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A A Study Study Of The Of The Apostle Apostle Paul’s Letter Paul’s Letter To The To The Hebrews Hebrews Don’t Don’t drift drift away! away! Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvatio salvatio n! n! Don’t Don’t Depart! Depart! Don’t Don’t fall fall away! away! Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidence confidence ! ! Don’t Don’t harden harden your your heart! heart! How can we neglect so How can we neglect so great great a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews

A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

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Page 1: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

AAStudyStudyOf TheOf TheApostleApostle

Paul’s LetterPaul’s LetterTo The To The

HebrewsHebrews

Don’t Don’t drift drift away!away!

Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvationsalvation!!

Don’t Don’t Depart!Depart!

Don’t Don’t fall fall awayaway!!

Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidenceconfidence!!

Don’t Don’t hardeharden your n your heart!heart!

How can we neglect so How can we neglect so greatgreat

a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3 2:3

Page 2: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)

Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)

Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—

7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)

Page 3: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)

Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)

Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)

Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)

Page 4: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

In our study of In our study of chapter 3, we , we examined Paul’s points concerning examined Paul’s points concerning Jesus’ being superior to Moses, not Jesus’ being superior to Moses, not

only in His only in His officeoffice ( (3:1-2) and His ) and His ministryministry ( (3:3-6), but also in His ), but also in His

rewardreward or rest. or rest.

Page 5: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Today we’re going to investigate Today we’re going to investigate Christ’sChrist’s reward (His rest) a little reward (His rest) a little further, bring- further, bring- ing Joshuaing Joshua intointo the the

picture,picture, whichwhich meansmeans that Paul was that Paul was also teaching that also teaching that Jesus is greater Jesus is greater

than Joshuathan Joshua who brought the who brought the Israelites directly into the land of Israelites directly into the land of

rest promised to them through rest promised to them through Abraham and Moses. Paul’s main Abraham and Moses. Paul’s main

purpose here was to warn his purpose here was to warn his readers against forfeit-ing the readers against forfeit-ing the

soon coming soon coming spiritualspiritual—and —and ultimately ultimately eternaleternal—reward as their —reward as their forefathers forfeited their forefathers forfeited their physicalphysical

—and ultimately their —and ultimately their eternaleternal——reward.reward.

Page 6: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Therefore, since Therefore, since a promise a promise remains of remains of entering His entering His rest, let us fear rest, let us fear lest any of you lest any of you seem to have seem to have come short of it.come short of it.

HebrewHebrews s 4:1 4:1

Page 7: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Therefore, since Therefore, since a promise a promise remains of remains of entering His entering His restrest, let us fear , let us fear lest any of you lest any of you seem to have seem to have come short of it.come short of it.

This statement This statement im-plies the idea im-plies the idea of ful-fillment; of ful-fillment; i.e., Paul was i.e., Paul was saying that al-saying that al-though the though the promise to Moses promise to Moses for a phy-sical for a phy-sical rest in Canaan is rest in Canaan is past, past, the promise the promise of our entrance of our entrance into God’s rest is into God’s rest is yetyet ((AD 63AD 63) ) to be to be fulfilledfulfilled ..

This statement This statement im-plies the idea im-plies the idea of ful-fillment; of ful-fillment; i.e., Paul was i.e., Paul was saying that al-saying that al-though the though the promise to Moses promise to Moses for a phy-sical for a phy-sical rest in Canaan is rest in Canaan is past, past, the promise the promise of our entrance of our entrance into God’s rest is into God’s rest is yetyet ((AD 63AD 63) ) to be to be fulfilledfulfilled ..

Page 8: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Therefore, since Therefore, since a promise a promise remains of remains of entering His entering His rest, rest, let us fear let us fear lest any of you lest any of you seem to have seem to have come short of itcome short of it..

If we just replace If we just replace the word the word seem with with appearappear ((which is ac-which is ac-ceptable hereceptable here), this ), this clause isn’t clause isn’t difficult difficult toto interpret;interpret; i.e.,i.e., PaulPaul would’ve been would’ve been tact- tact- fully saying fully saying that theythat they needed needed to get busy so to get busy so they wouldn’t they wouldn’t appearappear outsideoutside the soon coming the soon coming king-dom of king-dom of rest/peace.rest/peace.

If we just replace If we just replace the word the word seem with with appearappear ((which is ac-which is ac-ceptable hereceptable here), this ), this clause isn’t clause isn’t difficult difficult toto interpret;interpret; i.e.,i.e., PaulPaul would’ve been would’ve been tact- tact- fully saying fully saying that theythat they needed needed to get busy so to get busy so they wouldn’t they wouldn’t appearappear outsideoutside the soon coming the soon coming king-dom of king-dom of rest/peace.rest/peace.

Page 9: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Therefore, since Therefore, since a promise a promise remains of remains of entering His entering His rest, let us rest, let us fearfear lest any of you lest any of you seem to have seem to have come short of it.come short of it.

This word means This word means the same thing as the same thing as beware in in 3:12; ; speaking to speaking to Christi-ans about Christi-ans about Jews, Paul wrote, Jews, Paul wrote, Because of unbelief they were broken off…. [So] do not be haughty, but fear

((Rom. 11:20).).

This word means This word means the same thing as the same thing as beware in in 3:12; ; speaking to speaking to Christi-ans about Christi-ans about Jews, Paul wrote, Jews, Paul wrote, Because of unbelief they were broken off…. [So] do not be haughty, but fear

((Rom. 11:20).).

Page 10: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Therefore, since Therefore, since a promise a promise remains of remains of entering His entering His rest, let us fear rest, let us fear lest any of you lest any of you seem to have seem to have come shortcome short of it. of it.

Though this Though this phrase may make phrase may make us think of the us think of the many Israel-ites many Israel-ites who who came short of of the promised land,the promised land, Paul may have Paul may have actu-ally had the actu-ally had the Grecian games in Grecian games in mind, be-cause mind, be-cause the judges the judges applied this same applied this same phrase to the phrase to the loser, no matter loser, no matter how close he how close he came to being the came to being the winner.winner.

