Rest (Hebrews 4)

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For 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. For we have believed do enter that rest …”

(Hebrews 4:1-3)

Rest is the subject of Hebrews 4. In this chapter, the Sabbath Day is also mentioned. After God created all things, He rested, as listed in Genesis 2:1. The Lord also blessed and sanctified the seventh day. It was deemed a holy day on which God’s people were instructed to rest from their labor just as God rested from His work. 

Resting is of God. It is good and even commanded that we set aside time to rest. We are in limited physical bodies, and rest is recommended not only by God but also by physicians. But what does it mean to rest? To one person, resting may mean lounging around in their pajamas. To another, resting could mean taking a fishing trip. To another, resting could mean taking a vacation. If the definition of rest is left to man's interpretation, it could mean various things.

But what did God mean when He commanded us to rest? The Hebrew author states that the Israelites fell short of entering God’s rest. Hebrews 4:6 states they did not enter rest because of their disobedience. This disobedience had nothing to do with keeping the Sabbath. From what we know, it appears the Children of Israel kept the Sabbath without problem.

What kept the Israelites from entering God’s rest was their failure to take Canaan. It was their failure to believe. Numbers 13 and 14 show that God’s people refused to go forward and possess the Promised Land. Their disobedience is noted as being evil and driven by unbelieving hearts. Therefore, God promised, “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.” (Hebrews 4:3 and Psalm 95:11).

The rest God wanted the Israelites to have included believing in His Word. This rest was about faith, not the Sabbath. If they would have believed and obeyed God, they would have entered God’s Promised Land. Hebrews 4:9 tells us there still remains rest for the people of God, and we are able to enter that rest if we do the opposite of what the Israelites did. The Hebrew author wrote, “but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” (v.2). So, if we mix our faith with the gospel message we have heard, we will enter God’s rest. This rest is so much bigger than Sabbath Day rest. This rest is about believing and trusting in God until we are called home into our Promised Land in glory.

The Sabbath Day is not to be ignored, as we do not have the authority to overrule what God has established. But resting in God is not limited to the Sabbath. If we truly trust God, it should produce a resting within us that far outlasts one day of the week. It should cause us to “Be still and know that He is God.” (Psalm 46:10). The being still is about relaxing. It’s about releasing anxiety or care and having faith that we can rest in God and His plan.

Rest in Hebrew means “to stop” or “to abide.” We are to abide in Christ, which is a continuous assignment, not limited to one day. If we rest in the Lord daily, the One who knows all sees all and has the power to change all things, it should cause us to rest and relax in His power and love. Again, God’s rest is much bigger than one day. But even when we examine the Sabbath Day, we see it was not limited to rest only. It also included worship and remembering the Lord.

Numbers 28:9-10 reveals that God’s people were required to offer sacrifices on the Sabbath Day … “and on the Sabbath Day two lambs without blemish … this is the burnt offering for every Sabbath …”  If God’s people were required to sacrifice animals on the Sabbath Day, this means work was involved. They couldn’t slaughter and offer an animal without some form of work. Yet, God commanded that they cease labor on this day.

This means that God required them to stop secular work on the Sabbath, but spiritual work was still required. In fact, the spiritual work was intended to be the highlight of the Sabbath Day since there was no other labor to be done that day. God’s people were to be focused solely on the Lord and His due sacrifices, praise, and worship. And so, when we mention resting in the Lord today, it isn’t about lounging in pajamas, fishing trips, or vacations. Resting in the Lord is about faith, trust, and worship.

The Hebrew author states that, unlike the Israelites, we can enter rest with the Lord if we mix our faith with the preached gospel message. Jesus also tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Dear reader, we have access to rest—not ordinary rest, but holy rest. Rest given by the One who created and ordained it.

So, let’s rest in the Lord by faith and through our sacrifice of worship and obedience. Hebrews 4 reminds us that rest is promised to us. Through Christ, we have access to earthly rest in the Lord and eternal rest with Him in the afterlife. Just as you lay your head down at night believing that your bedframe will support you and that your pillow and comforter will comfort you, believe that God will do the same.

Rest. Rest in the Lord tonight, today, and forever more. The promise of rest is before you. So, rest, relax, and trust in God. That’s all I have for you. Rest in the Lord, and have a beautiful day. Until next time, take care.

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