The Rest God Gives
Hebrews 4:1–13 Chapter 3 of Hebrews presents two types of rest: that of entering Canaan (the rest offered to Israel) and that which comes from a life of faith in Christ. All the Israelites 20 and older, except for Joshua and Caleb, were denied life and rest in the Promised Land of Canaan because they rebelled against God in unbelief after He redeemed them from Egypt (Heb. 3:18–19). ChapterGet More Articles—Subscribe Today!
New Digital & Archive Subscription Options!
Digital Subscriptions are only $9.99/year. Digital + Archive Subscriptions are only $19.99/year.
First-time digital subscriber? Get a FREE, one-year trial at foi.org/digital!
I am listening to a great message on rest out of Hebrews. The teacher dives into this idea of rest in greater detail. He make the argument that there are degrees of experiencing God’s Rest as believers mature. The first degree is when they learn to rest in their salvation, becoming completely free from subtle forms of legalism. (This is the picture of the Exodus…Israel is redeemed from Egypt but being led to a greater place of rest) The second degree is the rest of the victorious Christian life. This is where they learn to overcome by God’s Spirit, allowing Christ to live through them. (Romans 8, The Promise Land etc.). The third level is the Sabbath Rest which comes from deep intimacy with God. It’s the mark of mature believers who know him and in their deep fellowship they experience the very rest God experiences. I am wondering if you think this is an accurate way to think about the “Rest” the author of Hebrews is encouraging the believers to pursue, instead of falling back into Judaism.
Thank you for clarifying something I needed understanding about. Blessings.