Though this Though this phrase may make phrase may make us think of the us think of the many Israel-ites many Israel-ites who who came short of of the promised land,the promised land, Paul may have Paul may have actu-ally had the actu-ally had the Grecian games in Grecian games in mind, be-cause mind, be-cause the judges the judges applied this same applied this same phrase to the phrase to the loser, no matter loser, no matter how close he how close he came to being the came to being the winner.winner.

Page 11: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For indeed the For indeed the Gospel was Gospel was preached to us preached to us as well as to as well as to them; but the them; but the word which they word which they heard did not heard did not profit them, not profit them, not being mixed being mixed with faith in with faith in those who those who heard it.heard it.

HebrewHebrews s 4:2 4:2

Page 12: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For indeed For indeed the the GospelGospel was was preached to us preached to us as well as to as well as to them; but the them; but the word which they word which they heard did not heard did not profit them, not profit them, not being mixed being mixed with faith in with faith in those who those who heard it.heard it.

To get a good To get a good grasp on this grasp on this verse, we should verse, we should note that…note that…

1. In the original, In the original, there is no defi- there is no defi- nite article nite article (“the”). And… (“the”). And…

2. The word The word Gospel simply means simply means good newsgood news; i.e., ; i.e.,

good news was good news was proclaimed to proclaimed to both groups both groups..

To get a good To get a good grasp on this grasp on this verse, we should verse, we should note that…note that…

1. In the original, In the original, there is no defi- there is no defi- nite article nite article (“the”). And… (“the”). And…

2. The word The word Gospel simply means simply means good newsgood news; i.e., ; i.e.,

good news was good news was proclaimed to proclaimed to both groups both groups..

Page 13: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Since the context defines this Since the context defines this good news, then we know that , then we know that

Paul was writing about the Paul was writing about the physical rest for the generation physical rest for the generation

that came out of Egyptian that came out of Egyptian bondage and wilderness bondage and wilderness

hardship as well as the spiritual hardship as well as the spiritual rest for the generation that was rest for the generation that was

thenthen((AD 63AD 63) coming out of sin’s ) coming out of sin’s bondage and persecution bondage and persecution

hardship.hardship.

Page 14: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For indeed the For indeed the Gospel was Gospel was preached to us preached to us as well as to as well as to them; but the them; but the word which they word which they heard did not heard did not profit them, not profit them, not being being mixedmixed with faith in with faith in those who those who heard it.heard it.

This word means This word means to unite one thing to unite one thing to anotherto another, simply , simply meaning that the meaning that the good news of rest good news of rest in Canaan in Canaan promised to those promised to those of Moses’ day of Moses’ day didn’t do them didn’t do them any good. Why? any good. Why?

This word means This word means to unite one thing to unite one thing to anotherto another, simply , simply meaning that the meaning that the good news of rest good news of rest in Canaan in Canaan promised to those promised to those of Moses’ day of Moses’ day didn’t do them didn’t do them any good. Why? any good. Why?

Page 15: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For indeed the For indeed the Gospel was Gospel was preached to us preached to us as well as to as well as to them; but the them; but the word which they word which they heard did not heard did not profit them, not profit them, not being being mixedmixed with faith in with faith in those who those who heard it.heard it.

Because, due to Because, due to dis-belief and dis-belief and distrust in God, distrust in God, they rebelled they rebelled against Him and against Him and thus failed to thus failed to make it into that make it into that rest.rest.

This teaches us This teaches us that the coin is that the coin is double-sided: double-sided: God’s Word God’s Word ++ Our Our Faith Faith == Reward Reward ((cf. cf. Mat. 7:26-27).).

Because, due to Because, due to dis-belief and dis-belief and distrust in God, distrust in God, they rebelled they rebelled against Him and against Him and thus failed to thus failed to make it into that make it into that rest.rest.

This teaches us This teaches us that the coin is that the coin is double-sided: double-sided: God’s Word God’s Word ++ Our Our Faith Faith == Reward Reward ((cf. cf. Mat. 7:26-27).).

Page 16: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For we who For we who have believed have believed do enter that do enter that rest, as He said, rest, as He said, “So I swore in “So I swore in My wrath, they My wrath, they shall not enter shall not enter My rest,” My rest,” although the although the works were works were finished from finished from the foundation the foundation of the world.of the world.

HebrewHebrews s 4:3 4:3

Page 17: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For we who For we who have believed have believed do enter that do enter that rest, as He said, rest, as He said, “So I swore in “So I swore in My wrath, they My wrath, they shall not enter shall not enter My rest,” My rest,” although the although the works were works were finished from finished from the foundation the foundation of the world.of the world.

When When verses 2b and and 3a are read are read together,together, the the contrast and contrast and meaning are meaning are clear: because of clear: because of unbeliefunbelief those of those of Moses’ day did Moses’ day did notnot enter into enter into rest, while rest, while because of because of beliefbelief ……

When When verses 2b and and 3a are read are read together,together, the the contrast and contrast and meaning are meaning are clear: because of clear: because of unbeliefunbelief those of those of Moses’ day did Moses’ day did notnot enter into enter into rest, while rest, while because of because of beliefbelief ……

Page 18: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For we who For we who have believed have believed do enterdo enter that that rest, as He said, rest, as He said, “So I swore in “So I swore in My wrath, they My wrath, they shall not enter shall not enter My rest,” My rest,” although the although the works were works were finished from finished from the foundation the foundation of the world.of the world.

……those of that those of that day day werewere entering entering into rest. (into rest. (The The term term eisep-eisep-chomethachometha for for do enter isn’t only isn’t only present in its tense, present in its tense, it’s also passive, it’s also passive, meaningmeaning thatthat theythey were being carriedwere being carried into this rest; i.e., at into this rest; i.e., at this point, Paul this point, Paul implied that they implied that they had yet to enter it.had yet to enter it.))

……those of that those of that day day werewere entering entering into rest. (into rest. (The The term term eisep-eisep-chomethachometha for for do enter isn’t only isn’t only present in its tense, present in its tense, it’s also passive, it’s also passive, meaningmeaning thatthat theythey were being carriedwere being carried into this rest; i.e., at into this rest; i.e., at this point, Paul this point, Paul implied that they implied that they had yet to enter it.had yet to enter it.))

