Hebrews 4 (1)

Introduction
God’s “rest” is the theme of Hebrews 4. The writer understands that restis a compelling idea, that something in his readers resonates with the idea of finding rest. Indeed, these first readers were seeking a merely temporal rest by reverting to the safe confines of Jewish conviction and community. But this rest could never satisfy them, for it is not the rest God offers, nor is it the rest we most deeply and truly desire.

Meditate on Exodus 33.12-23.

Read Hebrews 4.1, 2.

Think it through.
1.  When God promised to give Israel rest, what was He promising (Ex. 33.12-14)? How does that provide rest? The writer insists that “a promise remains of entering His rest” (v. 1). A promise of rest remains for us. We do not expect what Israel experienced in the wilderness. But what should we expect? What kind of rest does God hold out for us? The writer says we should “fear” coming short of this rest. Really? Why?

2.  In what sense was the Gospel “preached” to the people of Moses’ day? What “profit” did God intend for His people from these forms of “preaching”? When the writer says that their hearing of the Gospel was not “mixed with faith”, what did he mean? How is our hearing of the Gospel mixed with faith? Does this apply only at our initial hearing of the Gospel? How broad is the Gospel of our great salvation (Heb. 2.3)? To how much of your life does the Gospel apply? Are you hearing with faith in allthese areas?

Meditate.
“Hearing the words does not suffice for salvation; accepting it in faith is necessary, and holding it firm. After all, what benefit was God’s promise to those who received it, but did not receive it faithfully, trust in the power of God or, as it were, associate closely with God’s words?” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 2 Peter 1.5-9

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of faith, the ability to believe in You, Your rest, and Your Word. Today, help me to add to my faith … 

Pray Psalm 84.1-4.
Our rest is in God – in His presence and blessings. As you pray these verses, remember that you have been seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2.6), and that these places are your true home. Thank God for all He shows you about the home He is preparing for your rest.

Psalm 84.1-4 (Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met to Worship)
Lord of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling; 
How my soul longs for Your courts! 
Let my soul with joy keep telling 
Of Your grace forever more. 
Like a bird upon the altar 
Let my life to You belong. 
Blessed are they who never falter 
As they praise Your grace with song!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.