Hebrews 4:1-13

Chapter 3 ended by reminding the 'Hebrews' that Moses' generation did not enter the promised land. This is a reference to:

Numbers 14:20-23:
The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. ²¹ Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, ²² not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times- ²³ not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

The Greek word used, though, is 'Katapausis' (Rest) whereas the Hebrew word in Numbers is 'erets' (Land/Earth). The point at the end of chapter 3 being, then, that Moses generation never entered the land/rest (which the writer seems to equate).

Chapter 4 makes use of the above fact

Hebrews 4:1
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

The obvious implication being that the generation living in the 1st century was able to take part, somehow, in the fulfillment of God's promise regarding the land/rest. The bulk of Hebrews 4 explains this reality.

The situation of the 2 generations may be COMPARED
1. Both groups had a yet unfulfilled promise regarding land/rest
2. Both groups had good news preached to them
3. Both groups had the opportunity to obtain the land/rest through faith

The situation of the 2 generations may be CONTRASTED
1. The good news in Moses' day was not met in faith and so had no value
2. Moses' generation did NOT enter the 'land', the hearers of Hebrews were/could entering the 'rest'
3. The generation AFTER Moses did enter the 'land', but it was not the complete fulfillment of the promise!

Thus, like the other shadows of the Old Testament, the land seems to have been a 'shadow' for the 'rest' which is available through faith in Jesus Christ. We can begin to experience this 'rest' today by placing our trust in Christ instead of our own efforts.

Hebrews 4:3
Now we who have believed enter that rest

Hebrews 4:10
for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

The writer makes sure that no one misses the identity of the 'rest'
1. It does not refer to God's 'rest' on the 7th day, for that 'has been finished since the creation of the world'
2. It does not refer to the the 'land' obtained in Joshua's day or 'God would not have spoken later about another day'

So what, specifically, is this true 'rest'?
It is salvation! It is to be entered into TODAY!
*Salvation is experienced at justification, through sanctification, at glorification

God's rest was on the SEVENTH day (exodus 20:11)
National Israel's rest was during JOSHUA'S day (joshua 21:43-45)
The rest being spoken of here is for TOday!

Hebrews 4:7
Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today

Thus, it should be our passionate work to enter that 'rest' and enter it to the full! Just as in Joshua's day the Israeli armies had to conquer many kingdoms, so we must defeat the kingdoms of our hearts. And we are equipped to do so!

Hebrews 4:11-13
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Whereas in Joshua's day they used physical weapons
Today we use spiritual weapons (the word of God)

The word of God is up for such a task
1. The word of God is living
2. The word of God is active
3. The word of God is sharper than any double edged sword
4. The word of God penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit
5. The word of God penetrates even to dividing joints and marrow
6. The word of God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

We must let God's word do God's work in our lives & our world
We must let the kingdoms in our hearts fall
We must let the kingdoms of this world fall

We must NOT pretend He won't prevail
1. Nothing is hidden from Him
2. Everything is uncovered before Him
3. We must give account