[1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. [2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. [3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. [4] For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. [5] And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
| "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| When Paul says "Let us therefore fear," to what does he have reference? | Because of what he was just speaking about in chapter 3, i.e., Israel not trusting in God when they first came to the promised land. |
| What is this rest of which Paul here speaks? | The rest of the fully consecrated. This rest is explained by Paul to be the kind of rest that natural Israel would have received when they first reached the land of promise had they been faithful and entered in to take the land. If their faith could have accepted that it was God who was fighting for them, then there would have been no question that they would conquer the land. God would have driven out the inhabitants before them. Exo. 23:20-33. |
| Why should we fear "to come short of it?" | We will not be victorious. Only those who have made a full consecration and have the faith to take the land of promise (conquer the enemies of the new creation) can hope to gain the victory. |
| For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| To whom was the gospel preached? | To "us" (the church). |
| What is the �gospel?� | The "good news," that which was preached to Abraham. Gal. 3:8 |
| Of whom is Paul referring when he says the gospel was preached �as well as unto them?� | Israel of old. |
| What value did the gospel have to them and why? | It had no effect because it was not mingled with faith. If they truly had faith they would have entered into the promised land right away instead of wandering 40 years in the wilderness. |
| What benefit should they have received? | They should have entred into the promised land. Having God's Truth is a powerful thing at any time. Rom. 3:1,2 |
| �For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.� | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the �rest� of which Paul here speaks? | The rest (or Sabbath) of faith. Remember Jesus resting in the ship - Matt. 8:23-27. |
| How do we enter into this �rest?� | By faith in His promises. Our battles are mainly within and we cannot hope to win these battles without believing that the promises of the scriptures belong to us - personally. This requires faith. |
| Why did God speak in His wrath? | Because He had shown them His wonders in delivering them from Egypt and still they did not have faith. |
| Why, as Paul here reminds us, �the works were finished from the foundation of the world,� does he say �if they shall enter into my rest?� | Free moral agency. |
| �For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.� | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What �certain place� speaks of God resting on the seventh day? | Gen. 2:2-3. |
| Why is Paul taking us here? | To remind us of just who it is we are dealing with, namely, the creator of all things! |
| �And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.� | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| From where does Paul get this? | Psa. 95:11 (also vs 5 -- "If..") |
| What is Paul�s point here? | Once again Paul is reminding us that we need to have faith in God. He who formed the earth and all that is therein is certainly able to "make all things work together" for our good. - Rom. 8:28 |
[see R5388][6] Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: [7] Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
| �Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:� | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| �Some must enter therein.� To what must they enter in to? | God's rest, i.e., the rest of faith in God. |
| Why did Paul say �some must enter?� | Because it should be clear that this was God's intention from the beginning. He had promised Israel that they would enter into the promised land and that He would drive out its inhabitants for them. |
| To whom was it �first preached?� | Natural Israel. |
| What prevented them from entering in? | Their lack of faith and confidence in God. |
| �Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.� | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is this �certain day� of which Paul speaks? | This has reference to the Gospel Age, the age of sacrifice. We must enter into the rest of faith in God and trust that He will indeed keep His promises to us, else we would have no hope of "making our calling and election sure". 2 Pet. 1:10 |
| Where did David make reference to this? | Psa. 95:7 |
| What does it mean to �hear his voice?� | To take His words into our hearts and act upon them. |
| What is the danger of not hearing His voice? | Not having the needed rest in God. |
"[8] For if Jesus [Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. [9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. [10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
| "For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Did Joshua give them rest, if so, what rest? | No he did not. He did take them into the promised land but they had to take it by battle, not by resting. |
| Who spoke of another day? | Joshua 22:4? |
| What other day? | The Millennial Age. |
| "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What remains and for whom does it remain? | Rest, quietness, peace -- for the people of God. |
| How do we know this rest remains? | Because, as Paul said in vs 6. |
| "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the relationship between rest and work? | Work first, then rest. One of the reasons we can rest is because we have first worked in order to acheive the rest. If there is something remaining to do, can we really rest? |
| What example of this does Paul point us to? | The example of Creation. |
| "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What then should we do? | "That rest." - The rest of complete faith in God. |
| What is the danger if we fail? | We could fall into unbelief. |
| "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Is the word of God passive, or active? | "Quick, powerful, sharper than any sword, dividing soul and spirit, discerning thoughts and intents of the heart. This all sounds rather active. |
| Is the word of God personal? | Very. Even to "the thoughts and intents of the heart." |
| How is the word of God "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart?" | R1279:9 |
| "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Can we keep secrets from others? | Yes. |
| Can we keep secrets from God? | No. |
"[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
| "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What encouragement does Paul give us here? | Paul is telling us that Jesus has indeed entered into the full rest of God and that we are following Him. If we follow in someone's footsteps we will arrive at the same destination. |
| What is our responsibility? | To "hold fast our profession." |
| What is our privilege? | To "hold fast our profession." |
| "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who is our high priest? | Jesus. The one who fulfilled the Law and did indeed enter into heaven itself "to make intercession for us." |
| If Jesus was perfect, how could he be said to be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities?" | See Isa. 53:3-6; Luke 8:46. |
| How and when was he tempted like we are tempted? | Matt. 4:1-10. |
| Did he remain without sin? | Heb. 7:26 |
| Should we then be without sin? | Yes, we should. No, we are not actually without sin - as human beings. But we are sinless - as New Creatures. 1 John 3:9 |
| "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." | |||
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| Question | Answer | ||
| Why does Paul tell us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace?" | "Therefore." - Because Jesus is our High Priest and has indeed been "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." "Therefore" we can come boldly [confidently] to the throne of grace. | ||
| When should we come to the throne of grace? | "In time of need." | ||
| Why is it called the throne of grace? | Because it is there that we find mercy and help.
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