THEMES
Overarching Theme: Standing firm in the realities of a better covenant
Chapter Four Theme: Discovering the rest that remains
BACKGROUND
Chapter 3 introduced us to the way we can learn lessons from the past. This chapter looks more closely at the outworking of Psalm 95:7-11, which the writer quoted in chapter 3. The thought of holding firmly to our faith is still never far away.
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Make sure you watch the video covering Hebrews 4 and have a Bible ready in front of you.
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Verses 1-5
The writer explains that the failure of the Israelites to enter into rest when reaching the promised land means that the opportunity to enter into God’s rest is still available for those of us who have heard the good news and believed it. The point is emphasised by quoting again from Psalm 95:11 and followed up by confirming that the rest which God is referring to as ‘my rest’ is actually the rest he has been experiencing since completing creation by forming mankind. This means that God’s ‘seventh day rest’ was to be humanity’s experience from our first day onwards. Humanity lost that rest in the fall, and then went on to miss out again when entering the promised land.
Question
How do you think humanity’s restlessness has affected individuals and society since the fall?
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Verses 6-11
In saying ‘it still remains for some to enter that rest’, the writer shows that God’s purposes can never be thwarted. The emphasis on ‘today’ is then brought home strongly by saying that David was deliberately setting a new opportunity when he, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote ‘Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’ In verse 10 more light is shed on the nature of God’s rest and in v11 the need to prioritise entering it is emphasised.
Question
How do you bring together the reality of ‘resting from our works’ with ‘making every effort’ to enter into rest?
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Verses 12-13
In these verses we see how God keeps us on track through the penetrating power of his word.
Question
Have you experienced the Bible speaking into your life in a powerful way that you would be able to share?
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Verses 14-16
In the final verses of this chapter we come back to the theme of Jesus as our high priest (see Hebrews 3:1). Although Jesus, unlike previous high priests, is without sin, he can still support us as he has experienced every possible temptation. What is more, he has made it possible for us to come into God’s presence, boldly approaching the throne of grace. Previously, only the high priest could come before the earthly mercy seat and that was just once a year to receive mercy for the nation. We can now come whenever needed to receive personally God’s mercy and grace.
Question
What does it mean to you to ‘receive mercy and find grace to help’ when you are in need?
How would you summarise the benefit of being able to find grace as well as to receive mercy?
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
This chapter has made it clear that there is an open door for us to enter into God’s rest. It has also talked about the power of God’s word to keep us on track, and told us how we can receive mercy and find grace. In the next chapter we will explore further the high priestly ministry of Jesus.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
As you end this time of study as a group or an individual, think about how committed God is to seeing us enter into his rest.
Father God
Thank you for your commitment to seeing us released from our strivings,
and for opening up for us the rest you have known from creation.
We will never be worthy of that privilege, but we resolve to enter in,
trusting unreservedly in your mercy and grace.
Thank you too for the correction you bring through your word,
and for making Jesus our high priest
who sympathises with us in our weakness.
And it’s in his name that we pray,
Amen