Hebrews, Day 2
A Call to Perseverance (Hebrews 3 – 4)
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it” (Hebrews 4:1)
The letter of Hebrews is a call to perseverance. The author’s target audience was struggling: Hellenistic Jews who were being overwhelmed with oppression for their faith. They were about to abandon their newfound faith in Jesus and return to Judaism because of the persecution they were enduring. The author is very clear in his purpose in the text: “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation . . .” (13:22a). The Greek word for “exhortation” used here, parakaleó, is defined as “direct discourse with encouragement.” The structure of the letter is very unique. The sections alternate back and forth from exposition to exhortation. Another interesting characteristic of the letter is that the Psalms are primarily used throughout the text to provide the primary evidence of the supremacy of Christ.1
In the second section of Hebrews (3:1 – 5:10), the writer focuses on the High Priestly character of Jesus. The text can be broken down into four sections: 1) the faithfulness of the Son (3:1 – 5:10); 2) the danger of disbelief (3:7 – 19); 3) the possibility of rest for God’s people (4:1 – 14); and 4) the compassion of the Son (4:15 – 5:10).2
Throughout both chapters, Psalm 95 is used to draw the reader back to the argument for the people of God to resist falling away and enter into God’s rest. The Psalm looks back on two moments when the people of Israel hardened their hearts in rebellion. These acts of rebellion led to 40 years in the wilderness for their forefathers. The writer is telling them that if they abandon their faith, a spiritual wilderness awaits. The writer of Hebrews’ challenge is for them to exhort each other to resist the deceitfulness of sin that hardened the hearts of their forefathers.
In Chapter 4, the writer encourages them to enter God’s rest and presents a picture of the rest promised to the people of God. He directs the people of God to enter into the rest that only God provides through His Son, the Word-Became-Flesh. He finishes the third part of this section by proclaiming Jesus as the great high priest and challenging the believers to “hold fast” to their confession.
In the final part of Hebrews 4, there are three exhortations for us today: 1) Strive to enter God’s rest (4:11); 2) Hold fast our confession (4:14); and 3) Confidently draw near to the throne of grace (4:16). The writer exhorts them to these things so that they may not fall, losing focus or confidence in their relationship with God. This leads to three questions for us today: 1) Are you striving to enter God’s rest through pursuing holiness and resisting a hardened heart? 2) Are you standing firm in your beliefs in the midst of the storm? 3) Are you confident as you approach God at the throne of grace, knowing that you will receive mercy and grace in your time of need?
As we continue through this week, take time to meditate on these three questions, preparing your heart for the weekend ahead, allowing Jesus, our great high priest, to work on your heart and exhort you in areas of weakness (Hebrews 4:14 – 16). Keep seeking God’s wisdom and discernment at the throne of grace (Proverbs 3:5 – 6). Keep walking with confidence as a redeemed son or daughter of the king (I John 3:1).
Pastor Chuck
1 Robert L. Saucy, The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism, p. 56. (Found in Tom Constable’s Notes on Hebrews, https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/hebrews.pdf) Using material not from the prophets but primarily from the Psalms, with other materials added to elaborate the argument, the writer’s goal was to establish the superiority of the Gospel in contrast to all that went before, particularly the Levitical system. The primary evidence of the supremacy of Christianity is presented in its finality. Coming to Christ means final access to God without any barrier.
2 Tom Constable’s Notes on Hebrews, p.9-10