Hebrews Chapter 4

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

Hebrews Chapter 3

THEMES

Overarching Theme: Standing firm in the realities of a better covenant

Chapter Three Theme: Learning a lesson from the wilderness

BACKGROUND

In chapter 2 we saw the importance of appreciating the humanity of Jesus. Now we are presented with a contrast between the role of Moses and the ministry of Jesus. The writer then brings a lesson from Israel’s time of wandering in the wilderness, using Psalm 95:7-11 to emphasise the opportunities they missed. It is a pivotal chapter as it paves the way for greater contrasts to come.

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Make sure you watch the video covering Hebrews 3 and have a Bible ready in front of you.

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Verses 1-6

These verses start by encouraging us to fix our eyes on Jesus who is the builder of the house and head over it. In this the writer compares him with Moses who was faithful in the house. The writer then states that we are the house,as long as we hold firmly to our confidence and hope.

Question

• How does ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus’ help us to hold firm to our confidence and hope?

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Verses 7-14 

Here the writer explains the significance of the Holy Spirit’s message in Psalm 95:7-11 about not hardening our hearts. These verses are then used to show the importance of encouraging each other to stand firm. The writer particularly emphasises the importance of the word ‘Today.'

Question

• When the writer speaks about being ‘hardened by sin’s deceitfulness’, what  does it mean and how can it happen?

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Verses 15-19 

These verses are introduced by a repetition of Psalm 95:7-8. The rebellion referred to happened at a place called Meribah, which means quarrelling. The writer focuses on the consequences of the Israelites’ rebellion and unbelief in the wilderness, even  though Moses was leading them to freedom out of Egypt. This is in preparation for further lessons to come in Chapter 4..

Question

• Given the way the writer of Hebrews is making his case, this could be a good moment to read Romans 15:4. Here Paul speaks of learning from things written in the past. Discuss the possibility of things in the past not only having been written down for us to learn from but actually having been set in place for us to understand God’s overall plan. 

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

This chapter introduces us to learning lessons from the past. This was important for Jewish believers in Jesus, as God had chosen their nation to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus. This makes their history relevant for us too.

PRAYER & REFLECTION

As you end your time of study as a group or individually, focus your thoughts on God’s thoroughness in preparing the world for the coming of Jesus. 

Father God

Your patience throughout history touches our hearts.

You endured more from your creation than we can ever imagine,

Yet your love and commitment never faltered.

Help us to learn from that as we seek to encourage each other.

We want to stand firm in you and be strong for one another.

Strengthen us as we turn away from rebellion and unbelief

and fix our eyes on Jesus as our apostle and high priest.

In his name we pray,

Amen