Chapter Four
The Promise Still Stands
4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”
The author continues the comparison between the people of Israel rejecting God’s promises at Meribah, the location where they were when the twelve spies returned from the Promised Land, to those unwilling to listen and accept Jesus as their Savior. Both groups received good news but those that were being led out of Egypt did not have faith that God would keep His promises and therefore the good news did not benefit them. For those who believe in Jesus, they will enter His rest, but as for those who choose to reject and not believe, the author returns to Psalm 95:11 to quote God in saying, “They shall not enter my rest.” Even though the ‘rest’ God is offering was available from the last day of creation, the beginning of the world, those that fail to trust in Jesus will not enter His rest.
It is interesting to note that the author states that the promise of entering God’s rest still stands. This offer is more than a physical rest, God’s offer of rest was made possible through Jesus and is still available today. The author’s primary goal in writing this epistle is to persuade unbelievers, especially Jews, to accept Jesus. But also note that he is also calling believers, “let us,” for fear that anyone might fail in reaching the rest Jesus is offering. It should be important to every Christian to accept that the duty and responsibility to help unbelievers hear and learn about Jesus (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).
4:6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
For those that have yet to enter God’s rest, the author is encouraging them to do so as David, the author of Psalm 95, the psalm that he has been citing encouraged them to do, that is to accept the rest being offered today. If they hear the truth, they are not to harden their hearts, but instead receive the rest.
4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
The author now refers to the time when the people of Israel did enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua and were able to conquer those that were inhabiting the land. Except, however, Joshua did not complete the task, as many of the enemies remained in the land. Plus, the people did not remain faithful to God who then forced them out. So, at best, Joshua only provided a temporary period of rest. If Joshua did provide rest for the people (as some Jews might argue), the author asks why then would God speak of another day as He has done in Psalm 95 and in many other passages in His Word? There still remains a Sabbath-like rest for the people of God. For those that have entered the rest provided for them by Jesus can rest from their work, just as God did when He rested on the seventh day of creation. There is no longer a single day of Sabbath rest, Christians enjoy the rest seven days a week, every day.
4:11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
This verse seems to be self-contradictory, asking people to strive (Greek ‘spoudasōmen’,[1] to make every effort, to be eager) to enter the rest, in other words, do work to rest. While the gift of salvation is offered free of charge, with absolutely nothing else being required (to think one could add effort for their own salvation could be considered heresy), Christians need to realize that serving God is a priority and that each has a role in helping others find Christ (see verse one).
4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The author is pointing out that the written Word of God is just as if Jesus Himself was speaking verbally to the reader. The Word of God is both living (see 1 Peter 1:23) and active (Greek ‘energēs’,[2] referring to energy engaged in work, dynamic, powerful, effective). Just as if you were listening to God talking to you in person, the text of His Word is alive and speaks to you in ways that address your current needs, with power that can heal, encourage, change, and reconcile. The Word of God is also sharper than any two-edged sword. Many have interpreted the concept of the two edges in many ways, but it is clear that the author is referring to penetrating and cutting between the soul (Greek ‘psychēs’[3]) and the spirit (Greek ‘pneumatos’),[4] while the debate of what those terms designate continues,[5] the mention of joints and marrow along with discernment of thoughts and intention of the heart, seems to indicate body and non-body, or body and mind. The Word of God is alive, powerful and influences both the physical and spiritual, ultimately providing guidance and judgment to both. The Word of God should never be trivialized or ignored, it is after all, from God. And no one can hide from God, He sees everything and knows everything, including any hidden motives and all thoughts. At the end, regardless if someone doesn’t choose to follow God, or even believe in His existence, that person will give an account for their decisions in life (see Revelation 20:11-15).
Jesus is the Great High Priest
4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The role of the high priest was clearly identified in the Torah, being the primary intermediary between God and man. Plus, atonement for the other priests and the people of Israel was performed each year on the Day of Atonement by the high priest. The author now identifies Jesus as the great high priest. He is our intercessor, one who can sympathize with everyone’s weaknesses (Greek ‘astheneiais’,[6] sickness, weakness) and understands temptation, yet did not sin. The author again encourages that in full confidence, knowing these things, to draw near to Jesus on the throne of grace so that they can receive mercy and find grace to help them. Even though the text states to draw near to Him when in time of need, that should be the practice of every Christian every day, as we are always in need.
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[1] Strong’s Greek 4704.
[2] Strong’s Greek 1756.
[3] Strong’s Greek 5590.
[4] Strong’s Greek 4151.
[5] See Considerations under Genesis 1:31 regarding Body, Soul and Spirit.
[6] Strong’s Greek 769.