Hebrews - worksheet 7
Jesus gives rest - Hebrews 4:1-11
NKJV heading is The Promise of Rest

Teaching video by David Guzik

Hebrews Chapter 4 context
Chapters 1 and 2 explained how Messiah could not be an angel, but had to be human in order to become our example and the ”Captain” of our salvation. Chapter 3 described Jesus as worthy of greater glory than Moses, since Jesus fulfilled the promises Moses only spoke of. Chapter 4 will continue to place Jesus as a higher example than Old Testament figures, including Joshua. This chapter bridges the focus of Hebrews from our need to ”hold fast” in faith to Jesus’ status as our ultimate High Priest (BibleRef).

Hebrews 4:1-10 (NKJV) says 1Therefore, since a promise remains of

Reveal Answer
, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3For we who have
Reveal Answer
do
Reveal Answer
, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For He has spoken in a certain place of
Reveal Answer
in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” 6Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of
Reveal Answer
, 7again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There
Reveal Answer
therefore a rest for the people of God. 10For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Q1 In verse 1, we see that the author continues on the promise (last session), which remains, of entering His rest. Do you agree with the concept of Jesus, or do you really trust Him in what He has done and will continue to do and be for us?

Q2 If you trust Him, you are finding that rest. Is rest just doing nothing, as you experience in your vacation? Or is it more? Rest can be described as:
1. Peace with God, with a satisfied soul and conscience.
2. Free from the bondage of sin.
3. Free from the ceremonies of the Levitical law, knowing that the law was fulfilled by Jesus.
4. Free to rejoice in the worship of God according to the Gospel.
5. The rest that God Himself enjoys.
God has this for you. Is this what your rest looks like? Why or why not? When and where will this rest be perfected?

Q3 What does verse 1b mean? If you are a person not having the full promised rest (=have come short of it), what should you do?

Q4 Verse 2 speaks about hearing the Gospel. About the preachers and the Jewish believers. But what was missing in the hearers? Is your hearing of the Gospel mixed with faith? If so, what is the profit?

Q5 Notice verse 3a, where people mixed the hearing with belief, did enter into God’s rest. Why God’s rest? That is explained in the end of verse 3. What does the phrase “the works were finished from the foundation of the world” mean? Isn’t it explained in verse 4?

Q6 Notice verse 8, where Joshua is mentioned. The names Joshua and Jesus are the same. Couldn’t Joshua have led the Wanderers into God’s rest in the promised land? He didn’t. Therefore, God speaks another day: Is Jesus the One who leads you in God’s place of rest? Doesn’t verse 9 confirm it?

Q7 Elaborate on verses 10 and 11. How is your position on this?

Conclude by singing this song.