All of us know how important it is for us to get physical rest. We cannot function at our best if we do not get enough rest. When we are sick, physical rest is necessary for us to get better.
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Just as rest is important for us physically, rest is also necessary for us spiritually. In the verses of our lesson, the writer talked about rest. He showed that Jesus gives a better rest than did Moses and Joshua.
In addition to showing how Jesus is better than Moses and Joshua in the rest He gives, this section also issues a warning. The first warning in the book of Hebrews was concerning the danger of drifting from the Word because of neglect (Hebrews 2:1-4). In this portion of Scripture, the writer explained the danger of doubting and disbelieving the Word because of hardness of the heart. It is important that we understand the background of this section, which is the exodus of Israel from Egypt and their experience of unbelief in the wilderness.
The word "wherefore" reaches back into the letter to the preceding arguments. In view of the fact that Jesus Christ is better than the prophets, the angels, and Moses, the warning is not to harden their hearts in renouncing their professed faith in Jesus Christ and in returning to the sacrifices.
THE SPIRITUAL LESSONS IN THE GEOGRAPHY OF ISRAEL'S EXPERIENCES
To understand these verses, we must understand that there are spiritual lessons in the geography of Israel's experiences. The nation's bondage in Egypt is an illustration of a sinner's bondage in this world. Just as Israel was delivered from Egypt by the blood of the lambs and the power of God, even so a sinner who believes on Christ is delivered from the bondage of sin by the blood of the Lamb of God. Colossians 1:13-14, "(God the Father) who hath delivered us from the power
of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In Whom we have
redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins..." Jesus Christ is the "Lamb of God"
whose death, burial, and resurrection have made our deliverance from sin a reality.
It was not God's will that Israel remain either in Egypt or in the wilderness. His desire was the people enter their glorious inheritance in the land of Canaan. But when Israel got to the border of their inheritance, they delayed because they doubted the promise of God (Numbers 13-14). "We are not able," wept the ten spies and the people. "We are able with God's help," cried Joshua and Caleb. Because the people went backward in unbelief instead of forward by faith, they missed their inheritance and died in the wilderness. It was the new generation that possessed the land and entered into their rest.
What does Canaan represent to us as Christians today? It represents our spiritual inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:3, 11,15-23).
Ephesians 1:3, 11,15-23: 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ:…11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will:…15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and
love unto all the saints, 16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of
you in my prayers; 17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is
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the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in
Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in
the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be
the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him
that filleth all in all.
It is unfortunate that some of our hymns and gospel songs use Canaan as a picture of heaven and
"Crossing the Jordan" as a picture of death. Since Canaan was a place of battles, and even of defeats, it is not an illustration of heaven. Israel had to cross the river by faith, which is a picture of the believer as he dies to self and the world (Romans 6) and claims the inheritance by faith.
They had to step out by faith (Joshua 1:3) and claim the land for themselves, just as believers today must do. Canaan is NOT a picture of heaven but a picture of being in the place of God's will, serving God, being blessed of God, and being tested as we serve God.
Joshua 1:3: Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I
given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
Now we can understand that the wilderness wanderings represent the experiences of believers who will not claim their spiritual inheritances in Christ and who doubt God's Word and live in restless unbelief. To be sure, God is with them as He was with Israel, but they do not enjoy the fullness of God's blessing. They are "out of Egypt" but they are not yet "in Canaan."
THE REST
Let us consider the meaning of the word "rest." The "rest" of Chapter 3:11, 18; Chaper 4:1, 3, 5, 8, 11 is the Greek word "katapausis." It denotes a cessation, as from work, pain, travel, trials; a causing to cease, or a putting to rest. The "rest" of Chapter 4:9 is the Greek word "sabbatismos"
and indicates a Sabbath festal celebration, a holy keeping of Sabbath. It indicates the rest of the first word and considerably more.
Consider the kinds of rest. God's Sabbath rest (Chapter 4:4; Genesis 2:2). This speaks of when God ceased from His creation activities. The Sabbath rest is a picture of our rest in Christ through salvation (Matthew 11:28). This gives the believer rest from the guilt and burden of sin (Romans 8:2; Hebrews 9:13-14). The believer has rest full in Christ's work for him, with a conscience cleansed by Christ's blood from legal works or from hoping in the flesh providing anything.
Genesis 2:2: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.
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Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free
from the law of sin and death.
Hebrews 9:13-14: 13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an
heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14How
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the
living God?
Look at Israel's rest in Canaan (Chapter 3:11, 18-19). The Canaan rest is a picture of our present rest as we claim our inheritance in Christ. This is the rest of submission.
