauomai, rest upon, cause to rest upon (Luke 10:6; Rom. 2:17)
4. Hesuchazo, cease from labor (Luke 23:56)
5. Kataskenoo, lodge, pitch one’s tent (Acts 2:26)
6. Episkenoo, take possession of; dwell in or on (2Cor. 12:9)
Greek Nouns Translated "Rest":
1. Sabbatismos, sabbath rest; keeping the sabbath; rest from toils and trouble, in the life to come (Heb. 4:9)
2. Anapausis, cessation of motion, business or labor (Mat. 11:29; 12:43; Rev. 4:8; 14:11)
3. Katapausis, put to rest; resting place; cessation from labor so that the weary body may be rested and refreshed (Acts 7:49; Heb. 3:11, 3:18; 4:1, 4:3, 4:5, 4:10, 4:11)
4.Anesis, relief (2Cor. 2:13; 7:5; 2Thes. 1:7)
5. Koimesis, reposing, reclining (John 11:13)
6. Eirene, translated "peace" 89 times, but rest in Acts 9:31
A different Greek word for “rest” meaning “Sabbath rest” is introduced here, and this is its only appearance in the New Testament. The writer chose the word to draw the readers’ attention back to the “seventh day” (mentioned in verse 4), and to set up the explanation in verse 10 (“rested from his works, as God did for His”).
This means that the people of God will have a time when they cease from labor. In fact all of the troubles of this sinful world will be no more for those who have chosen Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Rev. 7:14-17 “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
The rest — the messianic partnership — did indeed lie ahead: There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.
For
he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own
works, as God did
from his. Heb 4:10
Rev. 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”
We know that after we are dead we can do no work for the Lord. We must do our work while we are alive, because after we are dead, it is too late. Work is for this earth, and the rewards come in heaven, as we see in Jesus’ own words in the next Scripture.
Rev. 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
The earth, and heaven, and all therein contained were created in 6 days and God rested; Jesus worked 6 hours on the cross, and now is resting, sitting at the right hand of the Father. We, also, will rest with Him at the right hand of the throne, if we continue in the faith of Jesus Christ.
Rev. 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
But it must now be said clearly that entering into God’s rest means resting from one’s own work just as God did from His. The statement is both a reassurance and an admonition. On the one hand it follows up the writer’s conclusion (Heb. 4:9) that there is such a rest to be entered. But on the other, it reminds the readers that this is only done by their getting to the end of their task just as did God in His creative activity. In the phrase “rests from His own work,” the author employed a kind of word play since the verb for “rest” also signifies “cease” which, against the backdrop of God’s own work, clearly suggests successful completion. This thrust is what the writer has had in mind from the beginning of the section. The readers need to model their lives after Jesus Christ who “was faithful to the One who appointed Him” (Heb. 3:2) and must be careful to “hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first” (Heb. 3:14; cf. Heb. 3:6). Only thus would they be able to rest from their works in the joyful possession of their inheritance in the messianic kingdom.
Let
us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after
the same example of unbelief. Heb 4:11
into that rest... This is more than a sabbath day which every man can observe as a rest period. One has to labor to enter into it. One can fail to enter this rest (Heb. 4:1), but no man can possibly escape ordinary rest periods—saint or sinner.
2Pet. 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The sad thing sometimes, is that some who start out with Jesus do not remain steadfast. When troubles come, they falter. Trials of this world have a way of separating those who truly belong to God, from those who are just pretenders.
It follows logically from this that the readers should, along with the author (note, Let us), make every effort to enter that rest. Unlike the assurance which all Christians have that they possess eternal life and will be raised up to enjoy it in the presence of God (cf. John 6:39-40), the share of the companions of Messiah in His dominion over creation is attained by doing His will to the end (Rev. 2:26-27). The readers must therefore be warned by Israel’s failure in the desert and take care that they not follow Israel’s example of disobedience.
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. Heb 4:12
word
of God...
The Scriptures.
quick, and powerful,... Seven Facts about the Word of God:
1. Quick. Greek: zao, to live; to be full of vigor; be strong; powerful; active. Translated "quick" (Heb. 4:12; Acts 10:42; 2Tim. 4:1; 1Pet. 4:5); "lively" (Acts 7:38; 1Pet. 1:3; 2:5; and "to live" and "be alive" 112 times. Not the same as zoe, living (Rev. 4:6).
2. Powerful. Greek: energes. Also translated "effectual" (1Cor. 16:9; Phlm. 1:6)
3. Sharper than any two-edged sword
4. Piercing even to divide asunder of soul and spirit
5. Dividing the joints and marrow
6. Discerning the thoughts
7. Discerning the intents of the heart
twoedged... Greek: distomos. Here; Rev. 1:16; 2:12. While the Word of God is comforting and nourishing to those who believe, it is a tool of judgment and execution for those who have not committed themselves to Jesus Christ.
