Hebrews Chapter 4 Notes:

Chapter 3 Notes Found Here

I must admit, this study of Hebrews is the most challenging Bible Study I have done in a long time. Hebrews is definitely tough meat to chew on.

The theme of the rest of God is continued heavily into chapter 4. The broad point, as stated by Scofield in summary of v 1-8, is "there is a better rest for the believer, of which God's creation-rest is the type." Type being example, or even "a shadow of things to come" (Colossians 2:17). In my Holman Commentary he writes: "Wherever rest appears in 3:1-4:11, it refers to an experience of salvation we enter by faith in Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews makes this interpretation clear when he insists on the necessity of faith in the gospel the readers had received (v2). This faith demands a dependence on God's work instead of on our own works (v10)... Some [commentators] explain est as a lifetime experience of unbroken fellowship with God."

It is intriguing, although given the meaning understandable, that the Israelites did not partake in this rest. Without faith, that is to say without partaking in the salvation gift of the Lord through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the ONLY blood that could take away sin, there is no rest. V 7-8 speak of the Lord promising another day in which that faith would come.

Scofield notes in summary of v 9-13: "The believer rests in a perfect work of redemption, as God rested from a perfect work of creation." V 9-10 explain that better rest: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His." When we become partakers of the salvation of the Lord, we cease in striving in sin and dead works and we take on the robe of Christ. No longer are we striving in our own power, but in His power and work. This is our sabbath rest, found in Christ, and in His salvation. In Matthew 11:28 the Lord says "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He wasn't speaking of physical rest, something that WE can achieve, but something He gives us when we are down and dejected in spirit. I daresay, the peace which passeth understanding is indeed the rest of the Lord.

"The believer is kept in perfect rest by mercy and grace, through the Son of God," Scofield goes on to say on v 14-16. We have one High Priest, who has passed into the heavens, and that is Jesus the Son of God (v14). He was tempted as we are, and yet was without sin. Therefore, we are enabled to come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need.

Lord, thank you for being my rest. A rest not of works, and not of anything I could obtain on my own power, but of grace and peace from You in faith.