LESSON AIM

1. We will understand what it means to enter into GOD’S rest

2. We will be able to explain what keeps believers from truly enjoying all the benefits of our salvation

3. We will determine to trust and obey GOD in the most trying of circumstances.

KEEP IN MIND

“For we are made partakers of CHRIST, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).

Those who have genuinely received CHRIST continue in the faith. We rest in JESUS CHRIST, not our own works, for our salvation. New Christians are to be careful not to turn away from trusting in CHRIST. We must help one another to remain faithful followers of the LORD.

By way of background, it might appear that after the writer had clearly described JESUS as the most excellent revelation and demonstrating HIS SUPERIORITY to angels, there would be no need to explain HIS relationship to Moses. However, Jewish reverence for Moses made the explanation necessary. There was no higher person in the Jewish mind-set than Moses, the lawgiver. In comparing and contrasting the ministries of JESUS and Moses, the writer makes plain that the only way to GOD is through HIS SON. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST” (John 1:17).

The writer leaves no doubt about the superiority of JESUS’ identity and ministry. HE is the SON and heir (Hebrews 1:2), the first begotten (1:6), GOD (1:8), the LORD (2:3), the captain of our salvation (2:10), our HIGH PRIEST (2:17, 3:1), an apostle (3:1), and the builder of the house that Moses served in (3:5-6).

Because of JESUS’ exalted position, believers should place their complete trust in HIM. Failure to truly believe GOD’S promises will prevent believers from entering into GOD’S rest (v.11). The Israelites who came out of Egyptian bondage challenged GOD’S authority over them by their constant murmuring and rebellion in the wilderness (Numbers 14:1-21). Because of their unbelief, they failed to enter into the rest of dwelling in Canaan, and they perished in the wilderness. There is a rest that is promised to believers today, but many of us fail to enter into it because of unbelief in the promises of GOD.

1. THE COST OF UNBELIEF (Hebrews 3:12-19)

Our study today opens with the second of five exhortations in the Book of Hebrews. In the first exhortation, the writer pointed out the danger of drifting from the WORD OF GOD because of neglect (Hebrews 2:14). In this section, he explains the danger of allowing our hearts to disbelieve.

He begins by challenging his readers to “take heed, brethren” (3:12). What are the brethren to take heed of? The writer is telling them to consider the sad fate of their forefathers, who missed out on the Promised Land because of their unbelief. To “take heed” is to be on guard against imminent danger and try to avoid it. The danger the write speaks of here is “an evil heart of unbelief.” He is speaking of the inherent evil in he nature of man that causes the heart to lose faith in GOD’S ability to honor HIS PROMISES.

GOD had delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage through mighty works and had cared for them in the wilderness, revealing HIS POWER by many signs and wonders. However, this did not bring the Israelites closer to GOD or cause them to trust HIM. Instead of using their past experience as a basis for their faith in GOD, the Israelites did just the opposite: they hardened their hearts against GOD. They did not believe that GOD would care for them and give them the victory in the Promised Land. GOD was angry at the generation that left Egypt and said, “So I declare on oath in my anger, ‘They shall not enter my rest’” (Hebrews 3:11). These ex-slaves failed to trust GOD in spite of all HE had done for them, and it cost them dearly.

The original readers of this letter to the Hebrews were being pressured from all sides. They were persecuted by the authorities and shunned by their countrymen and even their own relatives because of their faith in CHRIST. Just as their forefathers had often talked of returning to Egypt (Exodus 13:3-4), these Hebrew readers were considering abandoning the Gospel and returning to the Mosaic legal system.

It is the inherent evil in human nature that causes believers to lose faith in GOD. The Prophet Jeremiah declared, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” (Jeremiah 17:9). Adverse situations in life cause believers to lose faith in GOD. When we lose faith in GOD, we turn to our own methods of problem solving, which usually end up making the situation worse. As the situation worsens, we blame GOD for not coming to our rescue, which in turn reinforces our unbelief.

The most common way for GOD to reach out to HIS PEOPLE and draw them back from straying is through other believers. That is why the writer encourages us to “exhort one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). To “exhort” means to persuade with comforting and encouraging words. The time for these words of encouragement is “To day,” or right now. This implies a constant readiness to step in and encourage anyone who may be facing faith-challenging difficulties.

To fully partake in all the blessings of our union with CHRIST, believers must trust GOD’S faithfulness to deliver them in the same way they first trusted GOD to deliver them from the bondage of sin. GOD will honor HIS PROMISES if we remain “steadfast unto the end” (v.14) and do not harden our hearts against HIM.

The writer returns to the Old Testament and quotes Psalm 95 to give us a historical perspective on this teaching. This Psalm speaks of the incident at Massah. The people murmured against Moses because of a lack of water (Exodus 17:7). This story illustrates the people’s lack of trust in GOD during their forty years of wandering. They rebelled against GOD, even though they heard HIS VOICE, and they grieved GOD for the entire forty years of their journey. As a result, even though they were never very far from the Promised Land, “they could not enter in because of their unbelief.”

