Some people meditate. Some people try yoga. Some people limit their caffeine. Some people pray. Some
people medicate. Some people check out the internet for answers when they can’t sleep. This is one on the
articles I discovered.
Here are the questions you might be asked:
1. Do you know what kind of rest that God is offering you?
The word rest is used 13 times in chapters 3 and 4. (It used 44xs in the N.T. in 43 verses)
The word simply means: “reposing down” applies to the place of rest (our abode) ‘enter my humble abode’
The word "rest" is used in five different senses in this section:
A. God's Sabbath rest of Gen 2:2 and (Heb 4:4, 10)
B. Canaan, the rest for Israel after wandering for forty years (3:11, etc.)
C. The believer's present salvation rest in Christ (4:3,10; See Isa. 57:20)
D. The overcomer's present rest of victory (4:11)
E. The future eternal rest in heaven (4:9)
I have good news! All but one of these is available to you! (Can you identify the one not available to you? B
The rests that are available to you are superior to anything that Moses (or Joshua) could offer to Israel!
2. What is the basis for this rest?
A. It is based on the promise made by God (4:1, 9)
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. Heb 4:8-10 NKJV
Notice the source of this rest: v. 1 -- His rest, v. 3 -- My rest, v. 5 -- My rest, v. 10 -- His rest
B. It is based on the place made by God (John 14:1-3)
3. What other type of rest might be important to me?
It offers me us a rest from all of our daily struggles and burdens! (Matt. 11:28, 29; I Peter 5:7)
This is not only about our future rest but how does it help me now?
4:4b, 10 the word here “On the seventh day, God rested.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. Matt 11:28-29 NKJV
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7 NKJV
The rest God is offering covers the entire scope of our life! From salvation to heaven!
4. When can I expect to enter this rest? (4:4b, 4:10, 4:11) 4:11 Let us Labor. . .”
Labor: "Give diligence" is a good translation of this admonition. Diligence is the opposite of "drifting"
(Heb 2:13). How do we give diligence? We complete the life of faith that God has given!
When all the work was finished. Illustrated by God’s work ethic: God rested after the work was over
The Hymn writer said: “When all my labors and trials are o’er; and I am safe on that beautiful shore,
just to be near the dear Lord I adore, that will be glory for me!
5. What is required to enter this rest?
A. Let us therefore fear. . . come short of it
how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,
and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, Heb. 2:3 NKJV
They failed to heed the warnings! They missed the opportunities!
Constant message of salvation:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,” Heb 3:7-8 NKJV
B. Let us therefore never drift away Heb. 2:2
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” NKJV
They failed to enter that rest because of disobedience stemming from unbelief.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,
The just shall live by faith. Rom 1:17 KJV (Also See Heb. 10:26-31; 12:21)
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. NKJV
Phil 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
NKJV
And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling." Heb. 12:21 NKJV