Daily Writing

Sunday, 23 September 2018

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’”
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.Hebrews 4:3

Again as with the previous verse, the word “for” is used to build one thought upon another. Verse 4:1 said, “Therefore.” That called for the reader to consider the lesson to the people about not entering God’s rest because of unbelief, as stated in Chapter 3. He then said, “For,” to say that the same good news of God’s rest which was conveyed in the past was again conveyed to the recipients of the epistle, showing that it was still attainable. However, those in the past did not profit from the message because of unbelief. With this understood, he now again says, “For.”

Each preposition is chosen to build a case concerning God’s rest and how to enter it. Understanding this, he says, “For we who have believed do enter that rest.” The thought looks backward and forward. “Believed” is contrasted to the unbelief of verse 4:2, while “enter that rest” looks forward to what he will say about the unbelievers as this verse continues.

The statement made by the author shows the certainty of the matter. The words “having believed” are from an aorist participle in the Greek. The action of entering the rest is accomplished in the belief. In other words, it points to the moment when the person put his faith in the finished work of Jesus. It was offered, it was accepted, and the rest was entered. There is nothing conditional about the matter. We are not in the process of entering, nor are we on the way to doing so. Rather, as Vincent’s Word studies says, it “is a fact which characterizes us as believers.” God’s rest has been attained through belief.

The importance of this statement cannot be overstated. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is the place where God’s rest is found. He is the place of rest which the Sabbath only anticipated in type and picture. When the Sabbath was given in Exodus 20, it said –

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11

The Sabbath was given because it was based on the seventh-day rest of God. The author will refer to that seventh day in verse 4:4. The Sabbath was only a type of the Christ to come. He who is the means of access into that seventh-day rest. When a person believes in Christ, they enter into the true Sabbath rest of God. The substance (Christ) replaces the mere shadow (Sabbath observance). This is what Paul refers to in Colossians 2:16, 17 –

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

We are no longer bound to the shadow because we have entered into the substance; we are in God’s true rest. To support this, he then returns again to Scripture with the words, “as He has said.” In this, he will repeat the verse from Psalm 95:11 which he cited in verse 3:11 –

“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’”

He has logically built his case. There was 1) a promise of Israel entering God’s rest under the Old Covenant. However, because of unbelief, 2) entry into that rest was denied. And yet, 3) the psalmist says, “Today,” when calling for hearing God’s voice. He is renewing the promise of entry into that rest. Now, 4) the author speaks of belief in Christ (verse 3:1) as allowing entrance into that same rest, which is 5) guaranteed the moment belief in His finished work is exercised.

The entire thought is given, and will continue to be explained, for the same reason as the rest of the book of Hebrews. It is a call to come to Christ through the New Covenant, and to not rely on the Old for one’s relationship with God. The author is showing the “better than” of Christ over Moses, and the superiority of the New over the Old. Finishing up the verse, he now says, “although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” This will continue to be explained in the coming verse. But for now, the question is, “What works?”

There are works which are said to have been finished “from the foundation of the world.” There is the promise of a future access into God’s rest for the people of God. He cannot merely be speaking of the rest which is spoken of in Genesis 2:2 (which will be cited next in verse 4:4), because that was before the time of Moses. Further, the words used for “rest” in the Hebrew of Genesis 2 and Psalm 95 are not the same. In Genesis 2, it is shabath – the state of rest. In Psalm 95, it is menukhah – the place of rest.

It also cannot be the rest which came for those who entered Canaan with Joshua (coming in verse 4:8), because the psalmist speaks of another day (Today) after the time of Joshua. And so the rest which is being spoken of is the rest found in Christ who is referred to in 1 Peter 1:17-21 as having been foreordained “before the foundation of the world” to die as a “lamb without blemish and without spot.” And who is then referred to again in Revelation 13:8 as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

The answer to “the works” of this verse is, “The works of Jesus Christ who was ordained from the foundation of the world to die and thus allow God’s people into His promised rest.” Though they occurred in the stream of time, God’s works in Christ were finished from the foundation of the world. When God spoke the created order into existence, it was with the intent of allowing those works of Christ, which were already accomplished in God’s mind, to be performed by Him in the stream of time. This is why Jesus said in John 6:29, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Our work is to believe in Him as the Christ and as the One to complete the works ordained for Him before the foundation of the world. In this, we enter God’s rest. The Sabbath, which is based on creation (and which was later said to be based on redemption in Deuteronomy 5:12-15), was simply a type of the rest which is found in Christ. The creation itself is merely the vehicle by which Christ could accomplish His work. Hence, the seventh-day rest after creation, which is referred to in Genesis 2:2, is a state of rest which exists in anticipation of what Christ would do by leading us into our place of rest. One thing leads to another, and all things find their fulfillment in Christ.

Life application: In Christ, we have entered God’s rest. Be at peace. The works are finished.

