Bible Commentaries

Questions For Hebrews Chapter Four

1.Who are meant by "us" in first verse r

2.Of what misfortune should we be fearful?

3.May Christians enter ancient Canaan for rest?

4.Where is our rest to be had?

5.Of what rest was Canaan an anti type ?

6.Is this why God calls it "my" rest?

7.Of what rest is Canaan in turn a type?

8.Whose rest then would that make Heaven?

ll.Are any besides God to enjoy that rest?

10.Entering that rest fulfills what in1st verse?

11.In failing how does it fulfill this vorse?

12.What opportunity have all received?

13.Why did it not profit the Israelite.?

14.Could such evil result come to us?

15.What is necessary in all dispensa !ions?

16.State the tense of "do" verse three.

17.Who is the antecedent of "they" in same verse?

18.What works is meant here?

19.How was it "spake" concerning the seventh day?

20.How was this connected with "my rest" verse five?

21.What remains to be seen because of their unbelief?

22.Do these "some" refer to Israelites?

23.Why are they left out?

24.Yet did not some Israelites enter Canaan?

25.Did this fact complete God's plan as to a rest?

26.If not what is necessarily yet to come?

27.What would this require in way of another law?

28.How would this affect J udaizers?

29.What prophet is then quoted?

30.Identify the "day" limited or appointed.

31. At what time is "today" to be fulfilled?

32.Could this exhortation have Canaan in view?

33.What would this imply was still to come?

34.Explain this in view of verse eight.

35.Did not Jesus or Joshua lead the people to Canaan?

36.Yet did he bestow on them the rest desired?

37.In view of this what remains to be expected?

38.Who are the people of God mentioned in this place?

39.Now name the3resls beginning with Genesis 2:2.

40.Which of them are types and which antitypes and how?

41.How many of them are now past?

42.Why does God speak of each of them as "my rest"?

43.After entering rest what will cease?

44.Is the rest for Christians prcsent, or future?

45.What should we do while here?

46. What sin can cause us to fan as did they?

47. State what volume will assist us in this.

48. Give the meaning of quick.

49. Is the Word of God slothful?

50.It is sharper than what?

51.Is there any difference between soul and spirit?

52.Is there much difference?

53.What does it discern or judge?

54.Compare this with Hebrews 3:18-19.)

We which have believed are the only ones who are promised the privilege of entering into rest. As I have sworn, etc, means God deals with all people on the same principle. That is that He declared to ancient Israel that their unbelief would keep them out of the promised land. Although the works were finished. A rest period implies a- preceding one of work, and that took place in the beginning of creation. Hence the rest after the labor was established, which was to serve as a type of the next rest; the one in Canaan after the wandering in the wilderness.

The certain place Where this is spoken is Genesis 2:2-3, and that is where the Lord set the Pattern of rest after labor that was to be a foreshadowing of another rest far into the future.

But the ones whom God planned to enjoy that second rest made themselves unworthy of it, hence He sware that they should not enter into it.

Remaineth that some must enter therin. God is sure to "have His own way" at last, even though certain ones may be rebellious and thus lose the benefits that He intended for them. Even if unbelief cuts off the ones first intended to have been favored, the Lord will find another outlet for the divine mercy.

Limiteth is from a Greek word that means "to determine, appoint" according to Thayer. Saying in David means it is said in the writings or David, namely, in Psalm 95:7-8. The thought of this verse is that God "determined" to have another rest and caused David to write about it, and to exhort the ones living before it not to make the mistake the former ones did.

The Greek word for Jesus is also defined "Joshua" in the lexicon, and should be so translated in this verse. Joshua led the few faithful ones across the Jordan into the Canaan rest, but God had already determined upon another rest, seeing so many of the candidates for the rest in Canaan had proved unworthy. In justice to the fathful ones at that time, they were permitted to be led by Joshua into the land of Canaan, but that circumstance was not to be regarded as the final arragement of the Lord for a better rest. That is why our verse states that Jesus (Joshua) did not give them rest, meaning he did not give them the third and final rest. This truth is further indicated by the Lord's statement afterwards that there was to be another day.

This verse is the climax of the reasoning in the preceding verses. There remaineth signifies that the final rest is still in the future, and that is the one which Christians are warned not to miss on account of unbelief. It may be well to observe that three rests have been discussed by Paul, and he shows that God speaks of them as "my rest." That is because He originated them and determined the conditions affecting them. Briefly stated, the three rests are the seventh day after the creation, the national rest in Canaan, and the rest in Heaven after the judgement.

This is a comment on the relation of the rest to work. The mere mention of rest implies a preceding period of work to be followed by the rest.

Verse9 states the grand conclusion upon the line of reasoning the apostle has been giving. The present verse states the exhortion that would logically be given upon such a conclusive background. Since the term rest implies a preceding one of labor, the apostle makes his exhortation upon that basis. Disciples who are not willing to labor for the Lord, should not expect to share in His rest. If they at last "come short of it," the cause will be attributed to their disobedience or unbeltef.

The orginal Greek word for quick is defined in the lexicon as "alive" and that for powerful is "active." The meaning of the clause is that the word of God is alive and active. When it is absorbed as spiritual food its effect should be to make one a living and active servant of the Lord. A twoedged sword is" extra sharp because such instruments are made of the best material. Likewise the word of God is composed of the best material, namely, the wisdom of divine inspiration. It would not indicate any unusual keenness for a knife to sever between things that do not resemble, or that are not closely adhering to each other. The ability of the "sword of the Spirit" to distinguish between the soul and spirit of man is mentioned as a proof of its keennesss. This indicates that there is not much difference between them, and yet that some difference exists. This subject is explained in the comments at 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Joints and marrow are other parts of the human system that pertain to the flesh, and are used figuratively for the same purpose as the preceding illustration, showing the sharpness of the divine instrument. Discerner is from KRITIKOS which means a measuring rule or standard, by which things are measured and judged. The statement means that the word of God is the standard by which all our thoughts and intents are to be regulated. It is sometimes insisted that Christians may think whatever they please as long as they keep it to themselves. This verse condems such a notion, and it is contradicted also by Philippians 4:8-9 which tells Christians the subjects on which they have a right to think.

The foregoing verse and remarks have special reference to the Word of God as an inspired volume. But if God can produce a book that has such qualities, then He certainly has a mind that is likewise able. Everything that we think (or do) is seen by the eyes of the Infinite One, because his "eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" ( Proverbs 15:3).

Jesus is a great high priest because he is the Son of God. Another item of His greatness is his entrance into the heavens or the place where God is, whereas the high priests of the Mosaic system entered into the buildings on earth, which were only the figures or types of the ones above. Paul uses this truth as a basis for our holding fast or firm to our profession of faith; not going back to Moses.

In taking on a body with the same nature as ours, Jesus was able to have the same experiences as we. Touched with the feeling means to sympathize with our infirmities. Whatever would be a temptation to us would be likewise one to Him, and he came in contact with all kinds of temptations which are on the earth, yet never yielded once to them.

Come boldly denotes a feeling of confidence that we may have on account of such a sympthetic Intercessor. The Israelites came near the tabernacle or temple, relying on their high priest to officiate on their behalf, by making intercession for them before the mercyseat in the most holy place, which was a type of the throne of grace. Accordingly we as spiritual Israel may approach by faith unto this throne where Jesus is acting as our High Priest. Our prayers through Him will reach the ears of God, calling for grace or favor to help us in the time of need while in this world of temptation.