The Hard Work of Rest Hebrews 4(8- 9) So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

The book of Hebrews was written for the Jews who had accepted Jesus as their Messiah. They were in danger of slipping back into the traditions and works of Judaism. Hebrews 4(1-6) Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5 and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience.

Hebrews 4(7-11) He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through *David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.(* Psalms. 95:7, Ex 17:2-- Water from the rock)” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of *disobedience. *Satan deceived Eve by making her doubt God's word. " Did God actually say?'' Gen 3:1 # 1 strategy in stopping us from entering into God's promises! Disbelief leads to disobedience, which leads to the fall.

Context –Numbers 13 & 14 Rest = faith in God’s ability to fulfill His promises. Numbers 13(27 & 30) Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” Unrest = Faith that believes present circumstances are larger than God’s ability to overcome them. Numbers 13(31&33) But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” 33 “There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Our Rest believes God is Resting Hebrews 4(3-4) For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although* His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day. 'AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS'. Gen 2:2 * God's predetermined plan to bring us Salvation Heb 4 (10) For the one who has entered His rest has him self also rested from his works, as God did from His. Eph. 1(4) …just as He chose *us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. * Those who by faith would receive His plan of Salvation Rev. 13(8b) "the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world."

Jesus is the Believer's Rest in the New Covenant Hebrews 4(8) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. Matt 11(28) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you *rest''. The word in the Sept. for the Sabbath "*rest," is used here not from of cessation of work, but rest from religious works. e.g. the burdens imposed by the Pharisees Mark 2(27-28) Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28.“So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Exodus 31(17) “It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was *refreshed. Ex 23(12) Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may *refresh themselves. * Naphash (figuratively) refreshed as if by a current of air Literally to cease from working. First the natural then the spiritual! Resting entails cessation of laborious activity.

The key of true rest is to be positioned before Him who is Perfect Rest. Isaiah 40 (28-31) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who *wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. *qavah- to wait in expectant hope to bind or be twisted together with as in the strands rope

Hebrews 4(8-9) So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. The foundation of biblical rest is the simplicity of believing God’s word and His ability to fulfill it. This is Biblical righteousness. The Power and authority of the New Covenant embraces the fact that the work of the Godhead is finished and so is ours in Christ. Enduring rest is attainable because of the fact that all of the promises of God are ''yes'' and ''amen'' in Christ Jesus. Our responsibility is to take the time and make the place to cease from our labors and to position ourselves in the refreshing presence of God. Jesus invites us to come to Him when we are weary and heavy laden. This entails body, soul, and spirit. As we do, God's promise to us is that as we will gain new strength; run and not get tired, and will walk and not become weary.