Hebrews 4
Lesson from Wilderness wanderingsverses 1-5
Let us therefore fear – lest – a promise being left us of entering
into HIS rest any of you should seem to come short of it
FOR to us was the gospel preached – as well as to them
but the word preached did not profit them
not being mixed with faith in them that heard it
FOR 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
FOR HE spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise
And God did rest the seventh day from all HIS works
AND in this place again
IF they shall enter into MY rest
Lesson from warning given to Davidverses 6-7
Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein
and they to whom it was first preached entered not in
because of unbelief
AGAIN – HE limited a certain day saying in David
Today after so long a time – as it is said
Today if you will hear HIS voice
harden not your hearts
Lesson from Joshua regarding future restverses 8-10
FOR if Joshua had given them rest
then would he not afterward have spoken of another day
THERE remains therefore a rest to the people of God
for he that is entered into his rest
he also has ceased from his own works
as God did from HIS
Purpose of Word of God describedverses 11-13
Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest
lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief
FOR the word of God is quick – powerful
sharper than any two-edged sword
piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul – spirit – joints and marrow
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight
but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of HIM
with WHOM we have to do
Jesus Christ is our high priestverses 14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed
into the heavens Jesus the Son of God
let us hold fast our profession
FOR we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities
BUT was in all points tempted like as we are
YET without sin
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. (5399 “fear” [phobeo] means be afraid, reverence, to be seized with alarm, stand in awe, or dread)
DEVOTION: The chapter division here seems to cause some concern. The example of Israel in the wilderness wandering is brought up in the last chapter and continued here.
The inheritance of Israel was to be the Promised Land. They were to enter it with the promise of the assistance of God to help them conquer the people in the land. They were afraid to enter because of the giants in the land so the LORD judged them.
HIS judgment was that a whole generation was not going to enter the land and their children whom they thought would be killed were the ones who entered the land and received the inheritance. They didn’t mix their actions with faith in the belief in the power of God to do the impossible.
Now we move to the New Testament time and this rest that is promised to those who believe in Jesus Christ. What is our inheritance? The inheritance is an abundant life here on earth and heaven for eternity. We have the responsibility to store up treasures in heaven. Our service to the LORD when properly motive will gain us rewards in heaven for eternity.
The author of Hebrews wants the congregation to understand that the rest is still available to them. However, there is a possibility that they will not enter the rest or heaven if they come short of it.
Some of the believer thought they had come short of it for one reason or another. The author of Hebrews is trying to assure them that they have not come short of it because they have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
False teachers have come in to tell them that if they don’t do something they recommend they will not be able to enter heaven. It was a lie, but some of those in the congregation were starting to believe the lie.
We can be taught that if we don’t do something a false teacher tells us we will not be truly saved and enter into heaven when we die. Our faith is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone. Our service is based on our love for HIM. HE paid the full price for our salvation.
Watch out for legalism and license in the teachings of our leaders. We live under a law of liberty in Christ. Our liberty is not to be used for license. Our service is not to be based on our legalism.
CHALLENGE: Balance in the Christian life is hard but the LORD is working for us and with us to complete our understanding of the truth of HIS sacrifice for us.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 2 For to us was the gospel preached, as well as to them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (4786 “ mixed” [sugkerannumi] means tempered together, united, unified whole, to unite one thing with another, fit together, or assimilate)
DEVOTION: Good news was preached in the Old Testament. It was a message from God trust HIM for their deliverance. They were not to trust in their own power but in HIS power to defeat the enemies in the Promised Land.
They failed to trust HIM because they looked at the size of the people rather than the size of their God. HE was able to deliver them but HE wanted their trust. They had to put their foot in the water like they did in the Rea Sea to see HIS power but they were too afraid.
They didn’t mix the promise with faith. They had to take the step of faith to see God work. They wouldn’t take the step and because of that they didn’t enter into the rest of God.
Today we have to mix our profession with trust or faith in God being able to do HIS work in our life and in our world. HE is able. HE is looking for us to realize HE is able through HIS power to protect us and help us to enter into a proper relationship with HIM.
We know what the Bible says. What are we going to do with it? Is it profitable to us? The children of Israel hardened their hearts to the point that they didn’t think God was able to give them victory. They died in the wilderness because of this lack of trust.
CHALLENGE; Many people know the Bible and are religious but have never made a genuine life-changing change to follow Jesus.
: 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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. (2198 “quick” [zao] means to have life, be alive, lively, to be among the living, or to enjoy real life)
DEVOTION: Our Bible has stood the test of time. It has been taught against by many world leaders. People have predicted it would never last. People have made fun of it. Many have burned the Bible. Many have cursed the teachings of the Bible. Some want to limit the availability of the Bible.
