Hebrews 4

We should be concerned for others who are not finding their rest in God. We can’t be hearers only, the hearing needs to be anchored in faith. Psalm 95 is referenced 3 times. Our rest mirrors that of God’s at creation. God gives us each our “today” to hear His voice. Joshua 21:44-45 tells of when Israel finally reached the promised land and rest. Sabbath rest is individual (whoever has entered God’s rest vs 10). The Bible makes everything plain, which is a huge plug for Bible Study . Jesus is a near high priest (an oxymoron to Israelites) who completely understands our struggles. But we can’t just hear and know, we have to go and receive.

The Israelites, the Hebrews’ famous ancestors, didn’t receive rest in the promised land because they were disobedient. But although they didn’t receive it, God’s promise remained that rest is available. Joshua finally did bring the people to rest, but even it wasn’t permanent, because David speaks of looking for rest years and years later!! All of the law is fulfilled in God’s completed Word. In the old covenant, they had to follow laws and rules and sacrifices. In all of these sacrifices, many failed to see the promise of Jesus. He is the High Priest, with all the credentials to be set apart, but he’s also the sacrifice that is offered on our behalf. In that, if we hear His voice and don’t harden our hearts to it, we can have boldness to go to Him for grace and mercy.

These verses change me by making me evaluate my faith. Am I turning from God every chance I get, hardening my heart to His life-changing and life-giving Word? I think faith in this chapter has more of the sense of “allegiance”, more than just a feeling. It’s claiming my “today” and pledging my life and my choices to God, knowing rest is the reward. Jesus is better.