Chapter 4
1 Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. 2 For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened. 3 For we who believed enter into [that] rest, just as he has said:
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter into my rest,’”
and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works”; 5 and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, 7 he once more set a day, “today,” when long afterwards he spoke through David, as already quoted:
“Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
‘Harden not your hearts.’”
8 Now if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards of another day. 9 Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. 10 And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. 13 No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. 16 So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Questions:
- In verse 4 “somewhere” refers to what Scripture? Why might the preacher again use this technique of not identifying the Scripture?
- In verses 1-11 the preacher mentions “rest” directly 9 times and another time or two indirectly. What might have been the first “rest” of all? Who were the two who achieved the second “rest”? How does the third “rest” operate at two levels?
- What does “the word of God” mean in verse 12? How might that tie into the purpose of this website?
- See verses 14-16. Doesn’t Jesus’ divinity imply that he could not sin? And, if he could not sin, how can he sympathize with our weaknesses?
Neat thing to know: What is translated as “the high priest” in English, commentators tell us, is actually written “the great priest” in Scripture. So, the Israelites had “priests” and “the great priest.” In verse 14 then, the preacher refers to Jesus as “the great, great priest.”
I lingered on verses 12-13. They are beautiful and poetic. “Penetrating even between soul and spirit…” reveals the piercing knowledge that He has of each of us. It’s amazing and wonderful that He knows us even better than we know ourselves. Perhaps that is why it is so painful when He shows us the faults that we do not readily see on our own. He is that sharp two-edged sword that exposes even “reflections and thoughts of the heart”.
It is His love. It is that same love that pierced the heart of Teresa of Avila. It is that love that longs to be united with us. Fortunately for us, in His infinite wisdom and mercy He gives us hope. “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. 16 So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.”
Thank you, Patricia. We are all too good at hiding the “reflections and thoughts of our hearts” from ourselves–His help is needed to help clarify places in our hearts that we have not yet been willing to submit to His loving gaze.
Jim