Some of the Hebrews were merely going through the motions of belonging to Christ. Intellectually, they were at least partly persuaded, but inside they were not committed to Him. God’s Word would expose their shallow beliefs and even their false intentions (1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Pet. 4-5).
sword... Greek: machaira, sword, 29 times (Heb. 4:12; 11:34, 11:37; Eph. 6:17; Mat. 10:34; 26:47-55; Mark 14:43-48; Luke 21:24; 22:36-52; John 18:10-11; Acts 12:2; 16:27; Rom. 8:35; 13:4; Rev. 6:4; 13:10, 13:14).
Twelve Symbols of the Word of God:
1. A hammer to convict (Jer. 23:29)
2. A fire to refine (Jer. 23:29)
3. A mirror to reflect (Jas. 1:23)
4. Seed to multiply (1Pet. 1:23)
5. A laver to cleanse (Eph. 5:26)
6. A lamp to guide (Psm. 119:105)
7. Rain and snow to refresh (Isa. 55:10)
8. A sword to cut (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17)
9. A bow for revenge (Hab. 3:9)
10. Gold to enrich (Psm. 19:7-10)
11. Power to create faith (Rom. 10:17) and eternal life (1Pet. 1:23)
12. Food to nourish:
(1) Milk for babes (1Pet. 2:2)
(2) Bread for the hungry (Mat. 4:4)
(3) Meat for people (Heb. 5:11-14)
(4) Honey for dessert (Psm. 19:10)
dividing asunder of... Piercing through the body and laying open the innermost recesses of the soul (feelings, passions, desires, appetites) and mind (thoughts and intents of the innermost being). These terms do not describe two separate entities (any more than “thoughts and intentions” do), but are used as one might say “heart and soul” to express fullness (Luke 10:27; Acts 4:32; 1 Thes. 5:23). Elsewhere these two terms are used interchangeably to describe man’s immaterial self, his eternal inner person.
Throughout the Bible, we are taught that the weapon of the Christian is their Bible; the Two-edged Sword. Christians are in a battle between the flesh and the Spirit. You might even say that this war is between the world and God’s people. Christians make up God’s army. The object of this war is the salvation of the people. We are in the last hours of battle.
True Christians must put on their uniform and come forward to the front lines. Our uniform is the same one mentioned (in the 6th chapter of Ephesians), except we have patches on our knees from praying.
Eph. 6:13-18 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
We must keep our powder dry. We must not water down the Word of God as many of the new Bibles do. Some are watered down to the extent that Jesus is no longer God. The battle is in the last hours and all good soldiers of the Lord are needed in His army now. This army must be willing to fight to the death, if necessary. There is no time left for fun and games, we are at war.
The heart of man is really what he is. If you have a wicked heart, then you are a wicked man, if you have a good heart you are a good man.
Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Sometimes to be a Christian, a person has to give up family and friends. Christianity divides families sometimes. The two great powers in the world are the spoken and the written Word. The power of God is in His Word.
God’s Word And The Throne Of Grace
Having completed his exposition of Psm. 95:1-11 and Israel’s failure to enter rest, the writer brought this section of warning to a conclusion that is both sobering and comforting. God’s Word is a solemn instrument of divine judgment, but His throne is both gracious and merciful.
The lesson he had just taught from the Old Testament Scriptures was not a mere historical tale. Instead, as had already been made clear by much he had said, it was powerfully relevant to his audience. For the Word of God is living (zōn) and active (energēs). Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and reaches the innermost being of a person so that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In doing this, it is able to discriminate successfully between what is spiritual in man and what is merely “soulish” or natural (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), and does so even when these often-contradictory inner elements are interwoven as closely as joints and marrow. The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh. The readers might think that they were contemplating certain steps out of purely spiritual motivations when, as God’s Word could show them, they were acting unfaithfully as did Israel of old.
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. Heb
4:13
any creature that... Greek: ktisis, created thing (see, Rom. 8:22). Every thought, desire and intent of every creature of God are constantly under His eyes.
opened unto the... “Open”: is a specialized term used just this one time in the New Testament. It originally meant to expose the neck either in preparation for sacrifice or for beheading. Perhaps the use of “sword” in the previous verse triggered the term.
Everyone, is judged not only by the Word of God (John 12:48), but by God Himself. We are accountable to the living, written Word (John 6:63, 68; Acts 7:38), and to the living God who is its author.
God knows not only what you have done, but He knows your thoughts and He knows the desires of your heart. His eyes look into the very soul of man.
1Pet. 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.”
