The original recipients of this book are the Jewish Christian who experienced severe persecution ,they lost their jobs , lost their houses and some of them was tempted to go back from their old ways for this reason the author encouraged them to stand firm in their faith and to continue in their walk with God.
Also this is the very reason why God is inviting His people to His rest in the midst of trials and temptations. In our study we will discover the plan of God’s rest for our lives. He first begins with the Promise of Rest.
1. The Promise of God’s rest
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. (v.1)
The Greek word for Rest is katapausis ( κατάπαυσις) which means reposing down, literally a ceasing from one's work or activity. But this doesn’t mean we should be careless but CAREFUL! Careful (NIV) or Fear(KJV) (φοβέω phobeo) means “to be alarmed” as well. It is to be restful and cautious at the same time lest we fall short of His promise.
The promise of heavenly rest still remains, the greater rest that the people of God could ever have, the inheritance that no value of money could compare, the permanent rest from labor, pains, worries and anxieties and the permanent rest that the world could not offer. This is a privileged blessing to all the people of God but we must be careful, for we might miss out the blessing He had prepared for us. In order to obtain His promise, we must beware (be aware) of certain hindrances:
2. The Hindrances to God’s Rest - Be careful of these:
a. Lack of Faith
Heb 4:1-5 (NKJV)
2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."
God promised us His rest, but it is based on FAITH (πίστις pistis = assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity)
Romans:10:17 says “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” We find rest everytime we hear the Word of God mixed with faith.
During the time of Moses, the Lord spoke to him directly in order to save Israel from the hand of the Egyptians. The Israelites had seen the miraculous things that the Lord had done along their journey but they kept on grumbling every time they experienced trials. Because of this they failed to enter the promised rest.
The Jewish Christians on the other hand, heard the word of God and had seen as well the miraculous things that Jesus performed, When Jesus went back to Heaven, the apostles continued to share the good news but when they experienced trials they doubted and were tempted to go back to their old ways. Thus the book of Hebrew was written for their admonition.
Today, the gospel of Jesus had been shared with us. We are blessed for we have this opportunity to know Him through His word, to see His power through our circumstances and He even uses people to share the gospel. All these things that we have heard and read will be useless in times of trouble if we do not combine it with faith. The circumstances, our problems and even our pride can overshadow the power of God in our lives. We tend to focus on the problem and on our own strength. For this reason, we miss out what the Lord had done, how He works in our problem and we miss out on having a peaceful mind & joy while God is working in us.
b. Disobedience
Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, (v.6)
Though the blessing still remains to His people who had heard the word of God, this might be of no use because of disobedience, for He instructed us to have faith and obey Him in every circumstances in our lives and surrendering our lives unto him while He is molding and working in us . But insisting on the things what we think is right, doing things that what we think will make us happy, doing things that are against His will are, in effect, departing ourselves from God and from the blessing He had prepared for us.
Praise God! He has made a way unto that rest:
3. The Road to God’s rest
Heb 4:7-13 (NKJV)
7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Though God used Joshua to lead the people to the Canaan Rest but God offers a greater rest to His people. And the road to entering into God’s rest is Jesus Christ! Who, by His grace and mercy, gave us the faith, the faith that we should use in order to receive the fullness of His blessing. This requires meekness and diligence in the sense that we stop depending on our own resources and strength.
He gave us the guide to lead us to the right path, and when we choose to listen to His word with all our heart and soul, the word of God will penetrate into our hearts, The Lord Himself will then open our eyes to reveal Himself to us, we will able to see the difference between being with God and being without Him. We can now be able to see what we need and what the Lord wants for us.
Conclusion:
Heb 4:14-16 (NKJV)
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us continue to depend on Him in all circumstances of our lives, for He alone is the One who is able to help us in times of trouble. He is our key to our salvation and to the Promise of God’s rest that has been prepared for us. We can find rest in Jesus, the peace of life, hope and joy while in the midst of trials. The Rest is available to all of us.
Are you willing to take the inheritance that is predestined for you? It is still available. You can have it now!!! It is free from Jesus. Take it while it is today:
Heb 4:7 (NKJV)
"Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts."
God bless!
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