The key reason for all of this is that people don’t want to answer to the God of the Bible. Here we find that the Bible is living and powerful. It is not a dead book. It is not like any other book found in our world.
It is a book that hits us on the inside more than on the outside. It attacks the inner man and his beliefs. It shows our inner thoughts and intents to us. We know what we are like by our study of the Word of God.
The Bible is a tool the LORD wants to use to change us from the inside out. If we allow it to work in our life there will be change that we never thought possible. We are to become new creatures in Christ. It will take a lifetime but the LORD never gives up on HIS children.
Our faith has to be mixed with trust in HIM to work a work in our life that will be seen by others. They will see the power of God in our life. They will see someone who they thought could never mature, mature.
Allow the Bible to work through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to change our thinking and actions and motives.
CHALLENGE: Are you willing to change under the leadership of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God in your life?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.(4834 “touched” [sumpatheo] means 1 to be affected with the same feeling as another, to sympathize with. 2 to feel for, have compassion on. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: Remember the old Bell commercial, “Reach out and touch someone”? That is what this verse says God did in the person of Jesus Christ. A synonym for “touched” is sympathize (which comes from the Greek word). The definition of sympathy is a feeling of pity or sorrow for someone else. But Jesus went further than sympathy—He underwent the same temptations and sufferings that we do, and therefore expresses empathy with us.
Jesus, according to the author of Hebrews, was fully God. But starting in this chapter, the author points out that Jesus was fully human as well. That would make Him the perfect high priest, since He experienced the same things that we experience. This even applies to His temptations. When we think of Jesus’ temptations, we often think only of those mentioned in Matthew 4 (and the parallel account in Luke). However, Jesus faced temptation on a daily basis, much the same as we do.
That is what makes it possible for us to cry out to Him for help when we face overwhelming temptation. Just today I missed an opportunity to reach out to Him when I was faced with temptation, and I confessed my lack of doing so. How much better it would be if I had simply called on the name of Jesus in the midst of the situation I was in!
God wants to help us, but sovereignly waits until we ask for help. His assistance is ready and waiting!
CHALLENGE: Do you respond to temptation by calling out the name of Jesus? If not, start now and He will help you in whatever way you need.
: 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (3954 “boldly” [parrhesia] means all out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, confidence, freedom in speaking, or unreservedness in speech.)
DEVOTION: The author of the book of Hebrews wants individuals to know that our purpose on this earth is to enter into the “rest” of God for eternity. We can only do it through Christ. There is no other way to get into heaven. We have an exclusive right to heaven because of Christ. All others are excluded from heaven.
The offer to enter God’s rest was given to the children of Israel in the wilderness. They chose not to enter the rest. All those who left Egypt except Joshua and Caleb never entered the Promised Land. They didn’t enter because of unbelief.
Jesus offers “rest” to all those who follow HIM. This rest is not only a rest from the burdens of life but a rest for eternity in heaven. HE wants those who believe to put our burdens on HIS shoulders and let HIM carry the load. HE wants us to trust HIM each day.
Once we have our eternal questions answered, we have to continue living on this earth until we die or Christ returns. One of the keys to facing each day is our prayer life. When we approach our Father, we need to be frank with HIM. HE wants to know what we are thinking. We don’t need to be disrespectful, but we need to be free to say what is going on in our lives. HE does know but HE wants us to spend time with HIM.
HE wants us to realize that we are dependent on HIM alone for our daily needs. HIS throne is one of grace. Remember grace is giving us what we don’t deserve. HE provides mercy that is new every morning but to obtain it we need to come into HIS presence and ask for it.
Remember mercy is not giving us what we do deserve. PTL. Have we asked for HIS mercy this day? Do we realize that everything we have comes from HIM? If we exclude HIM, HE can take it all away.
There needs to be frankness in our conversations with HIM. There has to be a freedom when we enter HIS presence. Remember that prayer is a conversation between us and our heavenly Father. The only reason we can do this is because of the blood of Christ that was shed for our sins. Jesus told HIS disciples to ask in HIS name and the Father would give it to them according to HIS will. Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us when we don’t know how to pray. All three persons of the Godhead are involved in our prayer life. Each has a function. We address the Father through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name.