Let them not suppose, therefore, that their motives would go undetected for nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Instead, everything is uncovered and laid bare before… Him. In saying this, the readers were reminded that, like all Christians, they would someday stand before the judgment seat of Christ where they must give account to God for their lives (cf. Rom. 14:10-12; 2Cor. 5:10). If at that time their lives are seen to be marked by the kind of failure they have been warned against, the writer implied they will suffer loss of reward (cf. 1Cor. 3:11-15). In this context the loss they suffer will be that of their inheritance-rest.
Jesus the Great High Priest
Seeing
then that...
Paul mentioned Christ as our High Priest before (Heb. 2:17; 3:1), but
did not attempt to prove it until now, which he does at great length
in Heb. 4:13-10:39.
that is passed... Christ Better than Other Priests
1. Jesus Christ was God’s only begotten Son (Heb. 4:14; 1:5-7; 5:5; John 3:16).
2. He was not a descendant of earthly priests (Heb. 7:11-14; Mat. 1:1).
3. He passed into heaven to minister to us (Heb. 4:14; 7:25; Rom. 8:34).
4. Jesus Christ was sinless (Heb. 4:3, 4:15).
5. He lives forever to help in the time of need (Heb. 4:16; 7:25).
6. He was not taken from among men or ordained by them, but sent from heaven and ordained by God (Heb. 5:1, 5:5; John 3:16; Acts 10:38).
7. Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6, 5:10,20).
8. He was perfect (Heb. 5:9).
9. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all people who obey (Heb. 5:9).
10. He made a way of access to God (Heb. 4:14-16; 10:19-23).
passed into... Greek: dierchomai, go or pass through; arrive at (Heb. 4:14; Luke 4:30; 1Cor. 10:1; 16:5). Just as the High-Priest under the Old Covenant passed through 3 areas (the outer court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies), to make the atoning sacrifice, Jesus passed through 3 heavens, the atmospheric heaven, the stellar heaven and God’s abode; (2 Cor. 12:2-4), after making the perfect, final sacrifice.
Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the High-Priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people (Lev. 16). That tabernacle was only a limited copy of the heavenly reality (8:1-5).
When Jesus entered into the heavenly Holy of Holies, having accomplished redemption, the earthly facsimile was replaced by the reality of heaven itself. Freed from that which is earthly, the Christian faith is characterized by the heavenly (3:1; Eph. 1;3; 2:6; Phil. 3:20; Col. 1:5; 1Pet. 1:4).
Heb. 8:1 “Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;”
Heb. 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].”
Rom. 8:34 “Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
fast our profession... Greek: homologia (see, Heb. 3:1).
These Scriptures above tell us that Jesus Christ is the High Priest for all believers. He is our way into the holy of holies. He is constantly pleading our case to the Father. Jesus’ sacrifice of His body on the cross was our payment for all time. He is our High Priest forever.
But this need not be so. On the contrary there is every reason to hold firmly to the faith we profess in view of the fact that the believers’ great High Priest… has gone through the heavens. Only once previously (2:1-3:6) had the writer referred explicitly to the priesthood of Jesus, though it was implicit in Heb. 1:3, but now he was preparing to undertake an extensive consideration of that truth. But before doing so, he wished to suggest its practical relevance to his readers whom he exhorted to “hold firmly to the faith.” They had to know that the priesthood of their Lord offered them all the resources they needed.
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. Heb 4:15
cannot
be touched...
Greek: sumpatheo,
sympathize (Heb. 4:15; 10:34).
of our infirmities... See, Mat. 8:17.
was in all... He was tempted in all things like human beings, without consenting to sin.
tempted like as... The writer here adds to his statements (in 2:18), that Jesus was sinless. He was able to be tempted (Mat. 4:1-11), but not able to sin.
Impeccability of Christ: Two words, tempt-ability and impeccability, describe Christ in His temptation. The basic idea of tempt-ability is “to be appealed to.” Christ was in this sense tempted, but He was not tempted with evil nor was He tempted by evil desires (Jas. 1:13).
As God, He could not be tempted with evil. The word impeccability means Christ as God could not have sinned. The comparative attributes of God made it impossible for him to sin when He was tempted.
As you read about Christ’s temptation notice that He did not rely on His attributes but on the Word of God to resist the temptation of Satan. In this same way, the Christian today can overcome temptation (Psm. 119:9-11).
Jesus Christ the Righteous “our Lord”, took on flesh so that He might relate to us in our flesh. Jesus fasted 40 days and was tempted by the devil. Jesus Christ was the only one who ever lived above sin.
