BIBLE STUDY: Hebrews 4:1-16

Holy Bible, New International Version

[janereinheimer]

The note for today is: "Find time today and everyday to rest in the Lord."

This chapter talks about two kinds of rest: God's rest and the rest he insists that his faithful followers take part in.

So what is God's rest?

God rested after he created the world. And then, when he had completed all things necessary for a smooth running of the world which he handed over to Adam, administratively, God rested on the seventh day.

But in verse 3 there were differences in this command to rest: Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

"So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'"

And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work." And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."

In order for me to be able to wrap my thoughts around this, I have to backtrack a bit to the time when the Israelites were gifted with manna from heaven. God specifically told the Israelites (Ex. 16:31) that they were to pick up only enough manna for the Today.

It required a lot of faith to resist hoarding. Some of the Israelites did hoard. Guess they weren't sure that God would keep his promise to supply them with the nutritious manna that fell from heaven.

The problem was that in their hoarding, their disbelief was met with a bunch of manna that got worms in it when it was stored.

It was like God saying to them, "Look, I told you people that I would give you fresh manna every day. You are supposed to have faith in my promises and not hoard any manna for tomorrow."

Okay, so now fast forward to God's promises here in Hebrews that the people who have faith in him are to rest on the seventh day. I repeat, in verse 3, God said, "Now we who have believed enter that rest ..."

This command continues in verses 8-10: For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

There it is as plain as day: work as hard and as furiously as we want, but on the seventh day, we are to rest. So put your feet up and enjoy your day of rest and have faith that God will give you energy aplenty for tomorrow to get your work started up again.

God wants us to show evidence of the faith we have in him. He gives us the free will to make such choices in our lives. He wants us to choose to do things that please him.

Farmers have a saying that work done on Sunday has to be re-done on Monday. For that reason, you seldom see farmers out in the fields working on Sunday. It's their day to rest.

And don't think you can ever sneak around and do something that God wouldn't be aware of. Read this in verse 13: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

And are we ever tempted? You bet we are!

We have Jesus the Son of God, who encourages us to hold onto the faith that we say we have. Jesus, as our high priest, was tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet he did not sin. Let us then approach each new day with confidence that our Lord will help us get through today minute by minute and hour by hour.

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[Hebrews 11:6]

Not only are we to rest on the seventh day and worship Him, but also on the other six while we work we are to rely on Him.

Thanks for your work!

[Delta 21]

Its more than just putting your feet up. The Wednesday Bible study, the Thursday worship practice, both services on Sunday and the carry in dinners....the daily fellowship with my friends who are Christians, the daily prayers for people I see needs in but know very little of their true depth of their circumstance...these are the things that bring me refreshment, rejuvenation and God’s peace and rest.

[janereinheimer]

I absolutely agree with you. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if people concentrated on building God’s kingdom?

[DouglasKC]

This command continues in verses 8-10: For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
There it is as plain as day: work as hard and was furiously as we want, but on the seventh day, we are to rest. So put your feet up and enjoy your day of rest and have faith that God will give you energy aplenty for tomorrow to get your work started up again.

The seventh day is surely meant for resting! And there is still a keeping sabbath.

But did you know that biblically Sunday is the first day and that the time period from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset is the 7th day?

Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Thank you for the article!

[Harrymehome]

I would like to add a bit more to this article concerning the Sabbath and why it was and still is so important for Hashem’s people to remember it. Many things in the Bible point to some future event. I will get to the point quickly. The 7th day Sabbath, is a sign to his people who keep it, of the forthcoming 7th mellinium, a millinium of rest and peace here on earth in the promised land from the Nile to the Euphrates of the Abrahamic pact. We are entering that millinium right now. One day is as a thousand years. From Genesis (4004BC) to now (2007) completes 6000 years (6 days). We are currently entering the 7th day or the 7th millinium of rest. Perhaps now you can understand why it says “in verses 8-10: For if Joshua had given them rest,”. Joshua brought them in the promised land (rest) in 1406BC but that was not the rest that Hashem had in mind. He had a future rest or occupation of that land planned for his chosen people (not just Israelites of the circumcision-sign of the land pact). That’s why it says “There “remains,” then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;” When Paul wrote this he’s talking about keeping the 7th day Sabbath because we still need to remember that day as a sign between Hashem and his people pointing to when they enter that land again and rest during the millinium we’re currently entering with the soon to be KING. There are many examples in Scripture where “rest” refers to Hashem’s people entering the Abrahamic land covenant. This is just one. 1Ch 23:25 For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever: Food for thought : What is Hosea 6:2 talking about? Hashem bless you in your search for TRUTH.