CHALLENGE: Are we praying without ceasing in our daily walk with the LORD? When was the last time you prayed? Are you praying now for the LORD to work in your life? (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Boldly unto the throne of graceverse 16
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Gospelverse 2
Davidverse 7
Word of Godverse 12
Quick
Powerful
Sharper that any two-edged sword
Discerner of the thoughts and intents of heart
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Wrathverse 3
Works finishedverse 3
Foundation of the worldverse 3
Spoke on seventh dayverse 4
Godverses 4, 9, 10, 14
God rested on seventh dayverses 4, 10
Hear HIS voiceverse 7
People of Godverse 9
All things naked and open to HIMverse 13
Eye of Godverse 13
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesusverses 8, 14
HIS own workverse 10
Great high priestverse 14
Passes through the heavensverse 14
Son of Godverse 14
Jesus the Son of Godverse 14
High Priestverse 15
All pointed temptedverse 15
Without sinverse 15
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
First preached to themverse 6
Man verses 12, 15
soul
spirit
joints & marrow
feelings of infirmities
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Come short of restverse 1
Word preached not missed with faithverse 2
Unbeliefverses 6, 11
Hard heartsverse 7
Infirmitiesverse 15
Sinverse 15
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Fear of Godverse 1
Promiseverse 1
Rest verses 1, 3, 8-11
Faithverse 2
Believedverse 3
Works finished from foundation of worldverse 3
People of Godverse 9
Laborverse 11
Hold fast our professionverse 14
Boldnessverse 16
Throne of graceverse 16
Mercyverse 16
Graceverse 16
Help in time of needverse 16
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Davidverse 7
Church (New Testament people of God)
Gospel preachedverse 2
People of Godverse 9
Time of needverse 16
Last Things (Future Events)
Enter the restverses 3, 5, 8-11
Another dayverse 8
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QUOTES regarding passage
11 It is possible that this verse should be attached to the preceding paragraph but it seems meant to introduce an exhortation based on the penetrating power of the Word of God. Notice that the writer includes himself with his readers in urging a quick and serious effort to enter the rest “so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” Paul refers to the same generation to hammer home a similar lesson, and he regards the wilderness happenings as types (1 Cor 10:1–12; cf. typikōs, “examples,” v. 11). These earlier people had perished. Let the readers beware! (Morris, L. (1981). Hebrews. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 44). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Let us therefore give diligence (σπουδασωμεν οὐν [spoudasōmen oun]). Volitive subjunctive aorist of σπουδαζω [spoudazō], old verb to hasten (2 Tim. 4:9), to be eager and alert (1 Thess. 2:17). The exhortation has a warning like that in 4:1. That no man fall (ἱνα μη πεσῃ [hina mē pesēi]). Negative purpose with ἱνα μη [hina mē] and the second aorist active subjunctive of πιπτω [piptō], to fall. After the same example of disobedience (ἐν τῳ αὐτῳ ὑποδειγματι της ἀπειθειας [en tōi autōi hupodeigmati tēs apeitheias]). The unbelief is like that seen in the Israelites (3:12, 18; 4:2). ὑποδειγμα [Hupodeigma] is a late word from ὑποδεικνυμι [hupodeiknumi] (Matt. 3:7) and means a copy (John 13:15; James 5:10). The Israelites set a terrible example and it is so easy to copy the bad examples. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Heb 4:11). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
4:11. It follows logically from this that the readers should, along with the author (note, Let us), make every effort to enter that rest. Unlike the assurance which all Christians have that they possess eternal life and will be raised up to enjoy it in the presence of God (cf. John 6:39–40), the share of the companions of Messiah in His dominion over creation is attained by doing His will to the end (Rev. 2:26–27). The readers must therefore be warned by Israel’s failure in the desert and take care that they not follow Israel’s example of disobedience. (Hodges, Z. C. (1985). Hebrews. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 789). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
“Give diligence” is a good translation of this admonition. Diligence is the opposite of “drifting” (Heb. 2:1–3). How do we give diligence? By paying close attention to the Word of God. Israel did not believe God’s Word, so the rebels fell in the wilderness. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
In comparing the Word of God to a sword, the writer is not suggesting that God uses His Word to slaughter the saints! It is true that the Word cuts the heart of sinners with conviction (Acts 5:33; 7:54), and that the Word defeats Satan (Eph. 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 man. The Word is a “discerner” or “critic.” The Israelites criticized God’s Word instead of allowing the Word to judge them. Consequently, they lost their inheritance. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 289). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
4:11–13 The concluding third part of the exposition of Ps 95:7–11 emphasizes the accountability which comes to those who have heard the Word of God. Scripture records the examples of those in the wilderness with Moses, those who entered Canaan with Joshua, and those who received the same opportunity in David’s day. It is the Word which must be believed and obeyed and the Word which will judge the disobedient (cf. 1Co 10:5–13). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Heb 4:11–13). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 11. