Hebrews – Lesson 4 A Better Rest Hebrews - Lesson 4

Review Jesus Better than Moses Characteristics of Moses An imperfect “type” of Jesus Jesus superior to Moses in every way Disciples spoke of finding “the one Moses wrote about in the Law” Mount of Transfiguration Warning against disbelieving the “voice” of God (Heb 3:7-14) Hebrews - Lesson 4 Hebrews - Lesson 4

Warning Against Disbelief Read Hebrews 3:7-15 Writer quotes from Psalm 95 Reminds them of the Israelite’s rebellion in the wilderness Applies the same principle to the hearts of his readers Disbelief is costly business Hebrews - Lesson 4

The Rebellion You remember the story Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land to survey it When they returned they told of the wonders of the land Ten said that the land couldn’t be taken Joshua and Caleb trusted that it could Read Numbers 13:30-33, 14:1-9, 14:26-35 Hebrews - Lesson 4

For Discussion How is disbelieving God today like the rebellion in the wilderness? What part did “encouraging one another daily” (v. 13) play in the lives of the recipients of this letter? What part does it play today? Read Hebrews 3:16-19 What was to be their “rest”? What caused them to miss it? Hebrews - Lesson 4

The Promise of Rest Read Hebrews 4:1-7 What is the promise made here? The rest still remains It’s not too late What is different between the response of the Israelites and the readers of Hebrews? Gospel preached to both Israel did not have faith; it was of no value Hebrew readers apparently had faith Hebrews - Lesson 4

God’s Work is Finished Writer points out in verse 4 that God’s work is finished – His rest is complete Read Genesis 2:2-3 What does it mean that God rested? How do you view that rest? Read Exodus 20:8-11 What is the significance of this commandment? God wants a rest for His people! Hebrews - Lesson 4

Israel Failed to Obtain Rest The rest was there, bur Israel missed it The writer raises several points about Israel’s failure to receive their rest: They disbelieved and God disallowed them rest But it wasn’t because there was no rest to be had – it has existed from Creation God swore that they would never enter it A powerful – and motivating - statement! Hebrews - Lesson 4

The Rest Still Remains Read Psalm 95 A psalm of praise and worship Written by David, years after the rebellion in the desert “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts …” The Hebrew writer infers from Psalm 95 that the rest was still available “today” – at the time of David’s writing Hebrews - Lesson 4

Joshua’s Rest Imperfect Read Hebrews 4:8-11 What rest could Joshua have given them? Read Joshua 21:43-45 Why was this rest not permanent? An imperfect shadow of the rest to come Israel failed to obey Certainly NOT due to an unavailability of God’s rest Joshua, Jeshua, Jesus are all the same name Hebrews - Lesson 4

Joshua’s Rest Imperfect Since Joshua’s rest was imperfect, God spoke again later about rest Verse 9: “There remains therefore a rest for God’s people” Hebrews - Lesson 4

What the Rest Means for Us Verse 10: “for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own works, just as God did from His.” What does this passage mean to you? Rest in the current life? Rest in the life to come? Rest from working for salvation? Hebrews - Lesson 4

Make Every Effort Verse 11: “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest …” Seems rather ironic “Make every effort” vs. “rest” What is the writer contradicting himself? What is the risk of falling short? “Lest anyone fall …” Failing to reach God’s Promised Land Hebrews - Lesson 4

The Word of God Read Hebrews 4:12-13 What does the imagery used here mean? How is the Word living and active? Read John 1:1-2 Does the imagery from this passage apply here? Read 1 Peter 1:22-25 How do Peter’s thoughts mesh with those of the Hebrew writer? Hebrews - Lesson 4

Laid Bare by the Word How does the Word act like a sword? The Hebrew writer possibly uses some wordplay here: “Naked and open” in verse 13 is the same Greek word that would be used to describe baring one’s neck to the executioner, perhaps used deliberately with the reference to “sword” in verse 12 Does that change your mental picture? Hebrews - Lesson 4

For Discussion How does it make you feel to know that everything is “laid bare” before God? While that thought might make us uneasy, what has been put in place to set our hearts at ease (rest)? God says: There IS a rest It is available to those who believe Disobedience is costly Hebrews - Lesson 4

Next Week’s Lesson Questions? Lesson 5 – Jesus the Great High Priest Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Questions? Hebrews - Lesson 4