Hebrews 4:8

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. Answer to the possible objection to his reasoning-namely, that those brought into Canaan by Joshua (so "Jesus," ) did enter the rest of God. If the rest of God meant Canaan, God would not, after their entrance into that land, have spoken of another (future) day of entering the rest. THEREFORE - because God 'speaks of another day' (note, )....

8._For if Jesus had given them rest, _or, _had obtained rest for them, etc. _He meant not to deny but that David understood by rest the land of Canaan, into which Joshua conducted the people; but he denies this to be the final rest to which the faithful aspire, and which we have also in common with the faithful of that age; for it is certain that they looked higher than to that land; nay, the land of Canaan was not otherwise so much valued except for this reason, because it was an image and a symbol of the spiritual inheritance. When, therefore, they obtained possession of it, they ought not to have rested as though they had attained to the summit of their wishes, but on the contrary to meditate on what was spiritual as by it suggested. They to whom David addressed the Psalm were in possession of that land, but they were reminded of the duty of seeking a better rest. We then see how the...

1-10 The privileges we have under the gospel, are greater than any had under the law of Moses, though the same gospel for substance was preached under both Testaments. There have been in all ages many unprofitable hearers; and unbelief is at the root of all unfruitfulness under the word. Faith in the hearer is the life of the word. But it is a painful consequence of partial neglect, and of a loose and wavering profession, that they often cause men to seem to come short. Let us then give diligence, that we may have a clear entrance into the kingdom of God. As God finished his work, and then rested from it, so he will cause those who believe, to finish their work, and then to enjoy their rest. It is evident, that there is a more spiritual and excellent sabbath remaining for the people of God, than that of the seventh day, or that into which Joshua led the Jews. This rest is, a rest of gra...

Verse Hebrews 4:8. _FOR IF JESUS HAD GIVEN THEM REST_] It is truly surprising that our translators should have rendered the Ιησους of the text _Jesus_, and not _Joshua_, who is most clearly intended. They must have known that the יהושע _Yehoshua_ of the Hebrew, which we write _Joshua_, is everywhere rendered ιησους, _Jesus_, by the Septuagint; and it is their reading which the apostle follows. It is true the Septuagint generally write Ιησους Ναυη, or Υἱος Ναυη, _Jesus Nave_, or _Jesus, son of Nave_, for it is thus they translate יהושע בן נון _Yehoshua ben Nun_, Joshua the son of Nun; and this is sufficient to distinguish it from _Jesus, son of David_. But as Joshua, the captain general of Israel, is above intended, the word should have been written _Joshua_, and not _Jesus_. One MS., merely to prevent the wrong application of the nam...

FOR IF JESUS - Margin, “That is, Joshua.” The Syriac renders it, “Joshua the son of Nun.” “Jesus” is the Greek mode of writing “Joshua,” and there can be no doubt that Joshua is here intended. The object is to prove that Joshua did” not” give the people of God such a rest as to make it improper to speak of a “rest” after that time. “If Joshua had given them a complete and final rest; if by his conducting them to the promised land all had been done which had been contemplated by the promise, then it would not have been alluded to again, as it was in the time of David.” Joshua “did” give them a rest in the promised land; but it was not all which was intended, and it did not exclude the promise of another and more important rest. THEN WOULD HE NOT - Then “God” would not have spoken of another time when that rest could be obtained. The “other day” here referred to is that which is mentioned...

EXPOSITION A REST STILL OFFERED TO CHRISTIANS. HEBREWS 4:1 LET US FEAR, THEREFORE, LEST, A PROMISE BEING STILL LEFT OF ENTERING INTO HIS REST, ANY ONE OF YOU SHOULD SEEM TO HAVE COME SHORT. This verse is a renewed warning against remissness, based (as is shown by the connecting οὖν) on the preceding argument, but introducing also, by means of the clause, καταλειπομένης, etc., a new thought, the elucidation of which is the subject of what follows. The new thought is that the true "rest of God," typified only by the rest of Canaan, remains still for the attainment of Christians. That this is the ease has not yet been shown; and hence the clause, "a promise being still left." etc., does not point to a conclusion already arrived at, but to what is com

FOR IF JESUS HAD GIVEN THEM REST,.... That is, Joshua; for Hosheah, Joshua, and Jesus, are one and the same name; or Jesus himself, as two of Stephens's copies read; and so Joshua is called Jesus by the Septuagint interpreters on Exodus 17:10 and other places where he is mentioned; and also, by Josephus h, and Philo i the Jew. The Syriac version, lest any should mistake this for Jesus Christ, adds, "the son of Nun": who is certainly the person designed, as the apostle's reasoning shows; who was an eminent type of Jesus Christ: there is an agreement in their names, both signify a saviour, Joshua was a temporal saviour, Christ a spiritual one; and in their office they were both servants; and in their qualifications for their office, such as wisdom, courage, faithfulness, and integrity. Joshua was a type of Christ in many actions of his life; in the miracles he wrought, or were wrought for...

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._ If you avoid the very seeming of it, you will avoid the thing itself. Oh! that we were careful about this that there was nothing that should give any reasonable fear to those who observed us, or to ourselves when we search our hearts, lest we should not enter into this rest. Hebrews 4:2. _For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it._ It must be mixed with faith. There are many drugs that are of no value till they are mixed with something else; and the Word preached becomes of no value to a soul until it is mixed with faith in them t

CHAPTER 4 _ 1. What the rest of God is (Hebrews 4:1)_ 2. The power of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you might seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” These words of exhortation belong properly to the preceding chapter. What is the rest of which these verses speak? It is generally explained as the rest which the true believer finds and has in the Lord Jesus Christ in believing; that his conscience has rest. It is frequently identified with...

HEBREWS 4:1 continues the exposition of Psalms 95. The writer has already dealt with the warning contained therein; now he shows that this very warning implies a promise. In declaring that His rest is withheld from those who had proved unworthy of it, God would have us know that it is still in store. The fulfilment of that promise which had been offered in vain to ancient Israel is reserved for the people of Christ. HEBREWS 4:1 F. Transition from warning to promise. The warning of the psalm is one that directly concerns ourselves, for, since the Israelites under Moses were forbidden to enter into the promised rest, it is still waiting, and we Christians may possess it, if we do not fail as they did. The message which came to them has come also to us. They heard it, but missed the blessing which it