Deuteronomy 12:9-11, "For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the
inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you. But when ye go over Jordan,
and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when
he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His
name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt
offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand,
and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD."
Joshua 21:43-45: 43And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware
to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. 44And the
LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their
fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD
delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45There failed not ought of any good
thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
The future rest (Chapter 4:9). This rest will be the rest in heaven. The word "rest" comes from the Greek word "sabbathismos." This is the only place where this word is used. When the saints enter Heaven, it will be like sharing God's great Sabbath rest with all labors and battles ended.
Revelation 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors;
and their works do follow them." "Rest"—"anapauo"—to rest up, to pause, to cease from labor; to cause to rest up; to cause to cease from labor.
The three rests may be described in the following way.
a.
PAST. God's Sabbath rest Israel's Canaan rest
b.
PRESENT. Salvation rest Submissive rest (victory in Jesus)
c.
FUTURE Heaven
THE THREE-FOLD WARNING
Let us take heed (Hebrews 3:7-19).
Hebrews 3:7-19: 7Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his
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voice, 8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in
the wilderness: 9When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works
forty years. 10Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do
alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11So I sware in my
wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in
any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13But
exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we
hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, To
day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16For
some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt
by Moses. 17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that
had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that
they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that
they could not enter in because of unbelief.
The writer called upon his readers to take heed to the sad history of Israel and the important lessons it teaches. The writer quotes from Psalm 95:7-11, which records God's response to Israel's tragic spiritual condition. God had delivered His people from Egypt and had cared for them, revealing His power in many signs and wonders. Israel saw all of this and benefited from it, but the experience did not bring them closer to God nor make them trust Him more. All that God did for them did not benefit them spiritually. In fact, just the opposite took place. They harden their hearts against God. They put God to the test, and He did not fail them. Yet they failed Him (Hebrews 3:7-9).
Psalm 95:7-11: 7For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the
sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8Harden not your heart, as in
the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9When your
fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10Forty years long was I
grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and
they have not known my ways: 11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they
should not enter into my rest.
The heart of every problem is a problem in the heart. The people of Israel, except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, erred in their hearts (Chapter 3:10), which means their hearts wandered from God and His Word. They also had evil hearts of unbelief (Chapter 3:12). They did not believe that God would give them the victory in Canaan. They had seen God perform great signs in Egypt. Yet they doubted He was adequate for the challenge of Canaan.
When a person has an erring heart and an unbelieving heart, the result will also be a hard heart.
This is a heart that is insensitive to the Word and work of God. So hard was the hearts of Israel that they wanted to return to Egypt. Of course, all of this history spoke to the hearts of the readers of this letter because they were in danger of "going back" themselves.
God's judgment fell on Israel in the wilderness at Kadesh-barnea. That entire congregation was condemned to physical death, and only the new generation would enter the land (Chapter 3:10-53
HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
11). But what message does this bring to the believer today? No believer, Jew, or Gentile could go back to the Mosaic legal system since the temple was gone and there was no priesthood. But every believer is tempted to give up his confession of Christ and go back into the world system's life of compromise and bondage. This is especially true during times of persecution and suffering. The fires of persecution have always purified the Church because suffering separates true believers from the counterfeit. True believers are willing to suffer for Christ, and they hold firmly to their convictions and their confessions of faith (Chapter 3:6, 14). We are not saved by holding to our confession. The fact that we hold to our confession is proof that we are God's children.
The sin of Israel is stated in Verse l2: "departing from the living God." The Greek word gives us the English word "apostasy." This is the only place in Hebrews where this word is used. Does
"apostasy," departing from the living God, mean abandoning one's faith and therefore being condemned forever? That does not fit into the context. Israel departed from the living God by refusing God's will for their lives and stubbornly wanting to go their own way back to Egypt. God did not permit them to return to Egypt. Rather, He disciplined them in the wilderness. God did not allow them to return to bondage.
The emphasis in Hebrews is that true believers have an eternal salvation because they trust a living Savior Who constantly intercedes for them. But the writer is careful to point out that this confidence is no excuse for sin. God disciplines His children. REMEMBER that Canaan is not a picture of heaven but of the believer's present spiritual inheritance in Christ. Believers who doubt God's Word and rebel against Him do not miss heaven, but they do miss out on the blessings of their inheritance and fellowship today. They also suffer the chastening of God.
NOTE: Both Moses and Aaron are spoken of as being children of God and are in heaven. But both of them died in the wilderness and did not enter Canaan. Yet they were saved.
Let us fear (Hebrews 4:1-8).
