At Matins
The Second Lesson
Hebrews 4:1-13
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
The author to the Hebrews speaks of the promise which offers entry into the rest of God. The rest he refers to here can mean three different things. It can refer to entering into the peace of God. It can also mean the promised land. The people of Israel had wandered so long in the wilderness that their entry into the promised land was indeed the rest of God. The rest of God also refers to the sixth day of creation when all God's work was completed.
The promise of the rest of God still remains for us today. The danger is that we can fail to reach it. The Israelites who wandered for forty years in the desert failed to enter into the rest of God. They did not trust God to bring them through the difficulties that lay before them in the wilderness.
In Psalm 95:7-11, the Lord speaks through David and says that if they do not harden their hearts they can enter his rest. This rest is more than entry into the Promised Land. On the sixth day of creation when God rested, Genesis makes no reference to evening. In other words, there is no ending to God's rest on the sixth day. The day of God's rest goes on for ever.
God's appeal applies to us today. "Do not harden your hearts lest you fail to enter the rest of God." In other words, "be on guard that no disobedience or lack of faith keep you from entering the rest and peace which God is offering. To those who hear and believe God's word there awaits a great promise: they will know the peace of God, the joy and bliss of unending happiness with God, and the rest which will never cease.
"Lord Jesus Christ, you bring us into the rest of God where we may find true peace, happiness, and joy forever. May I celebrate your victory over sin and death with true joy and hope in the resurrection."
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church/Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo Australia
