The book of Hebrews continues with the theme of the surpassing greatness of Jesus. He is now said to be greater than Moses (Heb. 3:3). Moses and the tabernacle built during his time were simply shadows of better things to come, namely Jesus and the true tabernacle in Heaven. Hebrews 3:4 clearly states that true believers will "hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end". This is what launches the author into a sermon on the rest and wrath of God.
Jesus said "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Here in Hebrews, the author says that those who harden their hearts will not enter into the rest that God offers through Jesus Christ. The Israelites chose to turn their confidence and trust away from the living God. God led them out of slavery in Egypt and then they come to the Red Sea and doubt the faithfulness of God (Exodus 14). God led them through the Red Sea and into the wilderness. Then they grumbled and said that they would rather have died in Egypt than in the wilderness (Exodus 16:3). God continually promised them that they would enter into "rest" in the land of Canaan. As a result of the unfaithfulness, God left them to wander in the wilderness to die. They chose not to enter into rest and consequently experienced the wrath of God. The Holy Spirit gives the same message in Psalm 95 in the time of David. They must enter into God's rest. The author of Hebrews quotes the psalmist to encourage his readers to enter into the rest lest they undergo the wrath of God. Many of the Israelites in the wilderness, the Jews in the time of David, those in the time of the New Testament, and many today will not enter into the rest that God offers because of unbelief in the living God (Heb. 3:19).
What is the "rest" that many since the beginning of creation have failed to enter into because of unbelief? Hebrews 3:1-13 answers this for us. To those who are alive today God makes a promise of rest. This rest remains available to those who turn to God in faith (Heb. 4:1). For those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then they have in part and will in full enter into the rest God has promised (Heb.4:3). God offered rest in the Garden of Eden. God's rest is the rest that He took on the seventh day after creation (Heb. 4:4-5). God is offering His people a perfect and complete rest. God offered Israel rest in Canaan, but this was only a shadow of the complete and perfect rest that God had in mind for those who follow Him in faith. Hebrews says that there is a better rest yet to come (Heb. 4:8-9). "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His" (Heb. 4:10). We get to enter into the complete rest that God took after His creation of a perfect world. Wow! If we place our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior then we will enter into God's perfect rest. Jesus offers us rest in part in this world. We are offered rest through the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), the hope of Christ's return, the joy of living a life that honors God, the hope in the future resurrection of the dead, and through the Holy Spirit who comforts us.
Ultimately, the rest that God promises to those who follow Him through Jesus Christ is an eternal and perfect rest in Heaven. This will take place at death or after the return of Jesus. Either way we will enter into the rest that we were created to enjoy. We will have intimate fellowship with our Savior and He will take away every tear, pain, and heartache. God, please help me every day to live in the reality of the rest that You have promised to us in part today and in full at the moment of death or after the return of Christ. Amen.
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