19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
CHAPTER 4 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.
2 For to us was the gospel preached, as well as to them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
THE FUNCTION OF THE LAW 4:12 "It is the ordinary method of the Spirit of God to convict sinners by the Law. It is this which, being set home on the conscience, generally breaketh the rocks in pieces. It is more especially this part of the Word of God which is quick and powerful, full of life and energy and sharper than any two-edged sword." John Wesley "The Law cuts into the core of the evil, it reveals the seat of the malady, and informs us that the leprosy lies deep within." Charles
Spurgeon 9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
4:4 Creation in six days. Most theologians throughout church history agree that in using the phrase "the evening and the morning were the first day," the Scriptures are speaking of a literal 24-hour day, rather than a period of years.
"To understand the meaning of 'day' in Genesis 1, we need to determine how the Hebrew word for 'day,' yom, is used in the context of Scripture ... A number, and the phrase 'evening and morning,' are used for each of the six days of creation (Genesis
1:5,8,13,19,23,31). Outside Genesis 1, yom is used with a number 410 times, and each time it means an ordinary day—why would Genesis 1 be the exception? Outside Genesis
1, yom is used with the word 'evening' or 'morning' 23 times. 'Evening' and 'morning' appear in association, but without yom, 38 times. All 61 times the text refers to an ordinary day—why would Genesis 1 be the exception? In Genesis 1:5, yom occurs in context with the word 'night.' Outside of Genesis 1, 'night' is used with yom 53 times
—and each time it means an ordinary day.
Why would Genesis 1 be the exception? Even the usage of the word 'light' with yom in this passage determines the meaning as ordinary day." Ken Ham, et al., The Answers Book (revised and expanded) "So far as I know, there is no professor of Hebrew or Old Testament at any world-class university who does not believe that the writer(s) of Genesis 1–11 intended to convey to their readers the idea that (a) creation took place in a series of six days which were the same as the days of 24 hours we now experience; (b) the figures contained in the Genesis genealogies provided by simple addition a chronology from the beginning of the world up to later stages in the biblical story; (c) Noah's Flood was understood to be worldwide and extinguish all human and animal life except for those in the ark." Dr.
James Barr, professor of Hebrew, Oxford University 4:4 The creation days. Some of the early church fathers believed that God created everything in only one day, or in an instant.
To counter this teaching, Martin Luther wrote:
"When Moses writes that God created Heaven and Earth and whatever is in them in six days, then let this period continue to have been six days, and do not venture to devise any comment according to which six days were one day. But, if you cannot understand how this could have been done in six days, then grant the Holy Spirit the honor of being more learned than you are. For you are to deal with Scripture in such a way that you bear in mind that God Himself says what is written.
But since God is speaking, it is not fitting for you to wantonly turn His Word in the direction you wish it to go."
4:7 Isaiah 55:6 exhorts the lost to "seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." God's offer of grace will end, so sinners are commanded to seek the Lord "while He may be found." They must then "call" upon Him. An intellectual belief in His existence is not saving faith. Romans
10:13 says "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
4:12 Soldier of Christ, throw away your sheath, it is not part of your armor. Strap the two-edged sword firmly in your hand. The way to keep the sword on hand is to have it in your mouth. In Jeremiah 1:7–9, God told the prophet not to be afraid to speak. God then put His words in the mouth of Jeremiah, and in chapter 5 we are given a report of his transformation: "Thus says the Lord God of hosts, Because you speak this word, behold, I will make my words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them"
4:15 Some believe that because Scripture says Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are" that He must have struggled with temptations to lie, steal, sin sexually, etc. But Scripture explains that all the attractions of this world fit into three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Jesus was tempted by the devil in these three areas and, as the "second
Adam," He successfully passed the tests.
These are the same tests that the first Adam underwent and failed (Genesis 3:6). Adam and Eve saw that the tree was good for food
("lust of the flesh"; compare Luke 4:3,4), was pleasant to the eyes ("lust of the eyes"; compare Luke 4:5–8), and was desirable to make one wise ("pride of life"; compare Luke
4:9–12). We will "pass the test" and not