This
statement, found in Hebrews 4:11, is
one of the most challenging admonitions in the New Testament. To fully
understand the phrase “enter His rest,” we must look at a number of
other scriptures from both the Old and New Testament. When we read Hebrews
3:7-11 & 17-19 against the backdrop of Numbers 14:23 and Deuteronomy 1:35
& 12:9, we can see that the “rest” that the children of Israel failed to
enter was the land which God had promised them.
More than the physical property itself however, this land also included all the blessings and promises that God said would be theirs in that land. These promises included cities and houses filled with all good things, orchards and vineyards already planted and producing, prosperity in every area of life, peace, health, rest from all their enemies, and the presence of God dwelling among them. In reality, the “Promised Land” was the Kingdom of God - which He would continue promising through His prophets, even up to the time of Jesus.
It was quite fitting that Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming the Kingdom of God was “at hand.” (Mark 1:14-15) He described God's Kingdom by saying it was like a great, luxurious feast that a wealthy man prepared for the occasion of His son’s wedding. (Matthew 22:2-4) While this description was reminiscent of many wonderful promises God had made about His kingdom and rest (like Isaiah 25:6-10) there was one notable difference - Jesus added the following phrase:
“At the Dinner hour he sent out his
servants saying, ‘all things are now
ready, come to the feast.’” (Luke 14:16)
No longer was this wonderful kingdom just some far-off futuristic dream to think about when things were really bad, now it was “ready” and “at hand.” In Matthew 25:34, Jesus stated that this Kingdom had in fact been prepared “from the foundation of the earth.” And in Hebrews 4:3 we read that God's works were finished “from the foundation of the earth.” Since the final day of creation God has been waiting for man to enter His “rest” and enjoy all that He has created for them.
For
those of us privileged enough to be heirs of the New Covenant, God’s “rest”
includes everything that has been done in, through, and by Jesus - for “in Him
all the promises of God are yes and amen.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) And when Hebrews 4 refers to us “labouring”
to enter His rest then, is referring to the “work” of faith in Jesus! (John 6:29)
For it is through faith and
patience we “inherit the promises.” {Hebrews 6:12)