Page 19: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For we who For we who have believed have believed do enter that do enter that rest, as He said,rest, as He said, “So I swore in “So I swore in My wrath, they My wrath, they shall not enter shall not enter My rest,”My rest,” although the although the works were works were finished from finished from the foundation the foundation of the world.of the world.

By referring to By referring to this promise, Paul this promise, Paul was saying to was saying to them that if God’s them that if God’s promise against promise against unbelievers was unbelievers was fulfilled, then fulfilled, then surely His surely His promise to promise to believers would believers would likewise be likewise be fulfilled.fulfilled.

By referring to By referring to this promise, Paul this promise, Paul was saying to was saying to them that if God’s them that if God’s promise against promise against unbelievers was unbelievers was fulfilled, then fulfilled, then surely His surely His promise to promise to believers would believers would likewise be likewise be fulfilled.fulfilled.

Page 20: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For we who For we who have believed have believed do enter that do enter that rest, as He said, rest, as He said, “So I swore in “So I swore in My wrath, they My wrath, they shall not enter shall not enter My rest,” My rest,” although the although the works were works were finished from finished from the foundation the foundation of the worldof the world..

This clause is This clause is diffi-cult to diffi-cult to connect, but it connect, but it seems that Paul seems that Paul was saying that was saying that eveneven though though God God had worked all had worked all things out for the things out for the forefath-ers to forefath-ers to enter their rest, enter their rest, He still forbade He still forbade entrance to those entrance to those who distrusted who distrusted and disobeyed. and disobeyed. So…So…

This clause is This clause is diffi-cult to diffi-cult to connect, but it connect, but it seems that Paul seems that Paul was saying that was saying that eveneven though though God God had worked all had worked all things out for the things out for the forefath-ers to forefath-ers to enter their rest, enter their rest, He still forbade He still forbade entrance to those entrance to those who distrusted who distrusted and disobeyed. and disobeyed. So…So…

Page 21: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For we who For we who have believed have believed do enter that do enter that rest, as He said, rest, as He said, “So I swore in “So I swore in My wrath, they My wrath, they shall not enter shall not enter My rest,” My rest,” although the although the works were works were finished from finished from the foundation the foundation of the worldof the world..

It seems that the It seems that the implication is that implication is that He’d do the same He’d do the same to them; i.e., no to them; i.e., no matter how much matter how much He put into He put into providing them providing them this rest, if they this rest, if they failed to trust and failed to trust and obey, they, like-obey, they, like-wise, wouldn’t be wise, wouldn’t be allowed entrance!allowed entrance!

It seems that the It seems that the implication is that implication is that He’d do the same He’d do the same to them; i.e., no to them; i.e., no matter how much matter how much He put into He put into providing them providing them this rest, if they this rest, if they failed to trust and failed to trust and obey, they, like-obey, they, like-wise, wouldn’t be wise, wouldn’t be allowed entrance!allowed entrance!

Page 22: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For He has For He has spoken in a spoken in a certain place of certain place of the seventh day the seventh day in this way: in this way: “And God rested “And God rested on the seventh on the seventh day from all His day from all His works”; & againworks”; & again

inin thisthis place: place: “They shall not “They shall not enter My rest.”enter My rest.”

HebrewHebrews s 4:4-5 4:4-5

Page 23: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Since Paul used Since Paul used an-otheran-other “type”“type” fromfrom Gen. 2:2 here, the picture here, the picture becomes a little becomes a little more complex; more complex; i.e., not only do i.e., not only do we have the we have the Canaan-rest Canaan-rest typifying the typifying the Christian-rest, but Christian-rest, but we also have the we also have the Sabbath-rest typi-Sabbath-rest typi-fying the fying the Christian-rest.Christian-rest.

Since Paul used Since Paul used an-otheran-other “type”“type” fromfrom Gen. 2:2 here, the picture here, the picture becomes a little becomes a little more complex; more complex; i.e., not only do i.e., not only do we have the we have the Canaan-rest Canaan-rest typifying the typifying the Christian-rest, but Christian-rest, but we also have the we also have the Sabbath-rest typi-Sabbath-rest typi-fying the fying the Christian-rest.Christian-rest.

For He has For He has spoken in a spoken in a certain place of certain place of the seventh day the seventh day in this way: in this way: “And God rested “And God rested on the seventh on the seventh day from all His day from all His works”works”; & again; & again

inin thisthis place: place: “They shall not “They shall not enter My rest.”enter My rest.”

Page 24: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For He has For He has spoken in a spoken in a certain place of certain place of the seventh day the seventh day in this way: in this way: “And God rested “And God rested on the seventh on the seventh day from all His day from all His works”; & againworks”; & again

inin thisthis placeplace: : “They shall not “They shall not enter My rest.”enter My rest.”

Paul said this, I Paul said this, I be-lieve, because be-lieve, because he was referring he was referring to the statement to the statement of David that he of David that he had just quoted … had just quoted … in this context … in this context … twice before (twice before (3:11 & & 4:3). ).

Paul said this, I Paul said this, I be-lieve, because be-lieve, because he was referring he was referring to the statement to the statement of David that he of David that he had just quoted … had just quoted … in this context … in this context … twice before (twice before (3:11 & & 4:3). ).

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What exactly is What exactly is My rest? I believe ? I believe He-brews in general ( in general (e.g. e.g. chap. 9) ) indicates that God’s rest is the indicates that God’s rest is the

peace that’s to be found only in His peace that’s to be found only in His presence. Those Jews who rebelled presence. Those Jews who rebelled

and didn’t make it through theand didn’t make it through the

wildernesswilderness intointo Canaan,Canaan, alsoalso

wouldn’t make it into God’s eternal wouldn’t make it into God’s eternal presence (presence (with exceptions such as with exceptions such as MosesMoses); likewise, those Jews who ); likewise, those Jews who didn’t make it through the tri-didn’t make it through the tri-

bulation also didn’t make it into bulation also didn’t make it into God’s eternal kingdom of rest & God’s eternal kingdom of rest &

peace. So, the picture we have here peace. So, the picture we have here seems to be this:seems to be this:

