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Therefore, we should make haste to enter into that Rest1 so that we should not fall into that same example2 of [Hebrew] disobedience.3
| 1 | We should make haste to enter into that Rest: Or, KJV: let us labour; ASV: give diligence; ALF: earnestly strive; TCN: make every effort; BER: exert ourselves; WMS: do our best; PME: let us be eager. Personal effort is required to benefit from Gods Rest. |
| 2 | So that we should not fall into that same example: [KJV] Or, GDS: fail. Just as God rejected those Hebrews He may also reject a Christian disciple who is disobedient. |
| 3 | Disobedience: Compare the example of Jesus with the Hebrews in the notes on Hebrews 5:8. If Christ was perfected by obedience, so also his “brothers” must remain obedient. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Hebrews 4:11 as the theme verse of chapter four – God’s Sabbath. Having established in the previous chapter that a Christian will only become a partaker of Christ and enter God’s Rest by obedience, Paul continues with this theme. Rather than teach “once saved, always saved,” Paul writes, “We should fear that at some time some one of us may fall short of [God’s Rest].” [1-5] A person enters God’s Rest by faithful obedience. The apostle references Psalm 95:11 and Genesis 2:2 to show that there is a great resting or sabbath on God’s part.
The disobedient Israelites fell short of the privilege of attaining unto God’s Sabbath. [6-10] Only those who have desisted from their own works will enter God’s Rest. Paul then urges Christians to “do their utmost to enter God’s Rest.” [11-13] Christians can fall into the same bad example of the Israelites and fail to enter God’s rest. Paul then introduces some thoughts regarding the Word of God and its ability to judge thoughts and motives. He does so because every Christian will have to give God an “accounting” on the Day of Judgment.
So, back to Paul’s theme beginning with Hebrews 1:2 – listen to God’s Son – as Christians must hold fast to God’s sympathetic high priest. [14-16] Christ has become “a great High Priest who has ascended through the heavens.” This High Priest can sympathize with our weaknesses because he was tested just as we are. So Christians should approach God’s Throne of Grace with confidence.
Abba our Father bless those who have desisted from their own works.
[15 August 2002]
Since this glorious rest, the heavenly rest, remains for faithful believers, we should seek to enter upon it, and especially take heed that we do not come short through unbelieving disobedience as did Israel.
