Hebrews 4: Disorganized Thoughts

Read: Hebrews 4

“Who was the writer of Hebrews?” I asked. “Unknown,” he replied.

The writing style of the book of Hebrews is one of the most unique voices in the Bible, to me at least. Compared to any of the books Paul read, it doesn’t seem to be as cohesive. In fact, it seems to be rather choppy. The words don’t flow together as smoothly. One would almost say that the book of Hebrews is disorganized.

Yet on a closer read, one finds that this book is not as disorganized as first impressions say. It is actually organized in an interesting way.

I did a study of chapter 4 for my small group at youth fellowship. When they read it, they uncovered some confusion. What is this “rest” that the Unknown Writer refers to constantly? Verse three is somewhat mysterious. First the writer states that we who have believed entered that rest, just as God said, “So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ “ And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world” (verse 3).

…huh?

The particular reference comes from Psalm 95:11. Psalm 95 gives the reader some insight. Turns out that this was because people refused to listen and obey God. As a result, He said that they should not enter His “rest.” What is God’s rest?

The presence of God. Being in God’s will.

Our lives are so busy. When we continue to do our work (verse 9-10) and try to go our own way without listening to what God has to tell us, we get stressed out and just… tired. There’s no assurance that we will be safe — no assurance that our future is planned out, because we’re not going to look for it in God. Scary.

Those who are not in God’s rest are those that disobeyed God, as the Psalms state. Those that refuse to listen to Him. The beauty is that God continues to offer His rest to us. To everyone, even to those who did not listen and who are not listening. His grace is available TODAY.

My pastor didn’t go over verses 12-13. However, I love these verses.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The comparison of the word of God as a double-edged sword is excellent. When we read the Word, we cannot help but be convicted. God sees through our facade and plastic masks to the core of who we are. He sees the stuff that we struggle with and the thoughts that hold us in thrall. He KNOWS us.

A place in Utah called the Golden Throne

Verses 14-16 conclude the chapter. A high priest was the person who speaks to God. Long before, only he was able to go between God and man. Now, we have Christ. The writer makes it very clear that our High Priest is not one who cannot identify with what we’ve gone through, what we’re going through, but he’s a person who has been what we’ve been through and so can understand everything. Knowing that He gave Himself to pay the penalty for our sins, we can have confidence. We don’t have to be afraid that we’ll be incinerated.

We are under God’s mercy and grace.

Things to remember. We can be in God’s presence and will — we can rest in Him. He offers this rest to everyone, anywhere, anytime. God can see through us to the sins that we’ve committed and the thoughts that distract us. However, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence because of the High Priest who stepped between us: Jesus.