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No.28.
The Sabbath, the Sword and the Sympathy (4: 9 - 16).
pp. 227 - 232
In chapters 3: & 4: the words katapausis and katapauo ("rest") occur eleven times,
and the one reference in 4: 9 where the word sabbatismos is used, makes twelve in all.
It is evident therefore that this "rest" is an essential subject. In the first case the entry into
the land of promise was typical of the rest that remaineth to the people of God, for it is
used directly in connection with Israel in the wilderness. That it was not the actual "rest",
but a type only, may be seen from Heb. 4: 8:
"For if Joshua (Jesus A.V.) had given them rest, then would He not afterward have
spoken of another day",
which the Lord did in David's time, as is seen in Psa. 95: Not only is the rest here
spoken of likened to the entry of the faithful overcomer into Canaan, it is also likened to
the Sabbath day rest of the week in creation:
"For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the
seventh day from all His works" (Heb. 4: 4).
The structure of Heb. 4: 1-13 will help us to see the chief features of the passage and
guide us in our study.
Hebrews 4: 1 - 13
A | 1, 2. | a | Let us therefore fear, lest
b | Any come short.
c | Not united by faith.
d | The Word of hearing.
B | 3, 4. Nature of this rest. After works, e.g., Creation.
C | 5, 6. It remaineth (apoleipo)--a rest.
D | 7. David.
D | 8. Joshua.
C | 9. There remaineth (apoleipo)--a rest.
B | 10. Nature of this rest. After works, e.g., Creation.
A | 11-13. | a | Let us therefore labour, lest
b | Any fall.
c | Example of unbelief.
d | The Word of God.
The A.V. of 4: 2 reads "not being mixed with faith" and gives in the margin
"Because they were not united by faith to". The R.V. reads "But the word of hearing did
not profit them, because they were not united by faith with them that heard". This
reading turns our attention to the great division that came about after the return of the
spies. Israel did not join with Caleb and Joshua in their triumphant faith, but with the
unbelievers and the complainers.