Hebrews 4:1-11
Q.1. Why did God give Israel the Sabbath? What rest did Israel fail to enter into? How did they miss it? – (Heb.4:1-1-5)
The writer was appealing for the Jewish believers to refrain from returning to dead works and rule keeping. Though the Sabbath was a day of rest from normal work and activities, it was also designed as a day on which to celebrate the Creator, the One Who redeemed them from a life of slavery (Ex.20:11; Deut.5:15). The Jews had turned their faith into a religion of law-keeping, and tedious and meaningless religious activities. Israel should have turned in trust to God, but instead offered empty religion – 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they had it preached to them; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said … (Heb. 4:2-3).
Q.2. Was Joshua able to bring rest for Israel in the Promised Land? What rest is promised to God’s people through the Gospel? What will rob us of this rest? – (Heb.4:6-11)
The Law was added to the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant, in order to drive home the message that as sinners we could never qualify for heaven without a Saviour – the Law became our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith (Gal.3:24 c.f. Gal.3:15-24). Neither Joshua nor any other person, apart from our risen Saviour and Lord of glory, can bring us into true rest. Our diligence, performance, and works, rob us of rest. Only by trusting wholly in the merits of Jesus Christ, do we enter the true rest. No more is required, but to trust Him and keep on trusting Him (Hos.6:3). Salvation is no longer a hopeful dream, but a glorious reality, because it is based entirely on the merits of God’s Son. We must take care not to slip back into thoughts of self-effort or achievement. That would make His rest unattainable – Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience (Heb.4:11).