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

Study Notes on Epistle to Hebrews - 2. Human Nature of Source of our Salvation

Part 2. Human nature of the source of our salvation (Hebrews 2:5-3:6)

We can divide this part into 4 smaller parts. 

1. Heb 2:5-9 

This portion is taken from the prophetic Psalm 8.

 We see here “man” & “son of man” (vs. 6)

Man was made little lower than angels. 

vs. 8: Now - everything is not under his subjection (The authority and privilege given is Gen 1:26 is lost due to sin)

Vs. 9. "But". Here, David is prophesying about another man who called himself -The Son of Man, Lord Jesus. 

• He was made lower than angels for a little while
• Suffered death (angels can't die, hence Jesus had to become lower than angels)
• crowned with glory & honor

David's prophecy got fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.

Why was he made lower than angels?

Reason is that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Does tasting death need the grace of God?

This death of Christ was not like any other death in the world. This death is “for everyon” or for the whole mankind.  

John 12:24 Death was necessary to bring fruit, to bring more people into the life of God.

God's grace comes by humility (1 Pet 5:5) 

Which means, when Jesus lived on the earth, He humbled himself → received the grace of God → tasted death with the help of God’s grace → brought life and blessing for all mankind.

Please refer to Мark 8:31-18, Luke 9:22-24, John 12:24,25.

Learning: 

Want to be a blessing for others ? 

Go through the death (to self, Gal 2:20). This needs grace of God. Grace comes by humility before God (not outward only humility before men) which is shown obeying God's word (James 1:21).

2. Heb 2:10-12

Many sons - we are made God's sons (John 1:12)

Jesus is God's son, we are His brothers (vs 11,12)

We both have one father. Jesus is our eldest brother. Like a younger brother learns from his elder brother, Lord Jesus leads the way, showing us how to live a godly life by the example of his own life. 

Ns. 17. He became like His brothers in every

Vs. 14. He took flesh & blood

Vs. 10. He suffered physically → through that suffering, He became perfect/mature

Vs. 11. This is the process of sanctification that God allows in our life. God allows difficult situations for our physical suffering. 

Learning:

Follow the example of Christ, our eldest brother. Not that Lord Jesus needed sanctification, but we, who are being sanctified need an example to follow which was given by the life of Lord Jesus. He went through the same physical sufferings we go through and lived a perfect godly life, thereby He is a perfect example for us to follow. 

Vs. 18. This applies to the suffering by temptation also.

He is able to help. we have to cry for help in temptation. The original word used for “help” here means the child who cries for help when he stumbles while walking and the father stretches his hand immediately to take hold of his son. This is the help Lord Jesus is ready to extend if we cry when we are being tempted so that we may not fall into sin (temptation in itself is not sin, but yielding to temptation is sin). 

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation allowed is beyond ability

But, no man is stronger than his weakest point in temptation. So, cry & get help from God in temptation. (Heb 4:15)

Eg: Peter just had to cry “Lord, save me” when he started to drown while walking on water. That much prayer is sufficient for us also at the point of temptation. 

3. Heb 3:1-6 

Faithful to God (Vs 2)

Moses (Num 12:7) was testified / certified by God as faithful.

Vs.3, 4. Jesus is greater than Moses as a builder is greater than the house.

Vs. 5. Moses was faithful as a servant

Vs. 6. Christ is faithful as a Son (a servant works for wages, honor, position, promotion, rewards, etc. where as a son works without expecting any of these)

Lk 2:49 Jesus recognized as early as at 12 years of age that he is in His Father's business.

Vs.2. faithful to God (who appointed/sent him)

Jn 5:30,6:38 Not to do own will, but God's will 

Jn 7:15-18 Not spoke on his own

Learning:

Live faithfully, faithful as son both in works and words.

4. Heb 5:7-9. 

In the days of his flesh/humanity,

Jesus offered prayers & supplications. This shows His dependence on God the Father. 

Jesus lived by faith, on God (Heb 2:13, what an astonishing prophetic verse that says Lord Jesus lived by faith on the earth).

