Hebrews 3:7-11

"Today" stresses the urgency of immediate action. This writer used it eight times in Hebrews. The context of the words quoted (Psalms 95:7-11) is very significant. The verses immediately preceding those quoted (Psalms 95:6-7 a) are a call to bow down and worship the Lord. That was the writer to the Hebrews’ desire for his readers. The words he quoted urge avoidance of Israel’s sin. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ initiated a new Exodus.

". . . the writer of Hebrews appeals to his recipients not to become discontented because of their suffering, and not to let discontentment give way to open rebellion-lest they, like their forefathers, lose the blessings of the privileges that now were available to them as believers." [Note: Pentecost, p. 76.]

"The grand and terrible lesson of Israel’s history is that it is possible to begin well and end poorly. In fact, this tragic human tendency dominates much human spiritual experience." [Note: R. Kent Hughes, 1:98.]

"’Rest’ (katapausis), as used here, points to a place of blessing where there is no more striving but only relaxation in the presence of God and in the certainty that there is no cause for fear." [Note: Morris, p. 35.]

"Rest" is another of the writer’s favorite words. For Israel, "rest" meant the enjoyment of all that God had promised the nation when they entered the Promised Land, not just entrance into the Promised Land. The next generation of Israelites did enter the Promised Land and experienced rest there because they chose to trust and obey God (cf. Joshua 1:13; Joshua 1:15; Joshua 21:44; Joshua 22:4; Joshua 23:1). For the Christian, "rest" is the enjoyment of all that God has promised us, not just going to heaven. This includes the full enjoyment of rewards that can be ours if we follow the Lord faithfully. All Christians will go to heaven and receive many blessings (Ephesians 1; 1 Peter 1), but some blessings are reserved for believers who continue to trust and obey God when faced with temptations to apostatize. [Note: See the Appendix at the end of these notes.] The crown of righteousness, the crown of life, the crown of glory, etc., are such rewards. Much confusion has resulted because Christians have interpreted "rest" simply as Canaan and heaven. In chapter 4, the writer spoke of "Sabbath rest," which is something different.