[DouglasKC]

   

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[Uri’el-2012]

Shabbat Shalom !

[Ping-Pong]

Thank you for the ping to this wonderful study.

[janereinheimer]

I knew that the Sabbath did not start out as a Sunday event — but when was it changed? When the calendars switched?

Appreciate your comments.

[janereinheimer]

What is Hosea 6:2 talking about? Hashem bless you in your search for TRUTH

—

Thank you.

Hosea 6:2 says “After two days he will revise us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

Interesting to say the least. If we are coming into the 7th millennium, then can we look for the 1,000 years of peace on this earth (finally), and then after two days (metaphorically a day is as 1,000 years), God will revive us to be with him/)as this third day begins?

This is a lot to ponder. The more I read the Bible, the deeper it becomes for me. And also, sharing the Bible Studies with others brings new perspectives.

Thank you. What do you think Hosea 6:2 means? Anybody?

[DouglasKC]

I knew that the Sabbath did not start out as a Sunday event — but when was it changed? When the calendars switched? Appreciate your comments.

Most scholars would say that traditional Christianity moved gradually from the sabbath to Sunday keeping.

There was still apparently some observance of the sabbath as late as 325 within traditional Christianity. The canons of the council of Laodecia in 325 has this as its 16th canon:

Canon 16
The Gospels are to be read on the Sabbath [i.e. Saturday], with the other Scriptures.

However, canon 29 makes it clear that traditional Christianity began to frown upon observing a "rest" on the sabbath:

Canon 29
Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honouring the Lord's Day;and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ.

So it's clear that some Christians as late as 325 were still keeping the sabbath in some form.

A study of early church history will make it evident that traditional Christianity made a strong movement away from practices that resembled Judaism. This was due mainly to Jewish revolts against Rome and the perceived role of the Jews in the death of Christ. Writings of that era and later show a remarkable amount of anti-semitism.

I realize that this is a very brief explanation, but there are many resources on the web available for further study.

[Diego1618]

I knew that the Sabbath did not start out as a Sunday event — but when was it changed?

Council of Laodicea in Phrygia Pacatiana 364 A.D.

Canon #XXIX [CHRISTIANS must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honouring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ.]

And......First Sunday Law enacted by Emperor Constantine on March, 321 A.D. ["On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain-sowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."] (Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time [A.D. 321].)

Thanks for the ping....Doug.

[DouglasKC]

Council of Laodicea in Phrygia Pacatiana 364 A.D.

Thank you for the date correction for the council diego.

[Diego1618]

I think it is important for folks to realize that no where in the pages of the New Testament are we told to dishonor the Sabbath by honoring Sunday instead. This “First Day” worship “tradition” is totally man made. It is not scriptural in the slightest......and instead, mocks the word of God. [Leviticus 23:3]

[DouglasKC]

I think it is important for folks to realize that no where in the pages of the New Testament are we told to dishonor the Sabbath by honoring Sunday instead. This “First Day” worship “tradition” is totally man made. It is not scriptural in the slightest......and instead, mocks the word of God. [Leviticus 23:3]

Most people do not do so maliciously or knowingly, but mostly because of tradition and culture. They often do not comprehend that many Christian customs and practices are rooted more in tradition than culture. Catholicism has often elevated tradition to a coequal status with scripture and many protestant denominations apparently follow the same tradition and reasoning.

[Diego1618]

Yup! [Mark 7:7]

[DouglasKC]

They often do not comprehend that many Christian customs and practices are rooted more in tradition than culture.

Should have been:

They often do not comprehend that many Christian customs and practices are rooted more in tradition than scripture.