Question 1

What is the “rest” God promises in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The “rest” here is more than a day off or a piece of land. The writer points back to God resting on the seventh day and also to Israel entering Canaan, then shows there is still a deeper rest that “remains” for God’s people. This rest is the peace and safety of belonging to God through faith, being freed from trying to save ourselves by our own works, and looking ahead to perfect joy with Him forever. It has a taste now in Christ and its fullness in the life to come.

Question 2

Why are believers told to “fear” coming short of God’s rest?

Accepted Answer

The call to “fear” is not about panic or doubting God’s goodness. It is a sober warning to take His promise seriously. Israel heard God’s good news but hardened their hearts and did not enter His rest because of unbelief. The writer does not want the readers to drift into the same pattern. This kind of fear is a careful watchfulness over our hearts, a refusal to be careless about faith, and a concern that no one in the community turns away from God’s promise.

Question 3

What does it mean that the word of God is living and sharper than a two edged sword?

Accepted Answer

When the passage says the word of God is living and sharper than any two edged sword, it means God’s message is not dead or empty. It has power. It cuts through all excuses and appearances, reaching into the deepest parts of who we are. It can separate what is truly spiritual from what is only outward, and it shows the real thoughts and intentions of the heart. This comforts those who trust God, but it also warns those who try to hide sin, because nothing is hidden from His sight.

Question 4

How do believers “labour” to enter into God’s rest?

Accepted Answer

At first it sounds strange to work hard in order to rest, but the idea here is to be diligent in faith, not lazy or careless. To “labour” to enter God’s rest means to keep listening to His voice today, to turn from unbelief, and to keep holding on to the hope we have in Christ. It is not working to earn salvation, but fighting against a hard heart, resisting the pull of sin, and using the means God gives, like His word and prayer, so that we do not fall into the same unbelief Israel showed.

Question 5

Who is the great high priest in this passage and what does he do for us?

Accepted Answer

The great high priest here is Jesus, the Son of God, who has passed through the heavens. Unlike the priests of Israel who served in an earthly tent and then died, Jesus lives forever and serves in God’s very presence. He represents His people before God, having offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Because He is our high priest, we are told to hold firmly to our confession of faith in Him and to come with confidence to God’s throne to receive mercy and grace when we are weak and in need.

Question 6

What does it mean that Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin?

Accepted Answer

This tells us that Jesus truly shared our human experience. He faced real testing, pressure, and hardship. He knew hunger, weakness, rejection, and the pull of temptation from outside. Yet, unlike us, He never sinned in thought, word, or deed. This means He fully understands our struggles and can feel for our weaknesses, but He is also pure and able to save. Because of this, we can come to Him honestly, knowing He will not brush off our pain, and He is able to give the help we need.

Question 7

What is the “throne of grace,” and how can we come boldly to it?

Accepted Answer

The “throne of grace” is a way of speaking about God’s presence as a place where He gives undeserved kindness instead of judgment to those who belong to Christ. Because Jesus is our high priest, we do not have to stay away in fear. To come boldly does not mean being rude or proud, but coming with confidence that God welcomes us for Jesus’ sake. We can ask for mercy to cover our sins and grace to strengthen us, especially in hard times or when we are tempted.

Question 8

Why does the passage talk about “today” and warn against hardening hearts?

Accepted Answer

The word “today” shows that God is giving a present, ongoing opportunity to respond to His voice. The writer quotes the warning not to harden your hearts like Israel did in the wilderness. They heard God’s promise but resisted Him, and they missed the rest He offered. By saying “today,” the passage means we should not delay repentance or faith. Every time we hear God’s word and push it aside, our hearts can grow harder. So we are urged to listen now, while the door to His rest is still open.

Hebrews 4:1

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

The Sabbath Rest

The Living Word

The Sabbath Rest

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Hebrews 4:1

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

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