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God worked 6 days creating. God and God worked 6 days creating. God and man had a perfect relationship. God man had a perfect relationship. God

saw that all was good, so He rested in saw that all was good, so He rested in that (that (Gen. 2:2, , approx. 4,000 BCapprox. 4,000 BC). Then ). Then

man sinned, so God began working to man sinned, so God began working to bring about man’sbring about man’s recon-ciliationrecon-ciliation ((John

5:17).). During that work, He (During that work, He (approx. approx. 2,500 yrs. later2,500 yrs. later) established the obser-) established the obser-

vance of the 7vance of the 7thth day ( day (Exo. 16) as a ) as a reminder of that previous state of reminder of that previous state of

rest. At this same time, Israel was on rest. At this same time, Israel was on her way to a place of rest where she her way to a place of rest where she could freely worship God & keep His could freely worship God & keep His

sabbaths (sabbaths (Exo. 21), all of which ), all of which pictured the time when that pictured the time when that

reconciliation would be reconciliation would be finally/eternally accomplished in and finally/eternally accomplished in and

through Jesus—the verythrough Jesus—the very OneOne they werethey were inin danger of abandoning.danger of abandoning.

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Since therefore Since therefore it remains that it remains that some must some must enter it, and enter it, and those to whom those to whom it was first it was first preached did preached did not enter be-not enter be-cause of cause of disobedi-ence…disobedi-ence…

HebrewHebrews s 4:6 4:6

Page 28: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

Since therefore Since therefore it remains that it remains that some must some must enter itenter it, and , and those to whom those to whom it was first it was first preached did preached did not enter be-not enter be-cause of cause of disobedi-ence…disobedi-ence…

II thinkthink it’sit’s important to note important to note for clarity’s sake for clarity’s sake that the thot of that the thot of this verse this verse concludes in concludes in verse 9: : there re-mains a rest for the people of God; i.e., ; i.e., Since Since there are even there are even nownow [AD 63][AD 63] thosethose whowho will enter will enter God’s rest, the God’s rest, the promise of it still promise of it still remains for the remains for the people of Godpeople of God..

See, the thing is… See, the thing is…

II thinkthink it’sit’s important to note important to note for clarity’s sake for clarity’s sake that the thot of that the thot of this verse this verse concludes in concludes in verse 9: : there re-mains a rest for the people of God; i.e., ; i.e., Since Since there are even there are even nownow [AD 63][AD 63] thosethose whowho will enter will enter God’s rest, the God’s rest, the promise of it still promise of it still remains for the remains for the people of Godpeople of God..

See, the thing is… See, the thing is…

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Since therefore Since therefore it remains that it remains that some must some must enter itenter it, and , and those to whom those to whom it was first it was first preached did preached did not enter be-not enter be-cause of cause of disobedi-ence…disobedi-ence…

The rest that The rest that Gen. 2 and and Exo. 16 pictured was pictured was never fulfilled in never fulfilled in the moonlight or the moonlight or starlight ages; starlight ages; but it would be but it would be (and was) fulfilled (and was) fulfilled in the sun-light in the sun-light age of Christ’s age of Christ’s kingdom on Earthkingdom on Earth—the colony of —the colony of Heav-en on Earth Heav-en on Earth ((Php. 3:20), thus ), thus the the Kingdom of Kingdom of HeavenHeaven..

The rest that The rest that Gen. 2 and and Exo. 16 pictured was pictured was never fulfilled in never fulfilled in the moonlight or the moonlight or starlight ages; starlight ages; but it would be but it would be (and was) fulfilled (and was) fulfilled in the sun-light in the sun-light age of Christ’s age of Christ’s kingdom on Earthkingdom on Earth—the colony of —the colony of Heav-en on Earth Heav-en on Earth ((Php. 3:20), thus ), thus the the Kingdom of Kingdom of HeavenHeaven..

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Again He desig- Again He desig- natesnates aa certaincertain

day,day, saying in saying in David, “Today,” David, “Today,” after such a after such a long time, long time, as it as it has been said,has been said, “Today, if you “Today, if you will hear His will hear His voice, do not voice, do not harden your harden your hearts.”hearts.”

HebrewHebrews s 4:7 4:7

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AgainAgain He desig- He desig- natesnates aa certaincertain

day,day, saying in saying in David, “Today,” David, “Today,” after such a after such a long time, long time, as it as it has been said,has been said, “Today, if you “Today, if you will hear His will hear His voice, do not voice, do not harden your harden your hearts.”hearts.”

By this word Paul By this word Paul was merely was merely adding another adding another parentheti-cal parentheti-cal detail, which, in detail, which, in thisthis case,case, refutesrefutes thethe objection objection someone may someone may pose that the pose that the second second generation during generation during Joshua’s time Joshua’s time diddid enter the rest, enter the rest, fulfilling the fulfilling the promise. promise.

By this word Paul By this word Paul was merely was merely adding another adding another parentheti-cal parentheti-cal detail, which, in detail, which, in thisthis case,case, refutesrefutes thethe objection objection someone may someone may pose that the pose that the second second generation during generation during Joshua’s time Joshua’s time diddid enter the rest, enter the rest, fulfilling the fulfilling the promise. promise.

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Again Again He desig- He desig- natesnates aa certaincertain

dayday,, saying in saying in David, “Today,” David, “Today,” after such after such a a long timelong time, , as it as it has been said,has been said, “Today, if you “Today, if you will hear His will hear His voice, do not voice, do not harden your harden your hearts.”hearts.”

TheThe firstfirst clauseclause inin

redred means that means that God, through God, through David, 500 years David, 500 years after Joshua (after Joshua (a long time), still ), still had a specific rest had a specific rest in mind that in mind that obviously wasn’t obviously wasn’t fulfulfilled by Joshua.filled by Joshua. I.e.,I.e., eveneven tho tho David conquered David conquered what Joshua what Joshua didn’t, his land didn’t, his land stillstill wasn’t the wasn’t the ultimate pro-mised ultimate pro-mised land. So…land. So…

TheThe firstfirst clauseclause inin

redred means that means that God, through God, through David, 500 years David, 500 years after Joshua (after Joshua (a long time), still ), still had a specific rest had a specific rest in mind that in mind that obviously wasn’t obviously wasn’t fulfulfilled by Joshua.filled by Joshua. I.e.,I.e., eveneven tho tho David conquered David conquered what Joshua what Joshua didn’t, his land didn’t, his land stillstill wasn’t the wasn’t the ultimate pro-mised ultimate pro-mised land. So…land. So…

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For if Joshua For if Joshua had given them had given them rest, then He rest, then He would not would not afterward have afterward have spoken of spoken of another day.another day.

