HF182 - Hebrews 3:7-19 (#8 Entering His Rest - Part One)
To: Hebraic-Foundations@YahooGroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Subject: Bible Study HF182 - Hebrews 3:7-19 (#8 Entering His Rest - Part One)
Hebraics,
In the two following studies we will be looking at what the Bible means by, 'the rest.' In the new covenant this term applies to the finished work of the cross. But since this subject actually continues into the next chapter, in this initial study we will simply consider the background for one of the most awesome doctrines of the new covenant.
This is Bible Study HF182 - Hebrews 3:7-19 (#8 Entering His Rest - Part One)
Heb 3:7-11 - "Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, and saw My works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with this generation, and said, "They always go astray in their heart, and they did not know My ways; as I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"'"
These Scriptures are drawing on the history of Israel coming out of Egypt, and relegating that occurrence to what was happening with the Hebrew people at the present time. The parallel is striking.
The 'forty year' period of time of wilderness wanderings corresponds to the forth years from the ministry of Christ to the destruction of the temple in 70 a.d. Both periods of times were transitional times. And both time frames saw great wonders from God.
What adds interest to this is how God distinguishes between those who are of truth faith with those who always 'go astray in their heart.' Even Moses himself spoke of these 'strayers of heart.'
Listen to part of the song of Moses (Also called the song of Moses and the Lamb in the book of Revelation):
"The Rock! His work is perfect (reflects on the new creation), for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. They have acted corrupted toward Him, they are not His children, because of their defect; but are a perverse and crooked generation." (Cf. Deu32:4,5)
On the day of Pentecost, when Peter tells the people, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation," he was drawing from Moses. (Acts 2:40)
There is much more to be said concerning the afore Scriptures. I'll leave those things open for further discussion. (i.e., 'hear His voice,' etc.)
v12 - "Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God."
Here again we see another warning that is made to those who seemingly have recognized Jesus as the Messiah. These warnings will intensify through the book. But with each warning there will also be an encouragement.
In the Scriptures an 'evil heart of unbelief' can be traced back to Adam. Adam refused God's Word and thus alienated himself from the life of God, that is, the life that God intended Adam to have and enjoy.
This is where it is important to understand that Canaan, the land of promise, does not necessarily represent heaven in the Scriptures. It is most often used to represent the believer's inheritance and blessings in Christ that has much to do with our present life.
v13 - "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
While 'it is still called "Today"' is a likely reference to the transitional phase that the covenant people were undergoing with regard to entering into the new covenant and the finished work of the cross.
In the this case the 'deceitfulness of sin' would apply to how Satan would use their present circumstances to draw them away from faith in Jesus Christ.
vv14,15 - "For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.'"
And here we come to the big 'if' of the new covenant. Hearing the voice of Christ is the vital key to salvation. This term actually speaks to the very Greek word that is translated over into English, as 'Church.'
Christ is the builder of the Church. The Greek word for church is 'ekklesia.' This term speaks of a 'called out' assembly of believers. Ek = out of. Kaleo = to call.
The original word spoke of a calling together of citizens. In the new covenant it speaks of out gathering together to Jesus. This is why Jesus said, "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Matt18:20)
This also relates to a prophesy that Jacob gave concerning his son, Judah;
"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh (Messiah) comes, and to him shall be the obedience (gatherings) of the peoples." (Gen49:10)
The Targums applied 'Shiloh' to Messiah. The word 'obedience,' which is translated as 'gathering' in the King James Bible, is a very interesting word. 'Yiqqahah' speaks of an inner submission of the heart; also purging, cleansing, and even tranquility. It is kin to a root word that means 'blameless.'
Jesus gives us tranquil hearts.
vv16-19 - "For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief."
In our next study we will look more closely at what the rest really means in the covenant of Christ. To conclude Part One, let me simply add that the ancients had a strong belief in the Messiah being the 'rest giver.' Some thought that Noah would be that person. Then there were others.
When Jesus told the people to come to Him for rest, they would have understood this in a way that can easily escape the notice of the casual reader.
The study is open. Feel free to offer your thoughts or ask questions.
Blessings,
Buddy
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy <at> ChristianChallenge.Org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hebraic-Foundations/
Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DepartingUPC/
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)