“To Him who was able to save him from death” 

Was Jesus afraid of physical death? (Jn 14:1, Mt 20:28 Jesus was well prepared to face the physical death)

He was more concerned about spiritual death - separation from God the Father

a)

Rom 6:23 sin brings death (death is the result of sin)

2 Cor 5:21 Christ was made “sin” for us. 

On the Cross, the Holy God saw the “sin” in the place of His only begotten son. Being absolutely Holy, He could not even for a moment cannot maintain contact with sin (even if it is His only begotten son who is now made “sin” for mankind). God left the hand of Jesus on the cross, which is nothing but the spiritual death. Yes, Jesus experiences spiritual death on the cross for us. It is the Hell, separation from God. Jesus experienced the Hell so that we can be saved from eternal Hell, eternal separation from God. 

b)

Rom 8:6 Mind set on flesh is death (Carnal mind brings death as much as sin does).

Gal 5:16, 17 Carnal mind is against the spirit & spiritual things. It tries to satisfy the desires of flesh.

1 Cor 2:14 flesh/carnal mind cannot understand the things of Spirit

So, Jesus must have been praying for deliverance from such dangers. He feared God and hence, his prayer was heard.

Learning:

Prayer & fear of God together give us deliverance from the life of death.

Stay tuned for more notes from my study on Epistle to Hebrews...

Study Notes on Epistle to Hebrews - 1. Greatness of the Messenger of the Salvation

               Part 1. Greatness of the messenger of the salvation (Heb 1:1-2:4)

There is a danger of neglecting salvation if we forget how great the messenger of salvation is.

Heb 2:3 The salvation was first declared by the Lord (not by any man or angels).

That is why the author calls us to look at Jesus or to Consider Jesus (3:1, 12:6,2) in this letter. 

In this first part, author talks about the greatness of Lord Jesus who brought us the message of salvation which makes the salvation so great. 

Heb 1:1-4 

1. Son of God, heir of all things (vs. 2)

Which means, he was equal with God and He himself was God. (John 5:18, Phil 2:6)

2. Through whom God created the world (Heb 1:10, Gen 1:1, John 1:1)

3. Radiance of the glory of God. (John 1:14)

4. The exact imprint of God's nature (John 14:8,9)

5. Upholds the Universe by his powerful word (2 Pet 3:5,7)

6. Made purification for our sins

7. Sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high.

This also shows His equality with God. 

8. Exalted much above angels 

Heb:1:5-14

9. He is God & creator => worthy of worship, whereas angels are His servants (Vs. 6,7,14, John 20:17) 

This puts angels on the creation side and the Christ being the creator (Heb 1:10). Creation is supposed to worship the creator.

10. Enthroned forever => eternal God (Heb 1:8)

11. Never changing God (11,12 Heb 13:8)

This shows that the Lord Jesus is much greater than prophets & angels.

Heb 2:3 This is a great salvation. Because the messenger is so great, the salvation he preached is so great. 

Kings and prophets of old desired to hear or experience this great salvation. (Mt 13:16,17, Ps 18:50)

Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore”. Wherefore (Why)? Because the messenger and salvation are so great,...  We must pay closer attention to God’s word.

If not, we will "drift away" from salvation like a harbored ship drifts away slowly if not anchored. It may not be a noticeable change immediately, but definitely distance can be clearly seen after a period of time. 

Hebrews 2:2 

Message given by angels cannot be neglected. If we neglect the message given by such a great God about great salvation, how can we escape? 

There is a great great loss/penalty/punishment. 

Don't neglect God's word (the message). 

Phil 2:12 work out your salvation with fear & trembling.

Anything neglected will lose value slowly and get destroyed eventually.

Stay tuned for more notes from my study on Epistle to Hebrews... 

Study Notes on Epistle to Hebrews - Introduction

Greeting and peace to you in the most blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When I started to study the Epistle to Hebrews, I found it was unique and even more a mine of spiritual treasures. 

I want to share my study notes for the benefit of those who are interested to find some amazing spiritual facts from this epistle.

Of all the letters in the New Testament in the Holy Bible, the letter of Hebrews has the following uniqueness. 

• Unknown author (Many attribute to Paul, Peter, John the apostle and some even to Priscilla, but no evidence in the letter itself.)

• Though we do not know who is the human author of this letter, according to 2 Tim 3:16, this part of the scripture is also inspired by God for our edification. 

• Unknown recipients

But, we can deduce the nature of the recipients from the letter as follows:

Recipients could be possibly born again jews - 

• Offspring of Abraham (2:16) 

• Enlightened (6:4, 10:32) 

• Mention of Jewish faith / Jewish core religious aspects (angels, prophets, Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Melchizedek, High Priest, etc. 

