The stone courtyard of a village house at sunset, an iron sickle and an empty harvest basket laid down on a stone bench, the day’s work done.

The Book of

Hebrews 4

Israel never entered God’s rest. The promise still stands, and Jesus our high priest invites us to come near.

16 verses≈ 3 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2The SonGod's final word, above the angels
3–4:13Enter His restGreater than Moses; today, hear HimChapter 4
4:14–7Our high priestTempted like us, a priest forever
8–10:18A new covenantOne sacrifice, once for all
10:19–13Run by faithHold on; fix your eyes on Jesus

The Sabbath Rest

Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.

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Now we who have believed enter that rest.

Hebrews 4:3

As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.

Three rests

Whiteboard

The writer reads Genesis 2 and Psalm 95 together. God has rested since creation, and He offered His rest to His people. The wilderness generation did not enter, and even the land under Joshua was not the last word, because long afterward God spoke through David of another “Today.” So the rest is still open: “There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God,” and “we who have believed enter that rest.”

Question

Quick question

The good news came to the wilderness generation too, but it did them no good.

Who does the writer say enter God’s rest?

In this chapter

The writer of Hebrews

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

Reflect

Laying down your own work

The writer says “whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work.” Where are you still trying to earn God’s welcome, or carrying a weight as if everything depended on you? Write it down, then write beside it what Jesus has already done for you.

The Living Word

Hebrews 4:12

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

A figure seen from behind kneeling at the foot of broad stone steps at dawn, hands open, warm early sunlight across the steps.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence

Hebrews 4:16

Pray

The throne of grace

Jesus knows your weakness from the inside: He was “tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.” So come to Him now, honestly and without fear. Tell Him what you need today, and ask Him for mercy and “grace to help us in our time of need.”

You’ve experienced

Hebrews 4

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A verse to carry with you

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

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