Lord God, thank You for the rest we have found in Christ Jesus. By faith in Him, we now possess that which was completed from the foundation of the world – a perfect, absolute, and guaranteed rest. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 22 September 2018

For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2

The word “For” is based upon that which was said in verse 4:1. There, it spoke of the promise of God’s rest still standing, and for those who are being addressed to not feel as if they have failed in their chance to attain it. Understanding this, it says, “indeed the gospel was preached.” This is not a good translation. Although it is the same word translated elsewhere as “gospel,” it is not speaking of the technical term that we consider the preaching of the gospel in this dispensation. Rather, it should say, “good news.” The “good news” of God’s rest was conveyed “to us as well as to them.”

This is speaking of those in the past who were promised God’s rest during the time in the wilderness. The same promise which was made to them was also conveyed, as the author now says, “to us.” The promise of God’s rest is still obtainable, and this is why the previous verse indicated that those now being addressed should not feel as if they have missed their opportunity to enter into it. There still stands the promise of God’s rest. Those in the past heard it, “but the word which they heard did not profit them.”

The Greek reads, “but the word of the message did not profit them.” It is not speaking of the word they heard, but rather the word of God which promised rest. The word of the message was given, but it had to be received and acted upon, and it was not. And why? It is because it was “not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Paul says elsewhere that “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The word of hearing was of no value to them because it was never incorporated into those who heard it.

The Lord promised them rest, and yet they continuously failed to believe Him. Their words and actions demonstrated this. As Vincent’s Word Studies says, “They did not make the promise of rest their own. Their history was marked by continual renewals and rejections of the promise.” Because this is true, the Lord set a new day, calling it “Today,” and offers His rest to the people. The train has not pulled away from the station, and the audience of this epistle has a chance to obtain the rest if they will – unlike their fathers – respond in faith to the word of the message.

Life application: It needs to be remembered who is being addressed. It is a Hebrew audience who is being instructed on the completed work of Jesus Christ. Though it was written in the first century AD while a temple was still standing, its placement in the Bible, after the letters of Paul, show that it is intended to appeal to the hearts of those Jews after the church age. The truths of Hebrews applies to Gentiles, but the main intent of the message is to appeal to the hearts of this group who are seemingly without hope, but who are being encouraged that there is still, in fact, hope.

Gracious and merciful heavenly Father, we can trust in the promises of Your word, because we can see how faithfully you have dealt with Your unfaithful people Israel. The record of their history shows a careless attitude toward You, but You have preserved them nonetheless. You promised this would be the case, and Your promises have remained true. How can we not expect the same when You make sure promises to us? Thank You that we will never be cast away when we come to You in faith. Amen.

Friday, 21 September 2018

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4:1

The word “therefore” is given for the reader to contemplate what has been said about the people not entering God’s rest because of unbelief, as stated in Chapter 3. From there, it says, “since a promise remains of entering His rest.” This is the key idea of the argument, and it is that upon which the whole discussion turns. There was the promise of rest, it was not believed by the people, and yet now the promise of rest still remains for God’s people. The truth of the matter still stands; it is yet ahead in God’s redemptive plans.

From there he says, “let us fear.” It is these words that actually begin the verse in the Greek. It bears a special emphasis by saying, “Let us fear, therefore.” The emphasis is on the word “fear,” not the word “us.” In essence, “Lest us (each of us within the group should be in the same mind) fear…” The fear he is referring to isn’t a fear of something like wrath or being condemned, but one of uncertainty of an outcome. An example of this thought would be, “O dear, I fear I may have missed the train.” The “rest of God” still stands as a promise and the author says that his readers should fear “lest any of you seem to have come short of it.”

This is not speaking of coming short of it in qualification, such as, “I didn’t make the grade, and thus I am excluded.” Rather, it is speaking of timing and surety of being able to attain what is still available. As Vincent’s Word Studies states it, “Since this promise remains, let us fear to distrust it.” Continuing the example of the train might help.

1) The train is set to take the people to their rest. However, because the people in the wilderness did not believe God’s promise of entering His rest, the train never took them there.

2) The psalmist then said, “Today,” when speaking of hearing God’s voice – the very thing that will allow them to enter His rest. The promise of rest still awaits. If not, he could not say to them “Today.” He is asking them to hear God’s voice (believe), and in believing they will enter His rest.

3) Now in Hebrews, the author says, “Don’t worry, the promise of rest still stands. ‘Today’ is still the day. And because the promise still stands, let us fear to not believe that it is true.” It is God’s rest which is still anticipated, and it is attained by belief in God’s promise. The train is still at the station, waiting to take the people to God’s rest. Let us fear to distrust it. The clock has not run out, the train has not left, and those who believe will be there on time.

It should be noted that the citation by Vincent’s Word Studies (above) is completely opposed by the scholars at Cambridge. They say that the words should be translated as “should seem to have failed in attaining it.” They then explain that with the words, “The Greek might also mean ‘should think that he has come too late for it;’ but the writer’s object is to stimulate the negligent, not to encourage the despondent.”

As you can see, they dismiss the logic of Vincent’s Word Studies. However, the context of what has been said, and that of which is coming through verse 4:10, supports what Vincent proposes. Each point of this will be explained in those coming verses as the author continues. It is true that the author will stimulate the audience to not be negligent, but that is because the promise of God’s rest is still available. The people are not to be despondent that they have missed the train.