• Labor & love for the saints (6:10)

• Even suffered/suffering for Christ (10:33,34)

Is this letter applicable for gentile believers?

In Christ, no jew nor gentile. (Eph 2:13-22, Gal 3:16)

So, this is very well applicable to gentile believers also.

Condition of the recipients: 

• Neglecting the great salvation (2:3)

• Falling away from Living God (3:12)

• Children, immature & unskilled in the word of God (5:11-14)

• In possible danger of apostasy (6:4-8, 10:26-31)

• Shrinking back & under the danger of being destroyed (10:39)

Main Purpose of the letter: 

To exhort/warn (13:22)

Author's attitude:

1. Exhorting/warning (13:22)

2. How can you escape? (2:3, 10:28-31)

3. Take care, brothers (3:12)

4. Let us not lose confidence / hope

Main focus of the letter: 

Completion of salvation / perfection of our salvation (this word occurs 10 times)

Other repeated words in this letter:

High priest (occurs only in Hebrews in New Testament, 33 times)

Promises/Promise/Promised - 18 times

Heavenly calling 3:1 

Heavenly gift 6:4

Heavenly things 8:5, 9:23 

Heavenly country 11:16 

Heavenly Jerusalem 12:22

Confidence - 5 times (3:6, 3:14, 4:16, 10:19, 10:35)

Living God 3:12, 9:14, 10:31

Living word 4:12

Living way 10:20

Better things 6:9 

Better hope 7:19 

Better covenant 7:22, 8:6

Better promises 8:6

Better sacrifices 9:23

Better possession 10:34

Better country 11:16

Better life 11:35

Better provision 11:40

Better word 12:24

Draw near- 6 times (4:16, 7:19, 7:25, 10:1, 10:22, 11:6)

Dead works - 6:1, 9:14

Eternal covenant 13:20 

Eternal Salvation 5:9 

Eternal Judgment 6:2 

Eternal Redemption 9:12 

Eternal Spirit 9:14

Inheritance 9:15

Share: 

In heavenly calling 3:1

In Christ 3:14

In His Holiness 12:10

Before we delve into the epistle, these things help us to understand the tone, focus, purpose and attitude of the letter and also help us to follow the argument style of the reason toward the main purpose.

Stay tuned for more notes from my study on Epistle to Hebrews...

My faithlessness in smallest of the things

Today God spoke to me about my failure in the test when some one asked me to say a small lie in order to avoid more work. I agreed to lie and thought, ok, I will not lie. But at the time of need, I lied where as the one who asked me to lie told the truth. Finally I felt ashamed for agreeing to lie. God spoke to me saying I was not faithful in smallest of things. I confessed my sin at the Lord. He forgave me. " Lord, Help me not to betray you or deny you for the benefit of my self". I thank God for speaking to me in this area.

ఉద్దేశ్యముతో కూడిన ప్రయాణము
(ఈ పుస్తకము నుండి ఎక్కువ ప్రయోజనము పొందుట ఎట్లు ?)
ఇది పుస్తకము మాత్రమే కాదు. దేనికొరకు నేను ఈ భూమిపై ఉన్నాను అన్నటువంటి జీవితములో అత్యంత ప్రాముఖ్యమైన ప్రశ్నకు జవాబును కనుగొనుటకు నిన్ను పురికొల్పు 40- రోజుల ప్రయాణమునకు మార్గదర్శి. ఈ ప్రయాణము చివరికి, నీ జీవితము కొరకైన దేవుని ఉదేశ్యమును నీవు తెలిసికొందువు. మరియు నీ జీవితములోని చిన్న చిన్న భాగాలన్నియు ఎలా యిమిడి ఉన్నాయో తెలిసికొందువు.
జీవితముపై ఇటువంటి దృష్టిని కలిగి ఉండుట నీ ఒతిడి ని తగ్గిస్తుంది, నీ నిర్ణయాలను సులువు చేస్తుంది, నీ సంతృప్తిని పెంచుతుంది, అత్యంత ప్రాముఖ్యంగా నిత్యత్వము కొరకై నిన్నుసిద్దపరుస్తుంది.
నీ ముందున్న 40 దినములు
ఈ రోజుల్లో సగటు మనవ జీవిత కాలము 25,550 రోజులు. నీవు సాధారణమైన వ్యక్తివి అయితే నీవు జీవించే దినములు ఇన్ని. మిగిలిన దినములలో నీవేమి చేయవలెనని దేవుడు కోరుచున్నాడోదానిని కనుగొనుటకు వాటిలో
40 దినములు ఏర్పరచుకొనుట తెలివైన పని కాదా?

