Like you I'm new at this but not so young anymore and unfamiliar with this medium.
As to your question, the rest to which the author of the Hebrews refers to is three-fold 1) the rest of God after finishing His work of creation (4:4); 2) the rest Israel was to enter when entering the promised land (4:8), and 3) the rest promised to God's people when they are resting from their work when "crossing their Jordan" (4:9).
The author is urging his audience to make sure they do not fall short in paying careful attention to what hey have heard, namely the message of salvation (2:1-4), as the Israelites did when on the way to the promised land they were disobedient in their unbelief to the message to them. He is urging this lest they/we by their/our disobedience of faith or lack of faith/trust in the Lord fail to enter that rest.
The mention of the seventh day (4:4) is a referrence to the Genesis creation account of God's rest. Relating this to the other two kinds of rest in this passage, indicates that there is more to this rest than just physical rest, as if God were tired as we may be tired after a weeks work. This in turn should give us pause to use this text to claim that all of creation was made in six days as we have them today. Apart from science there are just too many questions around the creation account to know exactly how it all happened other than that God created all and it was very good when he completed it. In the meantime we do well in our preaching and teaching the message of salvation to stick to the way that He has given it to us without making all kinds of claims about how things actually happened from a scientific point of view.
Many older people are struggling with health challenges, handicaps of one sort or another and loneliness, even a sense of uselessness as a result. Micro-Sabbaths of prayer for children, grand- and great-grandchildren, other family members, as well as acquaintances who are struggling, of thanksgiving for many past and present blessings, of meditating on God’s Word, we have found can be really freeing and healing!
Posted in: Question on Hebrews 4?
Hello Brett,
Like you I'm new at this but not so young anymore and unfamiliar with this medium.
As to your question, the rest to which the author of the Hebrews refers to is three-fold 1) the rest of God after finishing His work of creation (4:4); 2) the rest Israel was to enter when entering the promised land (4:8), and 3) the rest promised to God's people when they are resting from their work when "crossing their Jordan" (4:9).
The author is urging his audience to make sure they do not fall short in paying careful attention to what hey have heard, namely the message of salvation (2:1-4), as the Israelites did when on the way to the promised land they were disobedient in their unbelief to the message to them. He is urging this lest they/we by their/our disobedience of faith or lack of faith/trust in the Lord fail to enter that rest.
The mention of the seventh day (4:4) is a referrence to the Genesis creation account of God's rest. Relating this to the other two kinds of rest in this passage, indicates that there is more to this rest than just physical rest, as if God were tired as we may be tired after a weeks work. This in turn should give us pause to use this text to claim that all of creation was made in six days as we have them today. Apart from science there are just too many questions around the creation account to know exactly how it all happened other than that God created all and it was very good when he completed it. In the meantime we do well in our preaching and teaching the message of salvation to stick to the way that He has given it to us without making all kinds of claims about how things actually happened from a scientific point of view.
Wishing you much wisdom and grace,
Peter
Posted in: Coaching Corner: Micro-Sabbaths
This is very helpful and uplifting!
Many older people are struggling with health challenges, handicaps of one sort or another and loneliness, even a sense of uselessness as a result. Micro-Sabbaths of prayer for children, grand- and great-grandchildren, other family members, as well as acquaintances who are struggling, of thanksgiving for many past and present blessings, of meditating on God’s Word, we have found can be really freeing and healing!
Thank you!