HebrewHebrews s 4:8 4:8

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For if Joshua For if Joshua had given them had given them rest, then He rest, then He would not would not afterward have afterward have spoken of spoken of another day.another day.

The obvious point The obvious point here is that if the here is that if the promised rest was promised rest was fulfilled by the se-fulfilled by the se-cond generation cond generation of of those who left those who left Egypt,Egypt, then why then why did God promise did God promise it again 500 years it again 500 years later? I.e., the later? I.e., the rest wasn’t rest wasn’t limited to the day limited to the day of Moses and/or of Moses and/or Joshua—that rest Joshua—that rest was merely a was merely a type. So… type. So…

The obvious point The obvious point here is that if the here is that if the promised rest was promised rest was fulfilled by the se-fulfilled by the se-cond generation cond generation of of those who left those who left Egypt,Egypt, then why then why did God promise did God promise it again 500 years it again 500 years later? I.e., the later? I.e., the rest wasn’t rest wasn’t limited to the day limited to the day of Moses and/or of Moses and/or Joshua—that rest Joshua—that rest was merely a was merely a type. So… type. So…

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Jesus isn’t only greater than Moses Jesus isn’t only greater than Moses who led the people who led the people toto the Canaan- the Canaan-

rest, but He’s also greater than rest, but He’s also greater than Joshua who took them Joshua who took them intointo it, for the it, for the

rest that Jesus (rest that Jesus (thetheNT Yeshua, by the wayNT Yeshua, by the way) provides is the ) provides is the

real thing, a far greater rest than real thing, a far greater rest than that of Josh-ua, a rest that isn’t just that of Josh-ua, a rest that isn’t just

found in Heaven itself, but also in found in Heaven itself, but also in Heaven’sHeaven’s colony—the church on colony—the church on

Earth, for Jesus Himself said, Earth, for Jesus Himself said, Come to Me all you who labor and are

heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn

from Me … and you will find rest for your souls ( (Mat. 11:28-29). Notice a ). Notice a

parallel: parallel:

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Heb. 11:9-16 parallel parallel 4:1-11: : By faith Ab-raham sojourned in the land of

promise as in a foreign country … for he waited for the city … whose

builder and maker is God…. These [many generations of Abe’s de-scendants] all died in faith, not having re-ceived the promises, but having seen them

afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the

earth…. But nownow they desire a better, that is, a heavenly coun-try. Therefore God is not ashamed to be

called their God, for He has prepared a city for them (cf. Luke 13:28-30)..

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There remains There remains therefore a rest therefore a rest for the people for the people of God.of God.

HebrewHebrews s 4:9 4:9

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There remains There remains therefore a therefore a restrest for the people for the people of God.of God.

It’s interesting It’s interesting that Paul chose a that Paul chose a differ-ent Greek differ-ent Greek word for word for rest here; in this verse here; in this verse ((and in this one and in this one onlyonly) he chose to ) he chose to employ the word employ the word for for sabbath-restsabbath-rest, , a term signifying a term signifying the ideal rest that the ideal rest that was once was once possessed in the possessed in the be-ginning and be-ginning and would be would be possessed again possessed again through the through the Christ.Christ.

It’s interesting It’s interesting that Paul chose a that Paul chose a differ-ent Greek differ-ent Greek word for word for rest here; in this verse here; in this verse ((and in this one and in this one onlyonly) he chose to ) he chose to employ the word employ the word for for sabbath-restsabbath-rest, , a term signifying a term signifying the ideal rest that the ideal rest that was once was once possessed in the possessed in the be-ginning and be-ginning and would be would be possessed again possessed again through the through the Christ.Christ.

FurthermoreFurthermore……

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There remains There remains therefore a therefore a restrest for the people for the people of God.of God.

This word here This word here liter-ally means liter-ally means a a keep-ing sabbathkeep-ing sabbath, , indicat-ing the indicat-ing the true, spiritu-al, true, spiritu-al, eternal, & heav-eternal, & heav-enly rest made enly rest made pos-sible by the pos-sible by the restora-tion of all restora-tion of all things. things. Notice… Notice…

This word here This word here liter-ally means liter-ally means a a keep-ing sabbathkeep-ing sabbath, , indicat-ing the indicat-ing the true, spiritu-al, true, spiritu-al, eternal, & heav-eternal, & heav-enly rest made enly rest made pos-sible by the pos-sible by the restora-tion of all restora-tion of all things. things. Notice… Notice…

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In In Acts 3:19-21 Peter was quoted Peter was quoted by Luke as saying, by Luke as saying, Repent … and be con-verted that your sins may

be blotted out, so that the times of refreshing may come from the

presence of the Lord, and that He

may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom Heaven must receive until the

times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets

since the world began((cf. cf. Heb. 9:6-15, esp. , esp. vv. 9-10).).

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For he who has For he who has entered His rest entered His rest has himself also has himself also ceased from his ceased from his works as God works as God did from His.did from His.

HebrewHebrews s 4:10 4:10

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For he who has For he who has entered His rest entered His rest has himself also has himself also ceased from his ceased from his works as God works as God did from His.did from His.

This sentence This sentence would probably would probably make more sensemake more sense toto usus ifif itit read, read, For he who has For he who has en-tered God’s en-tered God’s rest has ceased rest has ceased from his works as from his works as God did from HisGod did from His..

This sentence This sentence would probably would probably make more sensemake more sense toto usus ifif itit read, read, For he who has For he who has en-tered God’s en-tered God’s rest has ceased rest has ceased from his works as from his works as God did from HisGod did from His..

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For he who has For he who has entered His rest entered His rest has himself also has himself also ceased from his ceased from his works as God works as God did from His.did from His.