Phil. 2:7-8 “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
The One who served as High Priest on their behalf had been where they were and had been tempted in every way, just as they were. Though unlike them He was without sin (cf. Heb. 7:26; 2Cor. 5:21; 1Jhn. 3:5), never responding wrongly to any of His temptations (nor could He, being God), yet as a man He could feel their reality (much as an immovable boulder can bear the brunt of a raging sea) and thus He is able to sympathize (sympathēsai, lit., “to feel or suffer with”) with their and our weaknesses. It may indeed be argued, and has been, that only One who fully resists temptation can know the extent of its force. Thus the sinless One has a greater capacity for compassion than any sinner could have for a fellow sinner.
Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16
us
therefore come...
Greek: proserchomai,
draw near. Here; Heb. 7:25; 10:1, 10:22; 11:6; 12:18, 12:22.
boldly unto the... Greek: parrhesia (see, Acts 4:13). Most ancient rulers were unapproachable by anyone but their highest advisers (Est. 4:11). In contrast, the Holy Spirit call for all to come confidently before God’s throne to receive mercy and grace through Jesus Christ (7:25; 10:22; Mat. 27:51).
The Ark of the Covenant was viewed as the place on earth where God sat enthroned between the cherubim (2Ki. 19:15; Jer. 3:16-17). Oriental thrones included a footstool, yet another metaphor for the ark (Psm. 132:7). It was at the throne of God that Christ made atonement for sins, and it is there that grace is dispensed to believers for all the issues of life (2Cor. 4:15; 9:8; 12:9; Eph. 1:7; 2:7).
throne of grace... The throne from which all grace proceeds. In Israel it was the mercy-seat or covering for the ark between the two cherubim. The high priest could approach this only once a year and that with the blood of atonement. If he transgressed in anything he would be struck dead. His approach was with fear and trembling. The new covenant believers can come boldly to God’s throne without fear and trembling, and that daily and at any time of the day. This is the freedom, confidence, and liberty of approach they are commanded to keep until the end.
that we may... Two blessings we may expect from God:
1. Greek: eleos, mercy, pity, compassion. Used 28 times, 23 of which are associated with God (Heb. 4:16; Mat. 9:13; 12:7; 23:23; Luke 1:50, 1:54, 1:58, 1:72, 1:78; 10:37; Rom. 9:23; 11:31; 15:9; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 2:4; 1Tim. 1:2; 2Tim. 1:2, 1:16, 1:18; Tit. 1:4; 3:5; Jas. 2:13; 3:17; 1Pet. 1:3; 2Jhn. 1:3; Jude 1:2, 1:21). See Exo. 34:6-7; Deut. 4:31; 2Ch. 30:9; Neh. 9:17; Psm. 86:15; 103:17; 111:4; 130:7; 145:8.
2. Grace to help or support when needed, where needed, and to the extent needed. It is not help for needs we think we shall have in the future, but immediate and present needs. “Grace to you” became a standard greeting among believers who celebrated this provision (Rom. 1:7; 16:20, 24; 1Cor. 1:3; 16:23; 2Cor. 1:2; 13:14; Gal. 1:3; 6:18; Eph. 1:2; 6:24; Phil. 1:2; 4:18; Col. 1:2; 4:18; 1Thes. 1:1; 5:28; 2Thes. 1:2; 3:18; 1Tim. 1:2; 6:21; 2Tim. 1:2; 4:22; Tit. 1:4; 3:15; Phi. 3, 25).
Only Christianity provides such boldness for sinful men before a holy God, and that boldness is possible only because of our High Priest. The figure of a “throne” suggests place of authority and provision. It is the place to obtain God’s grace when it is especially needed.
Jesus Christ tore down the curtain separating God from mankind when He died on the cross.
Mat. 27:51 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”
help in time... Seven steps in obtaining help:
1. Recognition of a meeting place with God—the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16)
2. Consciousness that this meeting place is made possible through the atoning blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19-20)
3. Obedience in coming to this throne (Heb. 4:16; 10:22-23)
4. Calling upon God for mercy and grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16)
5. Boldness in approach (Heb. 4:16)
6. Fervency and earnestness in presenting needs (Jas. 5:16; Luke 11:5-13)
7. Faith in the answer (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8; Mat. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 11:22-24)
The way to the Father is provided through the name of Jesus. Jesus gave us the right to use His name. We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. When we pray in the name of Jesus, God answers our prayers.
John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].”
With such a High Priest, it follows that believers should approach the throne of grace with confidence (parrēsias; cf. Heb. 3:6; 10:19, 10:35). In a book filled with lovely and captivating turns of expression, few excel the memorable phrase “throne of grace.” Such a conception of the presence of God into which beleaguered Christians may come at any time, suggests both the sovereignty of the One they approach (since they come to a “throne”) and His benevolence. At a point of contact with God like this Christians can fully expect to receive mercy and find grace to help… in… time of need.
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