There Remains a Sabbath Rest

Hebrews 4 continues the reading of Psalm 95. The good news was preached to the wilderness generation, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith. The letter links God’s rest to the seventh day of creation, when God rested on the seventh day from all his works. Because the psalm still says today centuries after Joshua, the rest must be more than a piece of land. There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

Verse 11 calls for diligence: let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest. The rest is received by faith, yet faith is active. Then verses 12 and 13 explain why the warning matters. God’s word is living and active, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit. It judges the heart’s thoughts and intentions. Before God all things are naked and laid open. No one can hide behind outward religion.

The chapter turns from warning to welcome. Jesus is a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. He is not distant: he can be touched with the feeling of human weakness, having been in all points tempted, yet without sin. The throne of God is now called a throne of grace. Believers are invited to come with boldness, not because they are strong, but because their high priest is faithful. There they receive mercy for the past and grace for help in time of need.