This verse is just This verse is just an an illustration/proverillustration/proverb; i.e., I don’t b; i.e., I don’t believebelieve itit waswas meant tomeant to implyimply thatthat anyone had anyone had by AD 63 entered by AD 63 entered into this into this rest—just rest—just that oncethat once someone did, he someone did, he would at that would at that time experience time experience the the restrest ofof salvationsalvation fromfrom works, sin (works, sin (9:39), ), & death (& death (2:14-15).).

This verse is just This verse is just an an illustration/proverillustration/proverb; i.e., I don’t b; i.e., I don’t believebelieve itit waswas meant tomeant to implyimply thatthat anyone had anyone had by AD 63 entered by AD 63 entered into this into this rest—just rest—just that oncethat once someone did, he someone did, he would at that would at that time experience time experience the the restrest ofof salvationsalvation fromfrom works, sin (works, sin (9:39), ), & death (& death (2:14-15).).

Besides, Besides, verses 3 & 11 indicate that indicate that no one had yet no one had yet entered the rest entered the rest under con-under con-sideration here.sideration here.

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For he who has For he who has entered His rest entered His rest has himself also has himself also ceased from his ceased from his works as God works as God did from His.did from His.

John’s thought in John’s thought in Rev. 14:13 comes comes to mind here: to mind here: Blessed are those Blessed are those who die in the who die in the Lord from now Lord from now on,on, forfor theythey restrest fromfrom their labors, & their labors, & their works follow their works follow themthem..

John’s thought in John’s thought in Rev. 14:13 comes comes to mind here: to mind here: Blessed are those Blessed are those who die in the who die in the Lord from now Lord from now on,on, forfor theythey restrest fromfrom their labors, & their labors, & their works follow their works follow themthem..

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Let us therefore Let us therefore be diligent to be diligent to en-ter that rest, en-ter that rest, lest anyone fall lest anyone fall after the same after the same example of example of disobedience.disobedience.

HebrewHebrews s 4:11 4:11

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Let us therefore Let us therefore be be diligentdiligent to to en-ter that rest, en-ter that rest, lest anyone fall lest anyone fall after the same after the same example of example of disobedience.disobedience.

This word means This word means to do your bestto do your best, , to give it your allto give it your all ((the oppo-sitethe oppo-site ofof

drifting inin 2:1ff); it); it speaksspeaks ofof intensity of intensity of purpose followed purpose followed by intensity of by intensity of effort toward the effort toward the attain- attain- mentment ofof

thatthat purposepurpose,, for for rest belongs only rest belongs only to those who have to those who have been busy. So… been busy. So…

This word means This word means to do your bestto do your best, , to give it your allto give it your all ((the oppo-sitethe oppo-site ofof

drifting inin 2:1ff); it); it speaksspeaks ofof intensity of intensity of purpose followed purpose followed by intensity of by intensity of effort toward the effort toward the attain- attain- mentment ofof

thatthat purposepurpose,, for for rest belongs only rest belongs only to those who have to those who have been busy. So… been busy. So…

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Let us therefore Let us therefore be diligent to be diligent to en-ter that rest, en-ter that rest, lest anyone fall lest anyone fall after the same after the same example of example of disobedience.disobedience.

PaulPaul waswas tellingtelling

themthem that that since since there’s a rest there’s a rest that’s worth all that’s worth all your effort, & your effort, & since so many since so many have failed in have failed in reaching God’s reaching God’s restrest byby theirtheir

unbelief,unbelief, and and since there’s so since there’s so much danger that much danger that you may fail also you may fail also ((especially in this especially in this time of great trialtime of great trial), ), make every effort make every effort to reach this goalto reach this goal! ! Why? Why?

PaulPaul waswas tellingtelling

themthem that that since since there’s a rest there’s a rest that’s worth all that’s worth all your effort, & your effort, & since so many since so many have failed in have failed in reaching God’s reaching God’s restrest byby theirtheir

unbelief,unbelief, and and since there’s so since there’s so much danger that much danger that you may fail also you may fail also ((especially in this especially in this time of great trialtime of great trial), ), make every effort make every effort to reach this goalto reach this goal! ! Why? Why?

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, piercing sword, piercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrow, joints & marrow, and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

HebrewHebrews s 4:12 4:12

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is is livingliving & & powerfulpowerful and and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, piercing sword, piercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrow, joints & marrow, and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

The original term The original term for for living might might be bet-ter be bet-ter understood if understood if translated translated alivealive, , and the original and the original term for term for powerful ((where we get our where we get our word for word for ener-geticener-getic) ) might be bet-ter might be bet-ter understood if understood if translated translated activeactive..

So like God So like God Himself, Himself, His Word His Word is always alive is always alive and activeand active . .

The original term The original term for for living might might be bet-ter be bet-ter understood if understood if translated translated alivealive, , and the original and the original term for term for powerful ((where we get our where we get our word for word for ener-geticener-getic) ) might be bet-ter might be bet-ter understood if understood if translated translated activeactive..

So like God So like God Himself, Himself, His Word His Word is always alive is always alive and activeand active . .

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any any two-edged two-edged sword,sword, piercingpiercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrow, joints & marrow, and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

Although it Although it doesn’t come doesn’t come right out and right out and describe God’s describe God’s Word as a sword Word as a sword here as it does in here as it does in other places, I other places, I think it think it isis implied implied by the word by the word piercing..

Although it Although it doesn’t come doesn’t come right out and right out and describe God’s describe God’s Word as a sword Word as a sword here as it does in here as it does in other places, I other places, I think it think it isis implied implied by the word by the word piercing..

