This study in Hebrews has certainly been a surprise.  From time to time, I am astonished by a theme in Scripture, as if I had never seen it before.  In this case, the theme of Today in Hebrews has captured my imagination again, as it did when I was in high school.  I see now that the study could be far more complex.  Perhaps at some point, I will be able to explore the Christology that the author of Hebrews seems to be weaving in with the theme of Today.  However, for now, I’m tuning in to how the term Today is used in each context where it occurs.  In this post, Today is linked to Rest, something we all seem to forget about with our fast paced lifestyles.

i. Hebrews 4.5-7

And again in this place it says, “They shall not enter my rest.”  Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he sets a certain day—“today”—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted,

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.” (NRSV)

Hebrews 4.5 is one sentence.  Verses 6-7 are one sentence in the Greek.  Verse 7 quotes Psalm 95.  Keeping the Today in mind, there are a couple indications that God is presently at work.

1st indication

The first indication is that he sets a certain day, meaning that He is currently setting limits.  That limit is not some nebulous day in the future.  That limit is Today.  We are profoundly limited by Today.  It is our only opportunity to engage God.

2nd indication

A second indication of God’s present work is what He is saying through David much later.  This shows that God draws upon words He speaks to the Israelites when they enter the Promised Land.  He repurposes those words through David 400 years later.  Now the writer of Hebrews draws upon those words again.  In some mysterious way, God is present in all of these periods of time, yet makes His Word come alive in the now.

There is a blessed rest that is being discussed.  Today we have the opportunity to enjoy that rest . . . or plug away without it.

ii. Hebrews 4.8-10

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day.  So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.

There are two types of rest that are referred to.

1st type of rest

First is the rest of Joshua.  This is a rest that refers to stepping into our Promised Land.

We all want Jesus to be our Moses, our Deliverer.  Like Moses, we want Jesus to deliver us from what, who, or where we once were.  But do we really want Jesus to lead us into what we are becoming?  Do we really want Jesus to be our Joshua?

Joshua leads us into the promise, but there’s a fight to be fought.  On the other side, after the fight, after obedience, there’s rest.  After generations of rebels who wander in the wilderness, Israel finally takes her place among the nations . . .

. . . And the land had rest from war.  – Joshua 11.23

2nd type of rest

The second form of rest in this passage is Sabbath: a sabbath rest still remains (verse 9).  This type of rest comes only from incorporating rest into the routine.  For the Israelites it is Saturday.

For the First Century Christians, Sunday comes to the forefront, most likely because of the Resurrection.  It’s also possible that they are able to meet in local synagogues on Sundays.

Paul says some will regard one day as holier than another, but he is by no means arguing against the sacred rhythm of Sabbath (Romans 14.4-6).