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They shall not enter My rest...

Text: Hebrews 4:3

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

The author of Hebrews is very careful to speak of God’s sovereignty. As the Lord God He may issue decrees such as the one recorded in the Scriptures.

“As He has said:
‘I swore in My wrath,
They shall not enter into My rest.'”
Hebrews 4:3

1. As He has said

a) This may be seen as a decree of a Sovereign God.

b) In context it may be said to be a judgment that God had made against the children of Israel who rebelled against Him because of unbelief.

2. I swore in My wrath

a) The word “swore” describes the solemnity of this word.

b) It is a word that is associated with the taking of an oath.

c) This word was tinged with “righteous anger”.

3. They shall not enter

a) Entrance into Canaan cannot be forced.

b) Entry into the Promised Land was contingent upon the exercising of faith in the Lord.

c) Stark failure to exercise necessary faith in God could result in being forbidden to enter into that “rest” (Canaan).

4. My rest

a) This is a fact that is often taken for granted.

b) Canaan truly belongs to God (“My rest”).

c) The spiritual and eternal Canaan also belongs to God.

d) God can refuse entry to anyone; He can also offer entry to anyone!

e) The entry requirement is “faith” in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Cf. Hebrews 3:1).