Hebrews Study
Chapter 4
Jinu Ninan
Divine Rest through Faith

Hebrews 4:1
Therefore, let us be diligent to enter the rest that God promises, so that none of you may miss it.

After explaining in the previous chapter that the Israelites did not enter the promised rest in Canaan because of unbelief and disobedience, the author reminds us here that the promise of entering God’s rest still stands.

This means the true rest promised by God is not merely the earthly rest in Canaan, but the rest experienced in oneness with the Lord—a rest that comes from dwelling eternally with Him. Canaan was only a shadow of this true rest.

However, the author issues a warning: we must be vigilant, so that we do not miss this promised rest. Although our salvation is secure, there is still the possibility of losing the experience of this divine rest through unbelief. A healthy fear should always remain. George Müller put it well: “Where faith begins, anxiety ends; where anxiety begins, faith ends.”

Hebrews 4:2
For indeed, we share in the good news just as they did, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not combined with faith in those who heard it.

The gospel, or good news, is the message that we can enter God’s rest. Merely hearing it is not enough; we must receive it with faith. Romans explains that faith comes through hearing the Word of God. If we fail to respond in faith, the message will not benefit us.

Thus, it is our responsibility to respond to God’s Word in faith. The author emphasizes that entry into God’s rest comes by faith, and it can be forfeited through unbelief.

Hebrews 4:3
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said: “As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest,” though His works were completed from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:4
For He has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.”

Here, the author explains what kind of rest he is referring to: the rest of the seventh day. What makes the seventh day special is that God completed all His works and rested. It was also the first day after He created man, when man dwelled in oneness with God and experienced true divine rest—the original Sabbath.

When man sinned, he lost fellowship with God and access to divine rest. Yet through the cross of Jesus Christ, God opened a living way for humanity to return to divine fellowship and rest.

Hebrews 4:5
“They shall not enter My rest” is reiterated to emphasize that even though opportunities remained, disobedience prevented entry.

Hebrews 4:6–8
Yet, as previously mentioned, long after, through David, God declares another day, saying: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” If Joshua had brought them into rest in Canaan, there would have been no need to speak of another day. This points to a future “Today”—the ultimate day of rest.

Hebrews 4:9
So, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

True Sabbath rest is not merely ceasing work for a day, but participating in divine fellowship and rest. When man fell into sin, he lost this. Later, when the law was given, observing Sabbath was only a shadow. The real Sabbath experience is available through Christ, and it is entered by faith.

Hebrews 4:10
For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their own works, just as God did from His.

Just as Adam rested in fellowship with God on the seventh day, anyone entering divine fellowship rests from their own efforts. All true works originate from this fellowship. Many today work tirelessly for God like Martha, but without resting in Him, their efforts remain fruitless. God desires that His children function as members of one body, united with Christ, resting in Him, and acting according to His guidance.

Mary exemplifies this: she rested in fellowship with the Lord, listened, and acted accordingly, and the Lord commended her. Christ Himself lived this way, always resting in fellowship with the Father and only doing what He heard from Him (John 5:30; 8:28). Through Christ, believers today can experience the same fellowship and rest by faith, which alone produces truly fruitful works.

Hebrews 4:11
Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one may fall into the same disobedience as the Israelites.

Once again, the example of Israel serves as a warning: we must be eager to enter God’s rest, so that we do not fall into disobedience.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

For true divine works to occur, we must listen properly to God as Mary did. God’s Word is living, powerful, and sharper than any sword, discerning thoughts, intentions, and motives, separating human reasoning from God’s will. In prophetic ministry as well, the Word functions in the same way (1 Corinthians 14:25).

Hebrews 4:13
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Nothing is hidden from God or His Word. All is visible to Him, and we will give account to Him—not to humans, who can only see outward actions, but to the God who knows hearts, thoughts, and intentions.

From the next verse onward, through Chapter 5, the author moves into the central theme of Hebrews: the high priesthood of Jesus Christ.