Hebrews 4:1,2

A Lesson On Rest Learned from Israel's Failure

Though the children of Israel failed to enter the promised rest, a promise of rest still remains for those in Christ. Remember, in 3:15 the writer quoted Psalms 95:1-11 which shows Christ's disciples have a promise of entering God's rest today. It must, however, also be remembered that Christians can fall short just as surely as did Israel (Hebrews 4:1).

Both physical and spiritual Israel have heard the gospel preached. Milligan says this would be better translated, "for we are evangelized as well as they." So, the promise of entering into rest is ours, as Christians, as well as theirs, as Israelites. God's word was heard by them, but it was to no avail since they fell into unbelief. Their failure, according to the writer of Hebrews, resulted from an unbelief which was produced by their failing to hear the word of God with faith (Hebrews 4:2; Numbers 13:1-33).