“Hebrews 4”

Tuesday, September 05, 2017

How can two people hear the same sermon and one is drawn closer to God while the other leaves unaffected by the message? The first listener had faith in God, but the second one did not.

The chapter begins with the word, therefore. This means that these thoughts are a conclusion (or necessary inference) based on what was discussed in the previous chapter (remember that the chapter and verse divisions are man-made). Chapter 3 had emphasized the importance of listening to Christ, not Moses. It also warned of serious consequences for those who reject the word of the Lord through unbelief. The writer does not want these Hebrew Christians to “come short” (verse 1) of heaven, but to “hold fast our confession” (verse 14).

In verses 4-11, he emphasizes that the Promised Land of the Old Testament (and the rest it offered) was not the ultimate rest promised to those who remain faithful to God. Joshua did not provide them with that final rest, although they did conquer the nations of the Promised Land and take possession of it (see Joshua 21:43-45). The final place of rest (Revelation 14:13) is heaven and this ought to be the top priority of every disciple of Christ, to live in such a way that we can live with Him forever.

(By the way, Joshua is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name, Jesus. Both mean “Savior” – see Matthew 1:21.)

Looking into God’s word can tell us whether we are pleasing to Him or not (verses 12-13).

In verse 14, the author shifts to another comparison between the old and the new. Jesus is our High Priest today and He will be described as superior to the Levitical priests. The Hebrews who were in danger of returning to the Old Law needed to be convinced that everything about Jesus is better.

--Roger Hillis

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