God’s Promise of Rest Hebrews 4:1-10

The lofty theme of the grand book of Hebrews is the Superiority of Jesus Christ.  The author, who is anonymous, has proven unmistakably that Jesus Christ is superior to the Prophets (Hebrews 1:1-3) because the Prophets’ revelation was only partial and fragmentary; whereas God’s revelation found its finality with or in Christ; Jesus Christ is superior to Angels (Hebrews 1:5-2:18) for the Angels were mere messengers; however, Christ is the Son who will inherit the Messianic Kingdom! In Hebrews 3:1-6, the author presented the fact that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses, because Moses was a servant in the house, but Christ is the Son who made the house.

Having quoted from Psalm 95:7-11, the author has shown that through unbelief that generation from twenty years old and upward that left Egypt did not enter into God’s rest of entrance into Canaan; thus, that generation wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and tragically died in the wilderness!  They forfeited their opportunity to enter Canaan because of unbelief.

Now beginning in Hebrews 4:1, the author states that God’s offer of rest is still valid, for it has never had a complete and final fulfillment in the past.  As believers today, we must be awfully careful to not move away from our Christian teachings and embrace some religious system that is powerless to save and offer no hope beyond this life.   According to verse 2, the Israelites had heard the good news of rest in the land of Canaan, but upon hearing it, they did not mix what they heard with faith!  They did not profit from the gospel of rest!  Unbelief excluded them from the rest which God had prepared for them in the land of promise.  The only prerequisite for entering into God’s rest is faith, and faith alone (v. 3).

After referring to the fact that God rested on the seventh day from all His works (v. 4), God is still offering rest to mankind.  The Israelites in the wilderness failed to enter Canaan because of their rebellion against God’s authority.  But their stark refusal did not nullify God’s ultimate promise of rest.  God’s promise of rest did not cease with Israel in the wilderness, but He continues pleading with men to trust Him.  Even in David’s time, He was still pleading with men to trust Him and not to harden their hearts! (v. 7).

Before we conclude, let us observe the references to the word “rest” in the book of Hebrews.  We were first introduced to the word “rest” in Hebrews 3:11, and the word “rest” referred to Canaan’s Rest, and a host of Israelites did not experience the rest of entering Canaan because of unbelief!  In Hebrews 4:3, there is a Salvation Rest in which all believers enjoy.  Believers today enjoy rest of conscience, knowing that the penalty for all sins has been paid through the finished work of Christ. Then in Hebrews 4:4, there is Creation Rest, wherein God rested from His creation.  God rested, not because He was tired and exhausted, but because of the fact that He had completed His task.

As believers today, you might be asking: “Before experiencing God’s Eternal Rest (Heaven), is it possible to experience God’s rest?”  Yes, the word “rest” really means cessation from activity.  For a believer it means the freedom to enjoy life without having to trust in oneself.  It means a life of total confidence in God. After salvation, we must remember that any good works that we perform are the result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as we yield to Him.  In this Christian life, we may become weary in God’s service though not weary of it.  Yes, in this Christian life, we will encounter many obstacles along the way; storms may rise and winds may blow, friends may come and they may go; but we must fix our eyes on Jesus, for Hebrews 12:2 says: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The hymn writer wrote:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

May God Bless!