Many times believers give up just as they are nearing the fulfillment of GOD’S PROMISE. Life’s difficulties cause them to reject GOD’S PROMISES and return to the world’s system of compromise and rebellion. Believers who rebel against GOD do not miss out on heaven, but they do miss out on the blessing of their inheritance and suffer the consequences of their actions and the chastening of GOD. Lack of trust in GOD prevents us from receiving HIS best for us.

2. THE WARNING AGAINST UNBELIEF (4:1-2)

The “rest” spoken of in Hebrews has four different meanings. The first is the Sabbath rest, which commemorates the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2;Hebrews 4:4-9) when GOD ceased from HIS WORK. This rest does not imply that GOD rested because of any weariness, but speaks of a time of repose during which GOD enjoyed the splendor, beauty, and goodness of HIS CREATION.

The second rest is the dwelling rest in the Promised Land that GOD promised the Israelites (Deuteronomy 12:8-12; Psalm 95). This refers to the land that GOD originally promised to Abraham as part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15:18-21), a promise that GOD reaffirmed to Moses (Exodus 3:8). This “promised land” of Canaan is the rest that the wilderness generation was not allowed to enter because of their unbelief.

The third rest is the believer’s Sabbath rest. This is the rest available to all believers as a result of our spiritual inheritance with CHRIST. When we first surrender our lives to CHRIST, we enter into a salvation rest (Matthew 11:28). This rest comes from peace with GOD. As we progress through life in CHRIST, meeting and overcoming challenges and trials, we learn to trust and submit to GOD in any and all situations. We enter into submission rest (vv.29-30). This is peace from GOD.

The final rest is eternal rest. This is the future rest that we all look forward to when all creation will be restored and renewed. “Now the dwelling of GOD is with men…They will be HIS PEOPLE, and GOD HIMSELF will be with them and be their GOD. HE will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

The responsibility for entering into submission rest falls directly on the believer. That is why the writer issues the solemn warning: “Let us therefore fear” (Hebrews 4:1). The fear spoken of here is not anxiety or dread, but rather reverential fear of our AWESOME GOD. Reverential fear influences the believer’s actions, thoughts, and attitudes. This is a healthy fear of displeasing GOD. This kind of fear causes the believer to walk in obedience to GOD.

This fear comes from knowing that GOD “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20) and that all of the promises GOD has made are “yes in CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 1:20). However, GOD’S PROMISES are appropriated by faith, and faith is demonstrated by obedience. We should be forever mindful of the fact that disobedience motivated by unbelief can cause us not to enter HIS REST. Genuine faith must be consistent and persistent.

The writer again uses the account of the Israelites who came out of Egypt to illustrate a truth. GOD gave them HIS LAW and revealed HIMSELF to them in mighty acts of power. For forty years, GOD fed them with bread from heaven and brought water from stones. HE did not even allow their clothes to deteriorate. Yet they did not believe. The word preached to them by Moses was useless because their hearts were hardened by unbelief.

Believers today have even more of an advantage. Because of the cross, we have the opportunity to approach GOD individually. We have the written WORD that is available to each of us to guide us in our daily walk. The same GOD who dwelled with the Israelites dwells in GOD’S PEOPLE today. We have seen the hand of GOD at work in our lives many times. Yet, we often do not believe.

3. THE REWARD OF BELIEF (vv.9-13)

Joshua replaced Moses after the great emancipator’s death. But he failed to lead all the people into their dwelling rest because of their unbelief. However, there remains a rest that was still available to these first century Hebrew believers. The problem was that they, like their forefathers, were in danger of missing the mark and falling short of the rest offered through CHRIST.

This rest is the believer’s Sabbath rest, which comes through salvation and submission. This rest does not mean that there will be no trials or temptations or sickness or death. Because we are at war with Satan and the forces of evil, conflict is something we can anticipate. When the Israelites finally entered their promised rest, they had to overcome the forces arrayed against them in the land. They found their rest, not in a lack conflict, but in their faith in GOD and in their readiness to trust and obey HIS WORD.

We enter into this rest by ceasing from working in our own strength and from applying our limited and flawed wisdom. We stop trying to “figure it out” and simply depend upon GOD. This dependence upon GOD is not easy, but we “must labor therefore to enter into that rest” (Hebrews 4:11). To “labor” means to make every effort to give it our absolute best shot. In GOD’S REST, we labor to stop trying to find peace by carnal and selfish means. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

GOD’S WRITTEN WORD should always be the final authority in every decision we make. HIS WORD teaches us about GOD’S REST and tells us how to enter into it. GOD’S WORD is quick; meaning that it is alive. It is alive because it is the WORD OF THE LIVING GOD. It is powerful, meaning that it is active and energizing when it is believed and obeyed. GOD’S WORD is sharper than any two-edged sword, which represents its twofold effect. In other words, it will comfort all who submit themselves to it, and it will condemn all those who refuse it.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

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