As He has said...
Text: Hebrews 4:3
KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF GOD
There is no question that the author of Hebrews possessed a great and deep knowledge of the Scriptures. How did he understand the Scriptures? The following observations may be made:-
1. The historical element of the Scriptures:-
a) Biblical history is regarded as factual.
b) The Word of God given fitted into the historical context of the day.
c) There was mention of Moses as a historical and true personage.
2. The theological element of the Scriptures
a) Historical events and places have added meaning.
b) The word rest took on a deeper meaning than the mere historical context.
i) There is a reference to a special kind of “rest” God gives.
ii) This is a rest that people of faith can enter (Hebrews 4:3).
iii) There is another (ultimate) rest that is hinted at (heavenly rest).
3. As He has said
a) God is seen as the Divine Author (even if there are human instruments who wrote the Scriptures.
b) Great care must be taken when reading what “He (God) has said”.
c) There is great depth to what God has uttered.
d) Only through careful meditation would the depths of the Scriptures be revealed.
i) The reading of the word must be “mixed with faith” (Hebrews 4:2).
ii) The understanding of the word must be accompanied by appropriate response.
iii) If the above are applied carefully, we will find “rest”.