Through the book of Hebrews: an exploration and discussion—Chp. 4

Review key points in chapter 3:
• As Christians we are to be set apart (holy) to serve our holy God.
• Jesus is God and the builder/creator of all things.
• We as true believers (God’s house) must prove to be genuine by persevering in the faith until the end.
• The Israelites did not persevere in the faith and were not able to enter God’s rest because of their unbelief.
• Just like the Israelites, many professing Christians will not enter God’s (eternal life) rest.
• As Christians we need each other and are called to encourage one another daily so we do not become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

The promised land was physically Canaan, more importantly, spiritually it was a figure representing eternal life or God’s rest.

v. 1 What does “the promise of entering his rest still stands” mean to us today? Was it different for the Israelites? “…let us be careful…” can also be translated “let us fear” What does the verse say we should be fearful of?

The writer is warning his readers and us that there was a generation to whom the rest was promised, but they missed it. Are there generations that miss the promise today?

v. 2 How do I ensure myself that I won’t miss out on the promise of eternal life? The Israelites heard what God was saying, but they failed to do what?

v. 3 We who have believed________________________ Does this mean at the time of genuine trust/faith in our Lord we enter God’s rest?

v. 4-5 So we see that true believers began to enter God’s rest after the creation of the world (cf. Gen 2:2-3). Therefore, can we conclude that the Canaan was only a symbol of the eternal life that was and is obtained by faith/a complete and enduring trust in God?

Who are those that will never enter God’s rest? Then and now?

v. 6 Again, the gospel (good news) was preached to the Israelites (they knew the message) but did not go in because of their__________________.

v. 7 cf. Psalm 95:7-8…this warning was written long after Joshua had taken Israelites into Canaan—this highlights that it was quite possible to inhabit Canaan and yet forfeit the “rest” of God.

v. 8-9 “another day” This appears to be our final salvation from this world. A “rest” that transcends our experiences in this life to our new life in heaven. Sabbath-rest with God and an end to our work.

v. 10 Do we have to work out our salvation? Phil 2:12-13 What is our job description according to Heb 10:36?

v. 11 Let us, therefore, __________________________ so that we do not become disobedient.

v. 12 The word of God is _____________________________ Has the word penetrated your heart? How so?

v. 13 What is hidden from God’s sight? What is laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account? Should true believers be nervous about this? Is it scary that God sees everything you do? cf. 1 Cor 4:5

v. 14 Since we have a great high priest…Jesus the Son of God, let us ___________________________.

v. 15-16 Jesus can do what when we are weak? How was Jesus tempted? Because Jesus was like us, yet without sin, we can approach the throne of grace how? What do we receive when we confidently approach the throne?

“Many have pointed out that the Sinless One knows the force of temptation in a way that we who sin do not. We give in before the temptation has fully spent itself; only he who does not yield knows its full force” (Morris, pg. 46).

Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1981) Frank E. Gaebelein (ed.) Vol. 12
New International Version (1985) Study Bible.