Hebrews 4:8

Hebrews 4:8

Another day of rest

This verse draws our attention to the efforts of Joshua to claim Canaan. He courageously led the Israelites across the Jordan River and in a very short space of time, found himself confronting the might of the city of Jericho and then AI, and so on. The armies of Israel spread out across the land taking control, step by step, moving south, west and north. The main military campaign took at least 7 years during which time it is believed that 31 Canaanite kings were defeated and, eventually, the land could be divided up between the tribal groups. This may have been all that Israel could have hoped for, but it is certainly not the complete fulfilment of Shabbat that the Lord God had in mind for His people. There is another “rest”, another deeper meaning to His plans for mankind. 

It could be argued that God’s rest is the eternal fulfilment of His plans when heaven and earth are cleansed of all evil and the Satan and his powers are completely extinguished. That is certainly a future anticipation for all those who believe. Then, there is the rest that is promised to all who trust in Yeshua, that He will come and take us to our heavenly home at least until He is ready to rule and reign over the earth. There is also the “rest” that comes for those who walk by faith and are willing to cease from their labours to win God’s favour. Obviously, there is the rest that was sought by Moses and the Israelites which eventually turned out to be the ownership and occupation of the Promised Land achieved under Joshua. But none of these options seem to fit the context of this verse which promises “another day” when God’s people can be at rest. Each of the “rests” described are more than just pipe dreams, they are and will be a reality for the people of God but there is a further “rest” that will occupy our thoughts as we study v 9-10. 

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