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Hebrews 4:3-7
We find in Hebrews 4:3 that those who believe do enter God’s rest, but the author goes on to quote Psalm 95:11 which states (NKJV), “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” which at first glance seems to be a immediate contradiction to the preceding statement that those who believe do enter His rest. This requires us to take a more direct look at the 95th Psalm, and in doing so we find that Psalm 95:7-8 is a call to not follow in the ways of those Israelites who rebelled against God in the wilderness but that:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.” [Psalm 95:7-8]
Psalm 95:11 is speaking of those of the rebellion and that God made the decision that they will not enter His rest. This is a direct reason of why the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years – until that generation of unbelievers all died (Numbers 14).
To address Hebrews 4:6, the author states that some must enter God’s rest as in keeping with God’s promise of the covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 15-17) noting the belief of Abraham in Genesis 15:6 declaring (ESV), “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” And in Genesis 17:1-2, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.’” The requirement for Abram (Abraham) and his descendants is to believe in the LORD and to walk before the LORD blameless, which those of the rebellion that wondered in the wilderness for forty years in the Exodus did not do. With this in mind, God, in keeping His covenant with Abraham, had to make a way for “some” (Hebrews 4:6) to enter His rest. Jesus proclaims in John 10:9 (NIV), “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.” He declares in John 11:25 (NKJV), “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” And in John 14:6 Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one come to the Father except through Me.” In Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV) Jesus gives the invitation, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.” [Psalm 95:7-8] (NKJV)
This is a promise that those who do believe in God will enter His rest.
This is a promise that Jesus is the way to enter into God’s rest.
We may all enter His rest if we will enter through the gate that leads to everlasting life. That gate is through Jesus, and He will give you rest for your soul.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to not be like those of the rebellion who refused to believe in You and were not allowed into Your rest. But Please open our eyes so that we may see and open our ears so that we may hear of the gospel of peace that saves the soul from the depths of hell that has such a strong grasp on this world today. Please help us to see and hear Jesus that we may live eternal through Him. In Jesus name I pray, amen.