CHAPTER FOUR VERSES 1-13

HEBREWS CHAPTER FOUR VS. 1-13 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4  For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.    5  And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7  Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8  For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.     10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

Main Point: Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 

1.   Note the various verses and reasons listed as to why the people were prevented from entering the rest: (2) Not united by faith (did not listen), (6) disobedience, (7) hardened hearts (implied), - As previously covered, there is a concept of apathy or unpersuadableness that does not allow faith to grow. The root word for harden is equated with hardened clay. Can the potter use clay that is hard and brittle?

2.   What was the promised rest? Carefully look at verse 8 in consideration your answer. The context is found in chapter three. The rest would be understood as Canaan to the Hebrew (Joshua). However, within the context of Jesus, the rest takes on a more eternal value, not just a limited human lifetime.

3.   Explain the meaning of verse 10. What application should we make from this verse? God rested from “His Works” in the creation sense, then ultimately in the acquisition (redemption) of mankind. Once creation was completed, He rested (from that work). God continued to work on mankind’s behalf through his son. Jesus, perfected, and fulfilled that work. God can rest from that work (meaning there may still be work to do). Likewise, we are still active in our work through our alliance to God through Christ. Our rest takes place when we are transitioned from these lowly bodies.

4.   How do verses 12-13 connect with the thoughts of verse 11? These teachings have to do with both the physical and nature of mankind. God is the author of this, only he can make these wonderful events happen. Only he understands it completely.

5.   According to verses 12-13, what especially about our lives is of concern to God? “discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”
Is this not what God has striven with mankind for? Even when mankind is disobedient, God has shown Himself to be longsuffering and forgiving.
Jehovah has always loved a humble heart. All the examples of people that God views as “after” His heart are the one’s who trust him with all their might.

ADDITIONAL: The preacher is again comparing the rejection of the gospel with unbelief and forced rejection by God. He again equates the works of Jesus with the works of God. It is a joining or completion of physical and spiritual works by the God-Head.

Chapter Three Verses 14-19

HEBREWS CHAPTER THREE VS. 14-19 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; 

Heb 3:15  While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 

Heb 3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 

Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 

Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 

Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

3:14-19   Main Point: This is an extension of the warning “how will you escape” (judgment). Their unbelief in Jesus will result in rejection of them by God!
             

7. What must we do to “share in Christ”? What does this mean?
Share (Partakers-KJ): 3353- Participant – Christ: 5547 anointed, that is, the Messiah --- i.e. Participants (of) the anointed messiah. The preacher points out the believer’s role as one of being active. Actively tied to the messiah, and participating in the word and its goals.
First identify the goal(s) of the messiah, then identify how they (we) are to participate in the achievement of those goals:
General salvation – Becoming “more Godly” more “Christ-like”

8. Exactly what did the Israelites do so that God would not allow them to enter Canaan? How can we apply this to ourselves?
Rebelled-3893: to embitter alongside, that is, (figuratively) to exasperate: - provoke, Sinned-264: properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), Disobedient –544:( ap-i-theh'-o) to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely): - not believe (root word means unpersuadable)
The above characteristics are indicative of the underlying problem:
Unbelief: 570-faithlessness
The preacher is comparing their actions to those that hear while being void of reasoning, thus lacking the positive action that God’s word has on the active hearer. Their faithlessness was exhibited in their disobedience which misses the mark (set by God)….and only tests (exasperates) God. Their disobedience (apathy) also exhibited their state of being unpersuadable.

9. Why is disobedience equated with unbelief (3:18-19)? What Do we learn?
SEE #8. Belief is demonstrated by what we do.

Additional: Importance of active hearing: God spoke (chap 1): That should transform the hearer to action(s).

The emphasis here is placed on the weight of trust (faith). Do we (they) continue to trust in those things previously heard?  If indeed it is the word of God, there needs to be evidence of that belief….obedience. Obedience is necessary, but it is not the end-game.

The illustration of those that fell in the wilderness is not used to cast judgment on the disobedient of Moses’ time. It is simply a comparative narration/warning to those who are once again not trusting God (faith).