Hebrews talks about a “rest” for God’s people.

Most of the discussion in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 is centered around Psalm 95. Psalm 95 itself does not say who wrote it, either in English, or in the Hebrew text. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament it says it is a “Praise ode of David.” Is that an authentic original reading? The author of Hebrews says in Heb 3:7 that this is what the Holy Spirit says. Then in Heb 4:8 he says that David wrote it and bases part of his conclusion on this. The author of Psalm 95 pleads with us.

“7 … “Today if you will hear his voice,
8 Don’t harden your hearts, as in the provocation,
Like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,
Heb 3:7-8 WEB

He tells how the ancestors of the Jews tried God’s patience in the wilderness. The Holy Spirit says in verse 10, ‘They always err in heart, But they didn’t know my ways;’ The author of Hebrews then says that we should be beware lest there be in any of us there be an evil heart of unbelief, unbelief in what God says, and fall away from the living God. He goes on to say we should encourage each other every day as long as it is called “today,” “ lest any of us be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Heb 3:31 KJV.

We are partakers of Christ if we hold fast till the end.

For who was it who provoked God in the desert after they had heard? He says it was all of those who came out of Egypt with Moses. And who was it that God was displeased for forty years? It was all of those Israelites who died in the desert of Sinai. And to whom did He sware that they would never enter His rest? Well, of course it was those who were disobedient to God. Then the Hebrews author draws a conclusion.

“We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.”
Heb 3:19 WEB

We need to be afraid lest we come up short!

The Hebrews author says in Hebrews 4 that we have had the good news preached to us just as ancient Israel had also. There was something lacking in ancient Israel, even as it is sometimes with us: the hearing was not mixed with faith in what was said, Heb 4:2.

Those who believe are able to enter God’s rest.

But it was said of ancient Israel,

“… “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” ”
Heb 4:3WEB

Not enter God’s rest? But His works were finished (this is say, came into being) from the foundation of the world. For indeed it says,

“2 On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which he had created and made.” Gen 2:1-2 WEB

KJV is the King James Version of 1611

WEB is the World English Bible, is a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901