Hebrews 4 - Introduction

THIS chapter is of the same nature and carrieth on the same design with that foregoing. That contained an exhortation unto faith, obedience, and perseverance, enforced by an instance in the pernicious event or punishment which befell them who were guilty of sin contrary unto those duties. And this was done by the exposition and application of a prophetical testimony, suggesting an example of God's dealing with unbelievers formerly. Now, whereas in the words of the psalmist there is not only a moral example proposed unto us, but a prophecy also is interwoven therein concerning the rest of God in Christ by the gospel, and our duty thereon, the apostle proceeds to expound, improve, and confirm his exhortation from the scope, design, and words of that prophecy. Wherefore, in the beginning of this chapter he resumes his exhortation, in an immediate coherence with and dependence upon what he had before discoursed. Hence some think that the first verse of this chapter is unduly cut off and separated from that foregoing, whereunto it doth belong; yea, some, as we intimated before, that this discourse of the apostle doth immediately succeed unto the 14th verse (Hebrews 3:14) of the preceding chapter, that which ensueth being a digression to be included in a parenthesis. But, as was said, the words of the psalmist containing a representation of a moral example from things past in the church, and a prophetical description of the future state and condition of the church, the apostle having made use of the former or moral example, in the preceding discourses, arguings, expostulations, and exhortations, here entereth upon the exposition and improvement of the latter, or the words of the psalmist, with reference unto their prophetical prospect towards the times of the gospel, and the instruction which was laid up for the use of those times in the example that he had insisted on. Herein,

1. He proposeth the duty which he aimeth to press upon those Hebrews, as that which is required in the words of the psalmist, from the example represented in them; with an especial enforce-merit of it, from the consideration of the sin and punishment of them whose example is proposed, which followeth thereon, Hebrews 4:1-2.

2. He vindicates the foundation of his exhortation, by showing that the “rest” which the psalmist speaks of, and which he persuades them to endeavor an entrance into, and to take heed that they fail not, or come not short of, was yet remaining to be enjoyed, Hebrews 4:3; as being neither the rest of God from the works of creation, with the sabbatical rest which ensued thereon, Hebrews 4:4-6; nor yet the rest of Canaan, which Joshua brought the people into, Hebrews 4:7-8; but a spiritual rest, which remained for believers to enjoy, Hebrews 4:8-10.

3. Hence he resumes his exhortation with respect unto his explication and vindication of the prophetical testimony by him produced, Hebrews 4:11.

4. This he again strengtheneth by a double argument or consideration:

(1.) In a way of caution, by proposing unto them the nature of the word of God wherein they were concerned, Hebrews 4:12-13.

(2.) In a way of encouragement from the priesthood of Christ, whereby this rest was procured for believers; and therein makes a transition to the declaration and exposition of that priesthood, with the effects and consequents of it, in the six ensuing Chapter s.