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Passage: Hebrews 4
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Chapter Summary
v1-10 - The first generation of Israelites who were freed from Egypt never arrived in the Promised Land. Although God had formally instituted the Sabbath day when He gave that generation the Ten Commandments, they never got to truly experience the rest God wanted to provide for them because of their lack of faith. But the author of the book of Hebrews has been reminding his readers of the promise found in the second half of Psalm 95, which was written hundreds of years after the exodus. What's so amazing about it is that God's promise of Sabbath Rest still was valid centuries later, and therefore that promise is still valid right now. That means these words, written in the Psalms and quoted in Hebrews are also meant for you:
TODAY - Right now
If you hear God's voice
do not harden your heart (Ps 95:7-8 / v7)
v11-16 - This short passage contains three verses you ought to memorize:
Make every effort to enter this Sabbath rest (v11)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (v12)
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (v16)
Old Testament Reference(s) -
Read Psalm 95 again, even if you just read it yesterday. After seeing the monumental importance that Hebrews places on this Psalm, is there anything you notice about it now that you didn't before?
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions.
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: The author of Hebrews says that the word of God is “sharper” than something. What is it (v12)?
The generation that harden their hearts in the desert saw the miracles of God with their own eyes, but yet v2 says that 'they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.' How would you describe the difference between knowing that God exists (as the generation in the desert did) and having faith in God's promise?
There's lots of reasons it was important that Jesus was fully God and fully man. Which of those reasons is being referred to in v15? How does that comfort you?
Question 1 taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The all knowing and all seeing (omniscient) God to whom all things must give account (v13)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for continued strength for you to make every effort to enter God's Sabbath rest (v11).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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