Hebrews 4:1-8: 1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering
into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the
gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them,
not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3For we which have believed do
enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into
my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For
he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the
seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into
my rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to
whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7Again, he limiteth
a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day
if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8For if Jesus had given them
rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Believers today may enter and enjoy their spiritual inheritance (the abundant life, John 10:10) in Christ. We must be careful lest we fail to believe God's Word, because it is only as the Word is
"mixed with faith" that it can accomplish its purposes. The argument is given in several 54
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propositions.
John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
God finished His work and rested. His rest had been available since creation. The Jews failed to enter into their rest. Many years later (Psalm 95:7-11) God said that a rest was still available. That
"today" is still here. This means that Joshua did not lead Israel into the true or perfect rest, because a rest remains. (Note that the name "Jesus" in Chapter 4:8, KJV ought to read "Joshua." "Jesus" is the Greek form of "Joshua.")
Psalm 95:7-11: 7For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the
sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8Harden not your heart, as in
the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9When your
fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10Forty years long was I
grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and
they have not known my ways: 11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they
should not enter into my rest.
The Canaan rest for Israel is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Christ when we surrender to Him. When we come to Christ by faith, we find salvation rest, (Matthew 11:28). When we yield and learn from Him and obey Him by faith, we enjoy submission rest, (Matthew 11:29-30). The first is "peace with God." (Romans 5:1). The second is the "peace of God." (Philippians 4:6-8). It is by believing that we enter into rest. (Hebrews 4:3). It is by obeying by faith and surrendering to his will that His rest enters us.
Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.
Matthew 11:29, 30: 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light.
Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ:
Philippians 4:4-6: 4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5Let your
moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God.
The hearer of the word will die in his sins if he fails to put his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, just as the wilderness wanderers died a physical death because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:15-4:8).
Hebrews 3:15-4:8: 15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not
your hearts, as in the provocation. 16For some, when they had heard, did
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provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17But with whom was
he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell
in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his
rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in
because of unbelief….1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of
entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us
was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3For we which have
believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall
enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the
world. 4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God
did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall
enter into my rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein,
and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time;
as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8For if Jesus
had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Let us labor (Hebrews 4:9-13).
Hebrews 4:9-13: 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For
he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God
did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief. 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in
his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom
we have to do.
"Labor" comes from a Greek word which means "to speed, to make haste, as manifested in diligence, earnestness, or zeal; to give diligence, be in diligence. Verse 11 could be rendered, "Let us give diligence to enter into rest." OR "Let us be eager to enter into that rest."
Diligence is the opposite of "drifting." (Chapter 2:1-4). We give diligence by paying close attention to the Word of God and by ready to obey at once the Word of God by faith (Colossians 3:1-3).
Israel did not believe God's Word; therefore, the rebels fell in the wilderness. Believers cannot be out of fellowship with God and still prove by their works that they are saved.
Romans 10:17: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In comparing the Word of God to a sword (Chapter 4:12), the writer is not suggesting that God uses His Word to slaughter saints. It is true that the Word cuts to the heart of the sinner with conviction (Acts 5:33; 7:54), and the Word defeats Satan (Ephesians 6:17). The Greek word translated "sword" means a short sword or dagger. The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose the inner heart of a person. The word is a "discerner" or critic (kritikos— one 56
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who is able to judge. The Israelites criticized God's Word instead of allowing the Word to judge them. Consequently, they lost their inheritance.
Acts 5:33: When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to
slay them.
Acts 7:54: When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they
gnashed on him with their teeth.
Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God:
Of course, God sees our hearts (Chapter 4:13); but we do not always know what is there (Jeremiah 17:9). God uses the Word to enable us to see the sin and unbelief in our own hearts. The Word exposes our hearts; and then, if we trust God, the Word enables our hearts to obey God and claim His promises. This is why each believer should be diligent to apply himself to hear and heed God's Word. In the Word, we see ourselves as we really are. This experience enables us to be honest with God, to trust His will, and to obey Him.
Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:
who can know it?
Conclusion
Before Joshua conquered Jericho, he went out to survey the situation, and he met the Lord Jesus Christ. Joshua 5:13-15. Joshua discovered that he was SECOND in command. The Lord had a sword in His hand, and Joshua fell at His feet in complete submission. It was this action in private that gave Joshua his public victory.
Joshua 5:13-15: 13And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted
up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his
sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art
thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the
host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and
did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15And the
captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot;
for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
We too claim our spiritual inheritance by surrendering to Him and trusting His Word. We must be aware of and evil heart of unbelief. It is a wicked thing not to believe God's Word. Therefore, while we are doubting God's Word, we are out of fellowship with Him, and this causes us to miss many blessings which God would give us if we would obey.
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