Hebrews 4:9,10

Conclusions from the above premises. Hebrews 4:9-10.

Text

Hebrews 4:9-10

Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into His rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

Paraphrase

Hebrews 4:9 Therefore, seeing the Israelites did not, in Canaan, enter fully into God's rest, the enjoyment of another rest remaineth to the people of God, in which they shall rest completely from all the troubles of this life.

Hebrews 4:10 For the believer who is entered into God's rest, hath himself also rested from his own works of trial and suffering, Revelation 14:13 like as God rested from His works of creation.

There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God

There remaineth therefore suggests that there is something better yet to follow:

a.

Sabbath is a symbol of the rest yet to come.

b.

This is the consummation of the new creature in Christ.

c.

Jesus, Matthew 11:28-29: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.

d.

Rest fulfilled in Revelation 14:13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. cf. Revelation 21:1-5.

Rest here is sabbath rest, a state of rest:

a.

It is not a state of inactivity, but release from the body of sin.

b.

It is rest from this body of pain, sorrow and affliction.

for the people of God

There is the very opposite of comfort and rest for those who are not God's people. Luke 16:24: For I am tormented in this flame. Revelation 14:11: And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image and receiveth a mark.

For he that is entered into His rest

Who is referred to here?

a.

One view favors Christ:

1.

For this view, we have only the idea that Christ is resting from his earthly mission.

2.

Against it we have several factors:

a)

First: Christ is not resting, since He is preparing mansions, making intercession for us, etc.

b)

Second: Jesus is not mentioned here at all.

c)

Third: We are exhorted by Hebrews 4:11 to enter into the rest, as though it is the Christian's rest as referred to in Hebrews 4:10.

b.

A second view is that it is just a general statement of man entering into rest:

1.

McKnight expresses it: For the believer who is entered into God's rest, hath himself also rested from his works of trial and suffering.

2.

Milligan says this view is most in harmony with the context.

hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

The Christian enters into a rest, just as did God when He rested:

a.

Now every saint who, like Joshua and Caleb, is faithful enters into God's rest.

b.

As certainly as God rested, so shall we rest. His works may refer to several things:

1.

His own works that have no part in his salvation:

a.

The Jew must give up the works of the old law.

b.

The moral man must give up thinking that a moral life is able to save.

2.

That work which the child of God does in being faithful:

a.

The work of God was good, and no doubt the good work of Christian people is referred to here in the parallel.

b.

The life of self-denial comes to an end, and one enters into a rest with God.

Study Questions

604.

Is David reminding them of seeking a greater rest?

605.

What is the significance of the words a sabbath rest for the people of God?

606.

When is this period of rest?

607.

Is it a cessation of activity, or is another idea implied in our rest?

608.

If the people of God have rest, what will the others have? Cf. Luke 16:24; Revelation 14:10.

609.

Who is the he in Hebrews 4:10?

610.

Why is it not Jesus?

611.

Is Jesus resting?

612.

What are the works referred to?