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Since God’s Word as a sword Since God’s Word as a sword denotes denotes the power of judgmentthe power of judgment ((cf. cf. Rom. 13:4), Paul was calling ), Paul was calling attention to the power of God’s attention to the power of God’s

Word to judge (Word to judge (as as verse 13 goes on goes on to speak ofto speak of). In ). In 4:2 he he toldtold themthem

that thethat the peoplepeople ofof Moses’ day Moses’ day didn’t profit from the Word they didn’t profit from the Word they heard because they disobeyed it, heard because they disobeyed it,

but theybut they stillstill had to suffer the had to suffer the conse-quences of it. However… conse-quences of it. However…

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The people Paul was writing to The people Paul was writing to here stillhere still hadhad timetime toto profitprofit fromfrom

thatthat which the Word offered in which the Word offered in the promise of rest; but, if they the promise of rest; but, if they refused to continue in the faith refused to continue in the faith they had previously con-fessed they had previously con-fessed ((3:1, cf. , cf. 3:14), they would also ), they would also

suffer the consequences found in suffer the consequences found in the Word, reminiscent of the Word, reminiscent of

Revelation 1:3 versus versus 22:18-19——they could choose to either be they could choose to either be

blessed or cursed by God’s words blessed or cursed by God’s words of exhortation.of exhortation.

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, sword, piercing piercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrowjoints & marrow, , and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

This clause would This clause would likely be better likely be better un-derstood to us un-derstood to us today if it read today if it read like this: like this: God’s God’s Word is even able Word is even able to pierce the soul to pierce the soul and spirit, right and spirit, right down to its joints down to its joints and marrowand marrow. . (One (One can see this in an in-can see this in an in-depth study that we depth study that we don’t have time for don’t have time for here.)here.) So… So…

This clause would This clause would likely be better likely be better un-derstood to us un-derstood to us today if it read today if it read like this: like this: God’s God’s Word is even able Word is even able to pierce the soul to pierce the soul and spirit, right and spirit, right down to its joints down to its joints and marrowand marrow. . (One (One can see this in an in-can see this in an in-depth study that we depth study that we don’t have time for don’t have time for here.)here.) So… So…

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, piercing sword, piercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of& spirit and of joints & marrowjoints & marrow, , and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

This phrase This phrase appears to be a appears to be a way of pic-turing way of pic-turing for humans the for humans the idea that God’s idea that God’s Word is so Word is so powerful and powerful and sharp that He can sharp that He can use it to cut down use it to cut down into the deep-est into the deep-est nooks and cran-nooks and cran-nies of our beingsnies of our beings—into the very —into the very depths of our depths of our souls.souls.

This phrase This phrase appears to be a appears to be a way of pic-turing way of pic-turing for humans the for humans the idea that God’s idea that God’s Word is so Word is so powerful and powerful and sharp that He can sharp that He can use it to cut down use it to cut down into the deep-est into the deep-est nooks and cran-nooks and cran-nies of our beingsnies of our beings—into the very —into the very depths of our depths of our souls.souls.

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, sword, piercingpiercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of& spirit and of joints & marrow, joints & marrow, and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

Since this word is Since this word is what Greek what Greek scholars call scholars call a a genitive of de-genitive of de-scriptionscription, and , and since Paul didn’t since Paul didn’t use the word use the word fromfrom in the next in the next clause, then I clause, then I think we need to think we need to considerconsider alteringaltering our traditional our traditional interpre-tation a interpre-tation a little. I.e…. little. I.e….

Since this word is Since this word is what Greek what Greek scholars call scholars call a a genitive of de-genitive of de-scriptionscription, and , and since Paul didn’t since Paul didn’t use the word use the word fromfrom in the next in the next clause, then I clause, then I think we need to think we need to considerconsider alteringaltering our traditional our traditional interpre-tation a interpre-tation a little. I.e…. little. I.e….

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, sword, piercingpiercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrowjoints & marrow, , and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

Paul wasn’t Paul wasn’t saying that God’s saying that God’s Word divides one Word divides one thing thing fromfrom another; in fact, another; in fact, this clause isn’t this clause isn’t to be taken to be taken literally at all: it literally at all: it was merely a was merely a poetic way of say-poetic way of say-ing ing No one can No one can es-cape being es-cape being known & judgedknown & judged ((a thot begun in a thot begun in 2:1-3 & here carried thru & here carried thru the next versethe next verse).).

Paul wasn’t Paul wasn’t saying that God’s saying that God’s Word divides one Word divides one thing thing fromfrom another; in fact, another; in fact, this clause isn’t this clause isn’t to be taken to be taken literally at all: it literally at all: it was merely a was merely a poetic way of say-poetic way of say-ing ing No one can No one can es-cape being es-cape being known & judgedknown & judged ((a thot begun in a thot begun in 2:1-3 & here carried thru & here carried thru the next versethe next verse).).

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For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, piercing sword, piercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrow, joints & marrow, and is a and is a discernerdiscerner of the of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heart.heart.

The original term The original term for for discerner comes from a comes from a Greek term which Greek term which carries with it the carries with it the idea of idea of siftingsifting; so ; so the point is that the point is that God’s Word is God’s Word is able to separate able to separate the good from the the good from the bad in both bad in both individuals and individuals and groupsgroups..

The original term The original term for for discerner comes from a comes from a Greek term which Greek term which carries with it the carries with it the idea of idea of siftingsifting; so ; so the point is that the point is that God’s Word is God’s Word is able to separate able to separate the good from the the good from the bad in both bad in both individuals and individuals and groupsgroups..

Page 58: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

For God’s Word For God’s Word is living & is living & powerful and powerful and sharper than sharper than any two-edged any two-edged sword, piercing sword, piercing even to the even to the divid-ing of soul divid-ing of soul & spirit and of & spirit and of joints & marrow, joints & marrow, and is a and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts & thoughts & intentsintents of the of the heartheart..

The original terms The original terms for for thoughts and in-tents refer,refer, II believebelieve, to the , to the desires and plansdesires and plans that are in our that are in our hearts.hearts.

The original terms The original terms for for thoughts and in-tents refer,refer, II believebelieve, to the , to the desires and plansdesires and plans that are in our that are in our hearts.hearts.

Page 59: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are naked and are naked and open to the open to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must give account.give account.

HebrewHebrews s 4:13 4:13 The third and last The third and last reason Paul gave reason Paul gave for for being sure being sure they werethey were diligent diligent to enter God’s to enter God’s rest is in this rest is in this verse: verse:

The third and last The third and last reason Paul gave reason Paul gave for for being sure being sure they werethey were diligent diligent to enter God’s to enter God’s rest is in this rest is in this verse: verse:

Page 60: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from from HisHis sight, sight,but all things but all things are naked and are naked and open to the open to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must give account.give account.

