In chapter three of Hebrews the pastor/author is exhorting the congregation to stand firm and to grow in the gospel. In chapter four he shifts and discusses the promise of rest to the people of God [1]. Throughout scripture we read of “rest” and is closely associated with the rest that God took on the Sabbath after creation was complete.
The rest spoken of in Hebrews four is that of rest after this life is over. In other words it is about the promise of being with Christ in Heaven when this earthly journey over. The chapter quotes from Psalm 95 which describes rest as being something more than physical, but spiritual in nature. The pastor also quotes from Genesis 2:2 to draw the comparison between physical and spiritual rest.
Hebrews And Rest
In this concept of “rest” the pastor is alluding to the Israelite wilderness experience that was previously brought up in chapter three. He exhorts his listeners to have faith in the faith they have received, and in that faith in Christ they will find rest. Since they have initially believed they are in the process of receiving “rest”, and the pastor is demonstrating that “rest” is always available to the people of God. This is illustrated by Gareth Cockerill who writes, “In the process of this argument the pastor has clarified the nature of ‘rest’ as ultimate entrance into God’s own place of ‘rest’ and participation in the great eternal Sabbath celebration [2].” Faithful followers of Christ enter this rest by obedience to Christ. One must not simply hear the message of the gospel, but they have to respond with faith.
Obedience And Faith
When one has faith in Christ they understand that they must also be obedient to him. This manifests itself in spiritual fruit that will be evident in the life of the believer. It is not enough to say that you go to church, or to say that you are a Christian. Too many in our world do that, but they do not have the regenerated heart that only Christ can give. To unbelievers rest may be something as simple as a day off from work, but to the believer it is much more and it is a message that may seem strange to those without a church background. Rest is found only in Christ. Through faith in Christ we begin the path toward eternal rest.
Verses Hebrews To Consider
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.-Hebrews 4:1-2
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.-Hebrews 4:9-10
Works Cited
1. Guthrie, George H. The Hebrews NIV Application Commentary. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), 149.
2. Cockerill, Gareth L. The Epistle to the Hebrews. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 2012), 197.
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