And I will give you REST...

And I will give you REST…

This past week, I have for some reason been very tired. I think it may have to do with all the sickness in our house, the busyness at work, recovering from entertaining family the week before, and American Idol. Whatever the reason, I have been exhausted to the point of almost falling asleep every time I sit down and am still. What a perfect time then to read Hebrews 4. In this chapter of Hebrews, the author, some believe to be Paul, points out to the Jewish converts the promise of entering God’s rest. The author takes the reader all the way back to creation when he reminds us that “on the seventh day God rested from all His work (v. 4).” The author then transitions to the true meaning of rest. He lets the reader know some will enter the “Sabbath-rest” and some will not. What is required to enter the Sabbath-rest of which Paul is speaking? What does this give us rest from? What does that mean for us?
“There remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God (v. 8).” The author is pointing out a new meaning for “rest”. The Jewish converts would have been very knowledgeable of the Hebrew shabbat (e.g. Gen. 2:2; Ex.20:11; Ex.23:12) which was the Sabbath “rest” and the Hebrew nuah/menu hah (e.g. Ex. 31:14; Deut. 3:20) which referred to the “rest” that Israel, if faithful, was to experience every day in the promised land. Here in Hebrews 4, the author is pointing out the rest that comes when one turns his/her life over to Christ and accepts Him as their Savior. After conversion, believers cease from their efforts to gain salvation by their own works. Because of what Christ did on the cross, our need to work for salvation was nullified. It gives me great joy to know that the work that Christ did for me gives me eternal rest in Him. “Let us therefore, make every effort to enter the rest, so that no one will fall by following the example (Israel’s sad example in the desert) of disobedience (v. 11).”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)