Study Notes on Epistle to Hebrews - 3. God's Promised Rest

 Part 3: Promise of entering God's Rest (Heb 3:7 - 4:13 )

Heb 3:7-11 ~ Ps 95: 7(6)-11 (Read from psalms for better understanding)

Meriba = Rebellion

Massa = Testing (the LORD)

Two places were named Meriba and on two occasions Israelites showed rebellion in the same situation. 

1. Ex 17:1-7

Vs. 1. Actual name of the place: Rephidim (wilderness of Sin) 

VS. 7. Moses named the place Massah & Meliba.

Vs. 2,3 Situation/Problem: Thirst (no water)

Response of the people: Quarrelling / rebellion & Testing the LORD

Vs. 6. Nevertheless, God, in His goodness & kindness, met their need.

2.            Num 20:2-13 

This is almost 40 years after the first occassion.

Vs. 1. Actual name of the place: Kadesh (wilderness of Zin)

      Vs. 13. Moses named it Meriba

VS. 2-5 Same situation/problem as in Ex 17.

Same behavior/response of the people.

 

Their lives did not change, no progress/growth.

Vs. 11. God met their need again.

But, what was the feeling of God?

Ps 95:10. God says: I loathed (hated strongly) that generation

Unfortunately, they did not understand God's heart.

Vs. 10.. People who go astray in their hearts

Not known my ways. (They have seen God’s works, but did not know God’s ways)

Vs. 11 God swore in wrath

"They shall not enter my left"

Heb 3:11 some have lost it

Heb 4:6,7 God is giving another opportunity saying "Today".

What is this rest?

The author is comparing this rest with two rests mentioned in the Old Testament. 

1. Heb 4:4-6.  “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”

It is compared with God's rest. 

vs. 10 He who has rested from "his" (amp: human) works enters God's rest. 

Jn 6:28,29 life of believing is the life of rest. Not works, but faith.

To enter means to stay inside. It’s not just a one time event, but a continuous life of faith.

2.            Heb 4: 8 Joshua did not give this rest

 Comparing with Israelites possessing the promised inheritance, the rest that God had promised

How does it apply to us?

 

Heb 3:14 We have come to share in Christ

Enjoying the abundant life offered in Christ is the promised inheritance for New Testament believers. 

     Who missed / lost this rest?

Heb 3:16 who Rebelled?

Those who left Egypt. That means, they were the people who were redeemed by the blood of the lamb. They also passed through red sea.

This means, not all redeemed (or born again) by the blood of Christ enter this rest.

How did they miss it?

1.  Vs: 12, 19. Unbelieving heart (Not knowledge in mind, but Faith in heart is required) 

Why did it happen?

Heb 4: 2,1. No fellowship with believers 

There are two types of fellowships:

• Physical fellowship (Meeting physically)
• Mental fellowship(Being united in mind)

Physical Fellowship:

Ex. A stick catching file is not enough but it needs to be with other burning sticks (may not be strong but burning)

Heb 10:25 Some have habit of neglecting the fellowship.

Lk 4:16 Practice / habit of Jesus was to attend fellowship

No one is more/exception

Remember: “We are what we are because of our habits”

Let's make sure we have this habit of attending the fellowship of saints. 

     Mental fellowship

•       Uniting with those who have faith

Num 13:25-14:10

12 Spies -Two groups, Two reports

Both groups heard the good news. Ex 3:17, Lev 20:24

Majority (10 people) - Faithless report, bad report (Num 13:32)

Minority (2 people) - Faith Report, good report

13:30. Caleb speaks alone first with strong faith, not discouraged/afraid to stand alone, no self-pity either

14:6 Joshua supported - United with those who have faith

What about the rest of the congregation?

Num 14:1 they wept & grumbled

14:10 wanted to stone these 2 people.

They were "united" with faithless majority.

Result: Num 14:30

Not one shall enter, except Jashua & Caleb

2.  Heb 3:18,17,13 Disobedience

Faith leads to obedience

Eg. Abraham - left his home & offered his only son because he had faith

Unbelief leads to disobedience.

Disobedience to God’s word is sin. 

Continuing in sin leads to hardness of heart.(Judg 16:20)

Heb 4:11-13 God’s word is still powerful.

→ Living: It has life in it. It gives life to the dead. It is new and fresh. 

→ Active: powered up / charged up always

→ Sharper: Cuts hurts (It depends on our sensitivity to God’s word). Some may have seared conscience for whom God’s work does not work. (1 Tim 4:2)

→ Piercing: Division of soul & spirit or carnal & spiritual things. 

→ Discerning thoughts & intentions

(Not only words & actions II Cor. 5:16)

Vs.13 Nothing can be hidden from God / God's ward

→ To him we must give account. 

- In the light of God's word

- Keep short accounts with God. It means, keep confessing and correcting regularly as frequently as possible.

Here are the warnings:

Heb 3:12 Take care, brothers

4:1 Let us fear

4:11 Let us strive (work hard) to enter the rest