Hebrews 4:1 - Homilies By W. Jones

Fear of failing to realize the promised rest.

"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left," etc. Let us notice—

I. THE GREAT PROMISE . "A promise being left of entering into his rest." Later in the chapter ( Hebrews 4:6-9 ) the writer shows from the Old Testament that such a promise was left to Christians. The rest promised is God's rest—"his rest;" because:

1. It corresponds with his.

"Absence of occupation is not rest;

A mind quite vacant is a mind distrest."

(Cowper)

Robertson well says, "In creation the rest of God is exhibited as a sense of power which nothing wearies."

"And central peace subsisting at the heart

Of endless agitation."

(Wordsworth)

"These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation," etc.

2. It is conferred by him. God is the Giver of this rest. He bestows it

II. THE GRAVE POSSIBILITY . "Lest any one of you should seem to have come short of it." The grave possibility is that when the great testing-time shall come any one should be found without a personal participation in the promised rest. The word "seem" does not indicate the apparent as distinguished from the real; but is, as Alford says, "a mild term, conveying indeed a sterner intimation behind it." But how should any one come short of the promised rest? Clearly by unbelief, even as the Israelites who left Egypt came short of the rest of Canaan. To these Hebrew Christians there was more than a possibility of the failure of their faith in Jesus Christ. His system had no imposing ceremonial, no pomp or pageantry to commend it, as Judaism had. He himself was despised and rejected by the conventionally and officially great and noble, and was condemned and crucified. The claims of Christianity upon the acceptance of men were spiritual, and could only be spiritually discerned. Hence the danger of those to whom the text was primarily addressed. And still men are in danger of coming short of the attainment of the great promise. This peril arises from the temptation to seek satisfaction in visible and material things rather than in invisible and spiritual things; or to seek for ease and happiness rather than for peace and rest; or to seek for rest in the creature rather than in the Creator. Or the danger may arise from the temptation to absorption in present pursuits without due consideration of their relation to the future and the eternal.

III. THE SOLEMN EXHORTATION . "Let us therefore fear," etc. This fear is not synonymous with dread or terror; but it indicates a humble, reverent, watchful, prayerful spirit. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," etc. How would this fear guard one against coming short of the promised rest?

1. This fear is the antithesis and corrective of self-will and presumption. In humility there is security. "Gird yourselves with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble."

2. This fear will lead to wariness and watchfulness. It will incite to the exercise of caution and care.

3. This fear will lead to distrust of self and confidence in God. "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge." And he who puts his trust in God shall not fail to attain unto the promised rest. "Let us therefore fear, lest," etc.—W.J.