40 దినముల సమయాన్ని దేవుడు ప్రాముఖ్యమైనదిగా పరిగణిస్తాడని పరిశుద్ధ గ్రంథం స్పష్టంగా తెలియజేస్తున్నది. దేవుడు ఎవరినైనా తన ఉద్దేశ్యముల కొరకు సిద్ధపరచుటకు ఆయన 40 దినములు ఉపయోగించాడు.
40 దినముల వర్షం నోవహు జీవితమును మార్చివేసింది.
40 దినములు సీనాయి కొండ పై ఉండుట మోషే జీవితమును మార్చివేసింది.
40 దినములు వాగ్ధాన దేశములో ఉండుట వేగులవారి జీవితమును మార్చివేసింది.
40 గోల్యాతు సవాలు దావీదు జీవితాన్ని మార్చివేసింది.
40 దినములకు సరిపడా బలాన్ని దేవుడు ఒక్క పూట భోజనముతో ఇవ్వడం ద్వారా ఎలియా జీవితం మార్చబడింది.
40 దినముల అవకాశం దేవుడు ఇవ్వడం వలన నీనెవె పట్టణమంతయు మార్చబడింది.
40 దినములు అరణ్యములొ ఉండుట వలన యేసు ప్రభువు శక్తిని పొందారు.యేసు ప్రభువు పునరుథానుడై లేచిన తరువాత 40 దినములు ఆయనతో ఉందుట శిష్యుల జీవితాల్ని మర్చివేసింది.
నీ ముదున్న 40 రొజులు నీ జీవితాన్ని మార్చివేస్తాయి.
ఈ పుస్తకం 40 చిన్న అధ్యాయాలుగా విభజించబడింది. రోజుకు ఒక్క అధ్యాయం మాత్రమే చదువవలెనని నేను మిమ్మును గట్టిగా కోరుచున్నాను. దాని వలన మీ జీవితానికి అన్వయించుకొని అలొచించుటకు మీకు కావలసినంత సమయం దొరుకుతుంది. "మీ అలోచనా విధానమును మార్చుట వలన దేవుడు మిమ్మును ఒక నూతనమైన వ్యక్తిగా మారుస్తాడు. అప్పుడు దేవుడు మిమ్మును ఏమి చేయమంటున్నడో మీరు తెలిసికొనగలరు."

Dedication

ఉద్దేశ్యముతో నడిపించబడు జీవితము
(రచయిత: రిక్ వారెన్)

ఈ పుస్తకము నీకే అంకితము చేయబడినది.
నీవు పుట్టకమునుపే దేవుడు నీ జీవితములో ఈ సందర్భమును ఏర్పాటుచేసి యున్నాడు.
ఈ పుస్తకమును నీవు కలిగి ఉండుట ప్రమాదవశాత్తు (అనుకోకుండా) జరిగినది కాదు. ఈ భూమిపై మరియు ఎన్నటెన్నటికీ నిత్యత్వములో నీవు జీవించుటకు దేవుడు ఏర్పరచిన జీవితమును నీవు తెలిసికోవాలని దేవుని ప్రగాఢమైన కోరిక.
మనమెవరమో, మనము దేనికోసం జీవిస్తున్నామో అది క్రీస్తులో మాత్రమే కనుగొనగలము. మనము క్రీస్తును గూర్చి మొదటి సారి వినుటకు చాలా కాలము పూర్వమే ... అయన దృష్టి మనపై ఉంది, మహిమతో కూడిన జీవితము కొరకైన ప్రణాలిక ఆయన కలిగి ఉన్నాడు, తన సంపూర్ణమయిన ఉద్దేశ్యములో కొంత భాగాన్ని ఆయన ప్రతి విషయములో, ప్రతి ఒక్కరిలో జరిగిస్తున్నాడు. (ఎఫెసీయులకు 1:11)
నా జీవితాన్ని ఈ స్తితికి తెచ్చి నాకు ఈ సత్యాలను నేర్పిన పూర్వకాలపు మరియు సమకాలీన వందల కొలది రచయితలకు మరియు బోధకులకు నేను కృతజ్ఞుడను. వీటిని మీతో ఏర్పాటు నాకు లభించిన ధన్యతకై దేవునికి, మీకు వందనస్తుడను.