The Strand Study Bible

HEBREWS HEBREWS “demons” don’t have to. They don’t have to be at war with the Devil all the time. The Bible says that if we’re willing to battle for God, we can put the Devil on the run (Jms 4:7). Reason being: The spiritual battle we face was already won at the cross (Rom 8:37 and I Cor 15:57 ). To get a break from spiritual attacks all we have to do is enter the Land of Total Surrender and do God’s bidding; attack the devil with the gospel ( Mt 16:18e and Eph 6:11,15) and plead the blood (Heb 2:14, I Jn 3:8 and Jude 9). Question: Do you need a break from the temporal drama that consumes your life and from the spiritual warfare that surrounds you? Then get in the game –learn to be a witness for CHRIST and start fighting God’s battles instead of your own. 4:2 Moses knew all about CHRIST (Heb 11:24-26 and Acts 26:22-23) and the Gospel ( as well as unto them - Gal 3:6-8, Jn 8:56, Rom 10:14-18 and Acts 3:20-24 & 10:39-43). Proof, once again, that the people in the Old Testament were saved in the same manor as those in the New Testament –by grace! 4:3 Meaning, those of us who have trusted in Jesus have a permanent rest awaiting us in Heaven ( Heb 4:9 ). However, if we fail to labor and to finish our race (vs 11), like the Israelites, we will not enjoy that rest ( II Cor 5:10,11 ). 4:8a This name ( Jesus ) is the Greek word ,KσοX9 ( Iesous ), which is equivalent to the Hebrew name for Joshua ( Acts 7:45 ). Whereas the Greek word ,KσοX9 can be translated either Jesus ( Mt 1:21 ) or Joshua (depending upon the context), the context here, as well as in Acts 7:45 , unequivocally calls for the name Joshua to be used, not Jesus . Kenneth S. Wuest in Philippians through the Revelation notes: The Hebrew Jehoshua comes into our language as either Joshua or Jesus, depending upon the context. The A.V. of 4:8, where the name “Jesus” is used, leads the English reader astray. It was Joshua who did not give Israel a spiritual rest in Canaan, only a temporal physical rest. It was left for Jesus to do that. 3 NOTE – This is just one of several instances in the Bible where the ‘historical background’ of the passage comes to the aid of the ‘interpretation’ of the passage ( I Cor 2:13 – point #4). 4:8b Joshua reminded the people of God that the “rest” God promised them if they entered Canaan to do battle for Him pointed to yet another rest ( another day ); a future rest, found only on the other side of this life (vs 9). 4:9 This word ( rest ) is the Greek word σDEEDτLσPο9 ( sabbatismos ), which suggests a permanent (eternal) rest like God’s own rest following creation (Gen 2:1-3). Those who have trusted in Jesus (due to His own accomplishment in providing us salvation - vs 10), have a permanent rest awaiting them in Heaven. However, in order to enjoy that rest , believers are to labor for Jesus (vs 11) while they are still here on earth (Rev 14:12-13). 4:10 a The “ HE ” here is referring to CHRIST , who finished His work of redemption. Like the FATHER (Gen 1:28-2:3), CHRIST has entered into His own rest. 4:10 b This “ rest ” here deals with the Sabbath ( as God did from his ), that one-day a week wherein men were admonished to “rest” in the accomplishments of God ( Gen 2:2 ), which are eternal: the earth is never going to cease to exist ( II Pet 3:10 , Rev 20:11b and Isa 65:17 ), the nation of Israel is never going to cease to exist (Isa 56:1-5 & 61:8 and Jere 32:37-41), and salvation is never going to cease to exist ( Jn 10:28-29 and Isa 55:3 ). In essence, the six days of creation ( Gen 1:3a , 6a , 12,14a , 20,24a ) and the formation of the nation of Israel (Rom 9) all pointed to CHRIST and the salvation of mankind. For Israel, the Sabbath commemorated God’s creation rest (Exo 20:8-11) as well as their deliverance from Egypt (Deut 5:12-15). However, for the Christian, the Sabbath illustrates the “ rest ” into which all believers enter when they trust Jesus to save them ( There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works ). John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck in The Bible Knowledge Commentary note: The rest–the messianic partnership–did indeed lie ahead: There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God . But it must be said clearly that entering into God’s rest means resting from one’s own work just as God did from His . The statement is both a reassurance and an admonition. On the one hand it follows up the writer’s conclusion (Heb. 4:9) that there is such a rest to be entered. But on the other hand, it reminds the readers that this is only done by their getting to the end of their task just as did God in His creative activity. 4 Question: As a believer, are you finishing what you started the day you got saved? Are you finishing your race (I Cor 9:24-27), using your God-given gifts ( I Cor 12:1 ), and do you have the right motive for why you do what you do for God ( II Cor 5:10-11 )? NOTE – According to Mark 2:23-28, Jesus declared Himself to be Lord of the Sabbath, and if Lord, then able to change the day of its keeping from the last day of the week (Saturday) to the first day of the week (Sunday, called the Lord’s Day – Rev 1:10). Seeing the Sabbath was made for man (that is, for his benefit - Mk 2:27), Jesus changed its celebration to commemorate the satisfactory completion of a job well done when He died, was buried, and rose again for the sins of mankind. 2061

1 De Haan II, M.R. Knowing God Through Hebrews , Grand Rapids, MI, RBC Ministries, 2005. Print . 2 The Analytical Greek Lexicon. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1977. Print . 3 Wuest, Kenneth S. Philippians through the Revelation , Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans Pub., 1959. Print. 4 John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary , USA, Scripture Press Pub., 1983. Print.