Hebrews 4:1-13: Receiving God's Blessings
American business tycoon Roger Babson once observed, "Opportunities are greater today than ever before in history. Young people have greater chances for health, happiness, and prosperity than had the children of any previous generation." The same is true for Christians in God's faith-race.
It was true for God's people, Israel, yet they missed the opportunity for living in God's land of blessing and perished in a wilderness of unbelief and disobedience. This chapter tells Christians in the race that there is something to fear, but also something to strive for—experiencing God's promised rest now.
Warming Up to God
Do you need more times of rest in your life? In what areas?
Read Hebrews 4:1-13. »
Discovering the Word
- What do you think the promise of entering God's rest means in verse 1?
- The tragic fate of the Israelites who perished in the desert serves as the basis of God's warning to those who have heard the gospel. Why did some who had the gospel preached to them miss their opportunity to receive God's rest (v. 2)?
- From what you have observed in Hebrews thus far, how would you describe the faith which is required to receive God's rest?
- We are told to do our best to reach God's rest (3:11, 18; 4:1, 3, 5-6,9-11). How do you picture such rest?
- Verses 6-8 refer to the Israelites. How did they refuse to receive God's rest?
- The "word of God" that judges our thoughts and attitudes (vv. 12-13) is the specific promise of God's rest. How can God's Word show you the condition of your heart?
Applying the Word
- God rested from all of his work (v. 4), and he offers us a "Sabbath-rest" on the seventh day of the week. What does it mean to you to rest from your work?
- What role does Scripture have in your life right now?
- How would you like to deepen or change that relationship?
Responding in Prayer
Praise God for the gifts in this passage—of Scripture and of rest.
For Further Study
Sabbath Keeping by Lynne M. Baab