Let Us Labor to Enter Rest Hebrews 4:11

The Hebrew writer established the fact that Jesus spoke of a “rest” that would be available to everyone who believed in Him, and in chapter four and verse eleven the writer challenges the readers of Hebrews to “labor therefore to enter into that rest” where we read:

Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The verse begins, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest,,...” The writer began with the words, “Let us labor” which means “Allow and permit the Hebrew writer and his readers to endeavor, do diligence, be forward and study” “therefore” or “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “to enter” which means “go in and arise” “into that rest” which refers to “into the calm and quiet provided by Jesus”. We are to “allow, permit and do diligence” to “enter” God's “rest”.

The verse goes on to say, “ ...lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” The writer added, “lest any man” which means “so that, in order that and albeit not that any certain or some person” “fall” or “descend from a higher place to a lower, be thrust down or under condemnation” “after the same” or “by or with a similar and like-kind” “example” which means “suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, a representation, figure or copy” “of unbelief” or “obstinacy, rebellion, disobedience and opposition to the divine law”. The reason the writer and readers of Hebrews should “labor to enter into that rest” is because there is a possibility they will become “unbelievers” like the children of Israel who wandered in the wilderness.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see what seems like a contradictory statement – that is, to “labor” to “rest”. However, the idea is to be busy about the business of “entering into” the “rest” that Jesus provides rather than attempting to work out salvation for ourselves. No amount of works, whatever they may be, will provide eternal salvation or “rest” for our souls, and to continue to “labor” in those efforts is futile. The writer of Hebrews encourages his readers to “endeavor and be diligent” about “resting” in Jesus' finished work. Jesus provided the answer or the only “work” that will allow for our sins to be forgiven, and the more we “labor” to “enter into” His provision, the more at “rest” our minds and souls will be.

Next time the writer of Hebrews shares how “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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