Life application: This is a difficult verse to understand without explanation. Translations of the Bible are given to hopefully provide a snapshot of what is being conveyed, but quite often they simply cannot do so without additional commentary. And in reading commentaries, there may be a multitude of opinions on what that one verse is saying. Therefore, it is unwise to 1) read a single translation of the Bible lest an unsound opinion arises about what is being relayed; and 2) to stick with a single commentator on the Bible who may have derived an unsound opinion about what is being relayed. The more versions we read, and the more commentaries we study, the more we will have sufficient more information to arrive at a sound conclusion as to the original intent of the passage.

Lord God, there is a promise of heaven for those who believe in Christ Jesus. We should not fear that we have missed that train because of our past failures, but we should believe in the promise, come to the cross, and receive our ticket which grants us that access. Let us not be despondent that we have missed out because of what has been, but let us be confident in what can be – all because of Jesus. Thank You that the promise is still available to us. Amen.

Thursday, 20 September 2018

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19

The Greek reads, “And we see.” The author is not making a logical conclusion (So) based on the previous questions. Rather, he is issuing a statement of fact (And) that “they could not enter in.” The Hebrew people had been brought out of Egypt, they had seen marvelous signs of the Lord’s power and ability to accomplish all that He spoke, and yet every time the slightest difficulty arose, the people moaned and rebelled, acting as if the ability of the Lord to continue saving them was used up. Access to the land of Canaan was paved, but “they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

They were called out as a group of people, and as a group of people, they rebelled. In their rebellion, the Lord told them that they were barred from entering in. Only two were excepted – Joshua and Caleb. All others died along that same paved path. The Lord was not only capable of bringing them out of Egypt, but He was capable of leading them into Canaan, and of subduing the land before them. The only obstacle to the entire process was their unbelief. Because of their failure to believe, they did not obtain their promised rest.

The chapter ends on this note. It is from here that the author will explain what this means to his audience, and how they can ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated in the time set before them.

Life application: Though written to the Hebrews, the lesson to be learned does not change in regard to anyone else. God has spoken. Will we accept His word as it is written out and show faith in what it says? It is obvious that to not accept His word – be it in salvation, or in what salvation means for us into the future – is to openly demonstrate that He cannot be trusted. Let us never wring our hands in worry that even a single word will fail of His promises. He is God, and His word cannot fail.

It is so wonderful to know that we have a sure word from You, O God. And in that sure word, we can and should completely trust. Are You not God? Do You not know the end from the beginning? And is it not impossible for You to lie? As these are axioms, then why should we allow our hearts to fail when times of difficulty arise? Help us to remain steadfast that Your word is given as an everlasting guarantee. Amen.

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? Hebrews 3:18

The rapid-fire questions concerning Israel and their disobedience continue in this verse. The author now asks of them, “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest?” Israel was instructed that they were to go up to Canaan and subdue it, taking it as their possession. Rather than accept this course of action, they believed the bad report of the spies who were sent to determine the status of the land. In their refusal to trust the Lord by accepting that He would go before them and ensure their success, they turned their hearts back to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). Because of this, the Lord vowed –

“Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.” Exodus 14:30

The idea of entering God’s rest was to be that of going into Canaan and subduing it. As God’s people, they would dwell in His presence and be free from external worries. It would be typical of heaven, a place of rest in which a state of rest exists. However, the Lord’s words went beyond allowing them to enter the land. Instead, those who were twenty and above would all die before even one of them, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, could put one foot into the land. And this was because, as the author says, they “did not obey.”

The Lord had set them on the path to Canaan, and they refused that path. Their disobedience was a complete lack of faith in the Lord’s promises. What is apparent, from the words of the psalmist, is that not only did the Lord promise that they would not enter His rest, but that rest which was anticipated would be put on hold. The next generation of Israelites entered Canaan, but David shows that the rest which was hoped for was still not realized at his time. The words, “Today, if you will hear His voice,” shows that God’s rest was still anticipated, even at David’s time. This will be explained in Chapter 4.

Life application: Whose voice is it that gives rest? It is obvious that it is the Lord, meaning Yehovah. That is based on the promise of rest being granted to the people of God, even in the Law of Moses. However, David, speaking of the same Lord, will show that His rest had not been realized for Israel. The author of Hebrews says that the rest which was promised is found in Jesus. As this is so, then it must be that Jesus is the incarnation of the Lord, Yehovah. It is hearing and believing His voice that allows entrance into God’s promised rest. Trust in Jesus, call on Him, and enter into the rest of God which has been anticipated since the beginning.

Heavenly Father, it is so very wonderful to know that there is a place of rest set aside for Your people. We look forward to the day when that will be realized in us. You have said that by faith in Jesus, we have entered Your rest. It is as assured to us as the coming of the new day. And so we shall have no fear now as we await the consummation of the promise we now possess! Thank You for Jesus who makes all things new. Amen.