This context flows throughout the book of Hebrews, as the author seeks establish the true identity of Jesus Christ, as God's Son, who is the Messiah, and Lord; Creator of all things, who became flesh.
Thanks for your input and bringing this to the mix. I hope the following excerpt from a study of Hebrews I have by A.S. Copley helps with our understanding.
Heb 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
LESSONS IN HEBREWS
FROM SHADOW TO SUBSTANCE
BY A.S. COPLEY
JESUS' HIGH PRIESTHOOD
CHAPTERS 3 to 7
"WHEREFORE holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High
Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" - Chap. 3:1. The High Priesthood of Jesus is the great
theme of this epistle. He is termed here "The Apostle," in contrast with Moses, who may be called
an apostle to Israel in his day. Moses is called a prophet in Deut. 18, where Jesus is foretold as
the Prophet who should come. In Deut. 33:5, Moses is termed a king. The Deity of Jesus Christ is
seen here in contrasting Him with Moses, who was faithful as "a servant" of God in leading Israel.
Jesus was more than a prophet and an apostle. He was God's Son; and He was God; for He
builded God's house, of which Moses was a part. Therefore, He deserves far more glory than
Moses. The national destiny of Israel will be on earth. But all who believe on Jesus thru-out this
age, whether Jews, or Gentiles, are reckoned in the church, whose calling is heavenly - I Cor.
12:12, 13 and Eph. 2:1. Hence, Paul addressed them as "partakers of a heavenly calling."
"But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence
and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" - V. 6. Does this "IF" determine man's eternal
destiny? Many folk claim it does. Paul does not here refer to personal salvation, but to the relation
of the Hebrews as a people to Christ. If they maintain the right attitude toward God, they are
called the "household of faith, the household of God" - Gal. 6:10 and Eph. 2:19. See also Matt.
24:45. Gentile believers also become members of God's great household by the same attitude of
faithfulness - Eph. 2:20-22. Col. 1:22, 23 conveys the same truth. A dozen children may keep a
household intact by confidence and obedience toward their parents; but if they break it up by
disobedience, they are still the children of those parents, tho' they may forfeit their future
inheritance. Hence, the fitting warning and exhortation which follow - "Harden not your hearts, as
in the provocation," etc. "So I swore in my wrath,
They shall not enter into my rest;" that is, into
the land of Canaan as the type, and into perfect rest of soul - Chap. 4:9. Study these entreaties -
Verses 7 to 13. "For we are made partakers of the Christ if we hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast unto the end" - V. 14. Like verse 6, this also has no reference to initial
salvation, but to our growth in grace. As we continue to believe in Christ and yield to Him, we
feed on Him and receive added strength, life and light from Him. All the graces of the Spirit
increase, and "the fruit of the Spirit" becomes more and more evident. Who failed to enter the
land of Canaan but those who failed to believe steadfastly the whole Word of God? - Vs. 15 to 19.
Who will receive no reward hereafter but those who fail to walk in the Spirit and judge their own
old man? They will be saved as by fire nevertheless - I Cor. 3:15.
The fourth chapter is an unfolding of this precious truth. Its theme is "His rest, My rest;" that is,
God's rest. "God did rest the seventh day from all His works" - V. 4. Hence, the seventh day
cessation from labor is typical of the rest of soul, promised by the Gospel - Matt. 11:28-30. It
typifies the millennium also, which the entering into Canaan suggested. Faith in the Gospel
brings salvation to sinners - Chap. 2:2-4. Likewise faith in the Gospel brings rest to believers,
which is the gist of this chapter. The power and profit of the Gospel, or Word of promise, are
emphasized; "for we which have believed do enter into rest." Perfect faith in Christ eliminates all
self-effort; "for he that is entered into His (God's) rest, also hath ceased (or rested) from his own
works, as God did from His" - V. 10. The possibility of falling from grace (Gal. 5:4) is here
indicated by verse 11, R.V. "Let us give diligence therefore to enter into that rest, that no man fall
into the same example of disobedience." The word Jesus in verse 8 should be Joshua. They
mean the same. "For the Word of God is quick (or living) and powerful (energetic) and sharper
than any two edged sword." Just think of that. It cuts where a material knife cannot, "piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit." Ah, yes, the Word shows up the soulish in
religious service and worship, and calls forth the spiritual, which does not grate, or grind. The fruit
of the Spirit is never soulish; neither can it be substituted, tho' an effort to imitate it may be made.
A heart knowledge of the full Gospel is the only way to spirituality, which culminates in this
sabbath rest in God. The Revised Version says, "Piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit,
of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart." The joints
and marrow seem to answer to the soul and spirit, as if the spirit were to the soul what the
marrow in the bones is to the joints. The soulish life is swallowed up in the life of the spirit; that is,
our renewed human spirit is controlled by the Spirit of God. The Word also discerns whether the
thoughts and intents of the heart are in full harmony with God's will. We may think what to say, or
do, and intend to act accordingly; but fail to act. These attitudes of heart are discovered to us by
the Word of God, that we may be at our best in worship and service.
Profound comfort flows from verses 14 to 16. Our "Great High Priest" again appears on the
scene; for all our blessings and victories are dependent upon Him. He is "The Word," of which
the printed page is simply the channel of operation. He "passed into the heavens," in spite of
fierce opposition (Eph. 1:19-21), into the presence of God in our behalf - Chap. 7:25. We have
not a frail creature (who has sin in the flesh as we have) for our high priest - one "who cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one who was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin." Therefore, He is able to succour us, or grant us frontrank protection, when we
are tempted - Chap. 2:18.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace" - V. 16. Why did God set bound's lest
Israel might touch Mount Sinai when the law was given? - Ex. 19:12. "A fiery law" was given to
Moses by the hand of stern justice. Sinful man could not approach the throne of holy justice.
God's holy Son, as High Priest, had not yet offered Himself as a sacrifice in man's stead and
ascended to heaven with atoning wounds. But now, the throne of law has become the throne of
grace. Wonderful beyond words to express! We have a representative in heaven - a Mediator, a
Go-between, even our Elder Brother (chap. 2:11), in whom we are accepted - Eph. 1:6. The God
of justice sees us thru the wounds of His Son."
Back to my input below.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10 For
he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God
did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