Since judgment Since judgment was given to was given to Jesus (Jesus (John 5:22), ), and since He and since He doesn’t need to doesn’t need to be told what’s in be told what’s in us (us (John 2:25), & ), & since since verse 14 transitions into transitions into Jesus, then I Jesus, then I believe the believe the pronoun pronoun His here here refers to Jesus, refers to Jesus, not to His Father.not to His Father.

Since judgment Since judgment was given to was given to Jesus (Jesus (John 5:22), ), and since He and since He doesn’t need to doesn’t need to be told what’s in be told what’s in us (us (John 2:25), & ), & since since verse 14 transitions into transitions into Jesus, then I Jesus, then I believe the believe the pronoun pronoun His here here refers to Jesus, refers to Jesus, not to His Father.not to His Father.

Page 61: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are are naked and naked and openopen to the to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must give account.give account.

Keeping in mind Keeping in mind thatthat this was a this was a Jew writ- Jew writ- ing to ing to Jews, it makesJews, it makes perfect sense that perfect sense that these terms or these terms or this phrase would this phrase would bring animal bring animal sacrifices to mind. sacrifices to mind. Note: Note:

Keeping in mind Keeping in mind thatthat this was a this was a Jew writ- Jew writ- ing to ing to Jews, it makesJews, it makes perfect sense that perfect sense that these terms or these terms or this phrase would this phrase would bring animal bring animal sacrifices to mind. sacrifices to mind. Note: Note:

Page 62: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are are naked and naked and openopen to the to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must give account.give account.

The word The word naked re-calls how the re-calls how the sacri-ficial animal sacri-ficial animal was stripped of was stripped of its skin, and the its skin, and the word word open recalls recalls how its chest was how its chest was ripped open, its ripped open, its insides removed, insides removed, & its backbone & its backbone sliced length-sliced length-wisewise

downdown thethe centercenter ((all corres-ponding all corres-ponding to the to the piercing of of v. 12).).

The word The word naked re-calls how the re-calls how the sacri-ficial animal sacri-ficial animal was stripped of was stripped of its skin, and the its skin, and the word word open recalls recalls how its chest was how its chest was ripped open, its ripped open, its insides removed, insides removed, & its backbone & its backbone sliced length-sliced length-wisewise

downdown thethe centercenter ((all corres-ponding all corres-ponding to the to the piercing of of v. 12).).

Page 63: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are are naked and naked and openopen to the to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must give account.give account.

After all that, After all that, they were divided they were divided into quartersinto quarters soso thatthat out-wardly out-wardly and inwardly they and inwardly they were fully ex-were fully ex-posed to the posed to the Priest’s view for Priest’s view for examina-tion (examina-tion (Lev. 1:5-6). So ). So the the point here seemspoint here seems to have been to have been that…that…

After all that, After all that, they were divided they were divided into quartersinto quarters soso thatthat out-wardly out-wardly and inwardly they and inwardly they were fully ex-were fully ex-posed to the posed to the Priest’s view for Priest’s view for examina-tion (examina-tion (Lev. 1:5-6). So ). So the the point here seemspoint here seems to have been to have been that…that…

Page 64: A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews Dont drift away! Dont neglect your salvation! Dont Depart! Dont fall away! Dont cast away your confidence!

And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are are naked and naked and openopen to the to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must give account.give account.

If there were If there were those among those among them who were them who were fence-riding, they fence-riding, they had better pick a had better pick a side and quickly—side and quickly—get in or get out—get in or get out—be hot or be cold, be hot or be cold, for if they didn’t for if they didn’t make up their make up their minds soon, the minds soon, the Lord was going to Lord was going to do it for them do it for them once and for all!once and for all!

By the way… By the way…

If there were If there were those among those among them who were them who were fence-riding, they fence-riding, they had better pick a had better pick a side and quickly—side and quickly—get in or get out—get in or get out—be hot or be cold, be hot or be cold, for if they didn’t for if they didn’t make up their make up their minds soon, the minds soon, the Lord was going to Lord was going to do it for them do it for them once and for all!once and for all!

By the way… By the way…

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And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are naked and are naked and open to the open to the eyes of eyes of Him to Him to whom we must whom we must give accountgive account..

In the next verse In the next verse the high priest the high priest ((the one who did the the one who did the sacri-ficingsacri-ficing) is ) is brought up in the brought up in the person of Jesus—person of Jesus—our last and once-our last and once-for-all-time High for-all-time High Priest who al-Priest who al-lowed Himself to lowed Himself to be thrust through be thrust through by a Roman sword by a Roman sword ((John 19:32ff), ), making Him making Him worthy of all worthy of all auth-ority (auth-ority (Mat. 28:18).).

In the next verse In the next verse the high priest the high priest ((the one who did the the one who did the sacri-ficingsacri-ficing) is ) is brought up in the brought up in the person of Jesus—person of Jesus—our last and once-our last and once-for-all-time High for-all-time High Priest who al-Priest who al-lowed Himself to lowed Himself to be thrust through be thrust through by a Roman sword by a Roman sword ((John 19:32ff), ), making Him making Him worthy of all worthy of all auth-ority (auth-ority (Mat. 28:18).).

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And there is no And there is no creature hidden creature hidden from His sight,from His sight,but all things but all things are naked and are naked and open to the open to the eyes of Him to eyes of Him to whom we must whom we must givegive account account..

TheThe originaloriginal wordword

for for account refers refers to to a reckoninga reckoning; ; there wasthere was aa day of day of reck-oning in the reck-oning in the near future, so near future, so Paul warned them Paul warned them that if they didn’t that if they didn’t want to be part of want to be part of those who Jesus those who Jesus would reject and would reject and destroy, then destroy, then they had better they had better stop drifting stop drifting away!away!

TheThe originaloriginal wordword

for for account refers refers to to a reckoninga reckoning; ; there wasthere was aa day of day of reck-oning in the reck-oning in the near future, so near future, so Paul warned them Paul warned them that if they didn’t that if they didn’t want to be part of want to be part of those who Jesus those who Jesus would reject and would reject and destroy, then destroy, then they had better they had better stop drifting stop drifting away!away!