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, &c.] Not eternal rest; this is not to be entered into now; nor is an entrance into it to be obtained by labour; salvation is not by works; eternal life is a free gift; good works don’t go before to prepare heaven for the saints, but follow after: nor is the saints’ entrance into it a precarious thing; God has promised it, and provided it for his people; Christ is in the possession of it, and is preparing it for them; and the spirit of God is working them up for the self-same thing, and Christ will give them an abundant entrance into it: but the Gospel rest is here meant, that rest which believers now enter into, and is at this present time for them, ver. 3, 10 and though true believers are entered into it, yet their rest, peace, and joy in Christ, is not full; they enter by degrees into it, and by believing enjoy more of it: and this is to be laboured for by prayer, hearing the word, and attendance on ordinances; and this requires strength, diligence, and industry; and supposes difficulties and discouragements, through the corruptions of the heart, and the temptations of Satan; and this is designed to quicken and awaken a godly jealousy in God’s people, over themselves: lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief; into the sin of unbelief, and into punishment through it, as the Israelites did; who sinning, their carcasses fell in the wilderness, and they entered not into God’s rest, as he swore they should not: true believers may fall into sin, and from a degree of the exercise of grace, and of the steadfastness of the Gospel; but they cannot finally and totally fall away, because they are kept by the power of God; yet they may so fall, as to come short, or at least seem to come short of enjoying the rest and peace of the Gospel state: external professors may fall from the Gospel, and the religion they have professed, and come short of the glory they expected; and fall into just and deserved punishment, in like manner as the unbelieving Israelites did. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 396). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Quote: Hebrews 4:12-13
1. Reflect on “God means what he says. What he says goes.” What do these two short sentences tell you about your Bible?
2. Why do you think the translator chose to use the words “sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel”?
3. How has God cut into your own “doubt and defense”? According to the phrase that follows, what is the purpose of God slicing away your doubts and defenses?
4. What do the last two sentences of the verse tell you about God’s Word? Thinking about your own life, how do these sentences make you feel?
5. Where do you believe God would like to use his “surgeon’s scalpel” in your life?
Stained with Blood So Divine
“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, …one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water.” (John 19:33-34)
As with many of the great hymns, the verses of “The Old Rugged Cross” tell a story when considered in sequence. The first verse states the general doctrine of the cross; the second speaks of the necessity of the incarnation to accomplish the cross’ purpose; the third, quoted below, gives details of the crucifixion and what it accomplished, and the last verse rehearses the results, both now and in the future.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For t’was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
That old rugged cross was stained with blood, as is obvious from our text. But this blood was special, for “ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold….But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:18-20).
The divine Lamb of God suffered and died on the cross, “in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14), “that he might sanctify the people with his own blood” (Hebrews 13:12).
But the old rugged cross was not the only thing stained that day, for “the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The saints in heaven are portrayed as having “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross.
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana to demonstrate His deity to His disciples.
INSIGHT
In John 2:24 we read, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them.” The word commit is the same word that is translated “faith” or “believe” in other places in the Bible. It gives us additional insight concerning the concept of faith in the Bible.
Faith is more than just intellectual understanding. Once someone understands the Gospel, he must make a personal commitment to it. He must entrust himself to it. In reality, to believe in Jesus Christ is to commit one’s self to Him.
PRAYER
· Offer your praise to Jesus, who, as God, offers us salvation:
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power
(Psalms 21:13). (Quiet Walk)
THE CROSS AND JUDGMENT
He will judge the world in righteousness. Acts 17:31
Christ on the cross says, “Now is the judgment of this world” (John 12:31). He prophesies what is going to happen. He is to be the judge. “He [God] will judge the world in righteousness,” says the apostle Paul to the Athenians, “by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” And Revelation 20:12-13 tells us that the books will be opened, and every man will have to stand before Him. Those who died at sea, those who died on land, those who were blown to nothing in the air—all will come back before Him in the final judgment.
And the simple message of the whole of the Bible is that the world, everything that is opposed to God and trusts in man and in his own power, is all going to be judged and condemned to everlasting misery and destruction. Now you see why Paul glories in the cross. It is the cross alone that saves any one of us from the destruction that is coming to the world. The whole world lies guilty before God, “for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). The whole world is going to be judged and is going to be destroyed.
We are all born in the world and of it. And unless we can be separated from that world, we will share its fate. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is crucified unto me, and I am separated from it. How? Let me make it clear. On that cross, the Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself the punishment that is coming to all who belong to the world. That is why He died; He was receiving the punishment of the sins of men.
A Thought to Ponder: It is the cross alone that saves any one of us from the destruction that is coming to the world.
(From The Cross, pp. 102-103, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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