Hebrews 4:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

NIV: God again set a certain day, calling it "Today." This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

NASB: He again sets a certain day, 'Today,' saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, 'TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.'

CSB: he again specifies a certain day— today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.

NLT: So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: 'Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”

In chapter 3, the writer of Hebrews warned his fellow Christians not to doubt the promises of God. He gave the example of Israel's failure in the desert, at the border of the Promised Land (Numbers 13—14). By quoting Psalm 95, the writer explained that God's promise of rest—a separate issue from our eternal salvation—is dependent on whether we "hold fast" to our faith (Hebrews 3:6). Those Israelites who failed to fulfill the work given to them by God were denied their "rest" of the Promised Land.

This passage, completed in verse 10, points out that the inheritance "rest" offered by God is still available to those willing to trust and obey. Certain false teachers of this era claimed that Christ had already returned in His second coming, forcing teachers like Paul to counter their errors (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 2:17–18). In particular, the writer of Hebrews points out that Psalm 95 uses the word "today," even though the Psalm was written long after Moses' time. In other words, the Scripture is saying, "this means you" to those who read it.

Since God's seventh-day Sabbath rest is still ongoing (Hebrews 4:9), and Joshua's victory in Canaan was not a complete fulfillment of the promises of God (Hebrews 4:8), and since disobedience was what kept Israel out of the Promised Land, there is still a "rest" inheritance available for those who faithfully complete the works assigned to them by God (Hebrews 4:10). This, in fact, is the meaning of the term "rest" as used here: a completion of our works resulting in victory.

Hebrews 4:1–13 reassures Christians that they have not missed their opportunity to enjoy the ''rest'' promised by God. Chapter 3 warned about the dangers of losing faith and disobeying God. In this passage, the writer points out that psalmists like David, who came long after Moses, encouraged Israel to obtain God's rest ''today.'' Since God's rest on the seventh day of creation came only after His work was done, and Israel only suffered loss when they failed to complete their assigned work, Christians should strive to complete the work given them by God, in order to obtain the greater heavenly rewards. The most potent tool we have in this effort is the razor-sharp Word of God.

In Hebrews chapter 4, the author refines the theme of chapter 3. An entire generation of Israel lost out on their inheritance of the Promised Land due to a lack of faith. Here, the author points out that the rest promised by God is still offered, through Christ. The razor-sharp truth of the Word of God will separate what is truly spiritual from what is faithless. We should make every effort to obtain our inheritance in Christ, which is something separate from our eternal salvation. We can also be confident, knowing Jesus can uniquely sympathize with our temptations and sufferings.

Chapters 1 and 2 explained how Messiah could not be an angel, but had to be human in order to become our example and the ''Captain'' of our salvation. Chapter 3 described Jesus as worthy of greater glory than Moses, since Jesus fulfilled the promises Moses only spoke of. Chapter 4 will continue to place Jesus as a higher example than Old Testament figures, including Joshua. This chapter bridges the focus of Hebrews from our need to ''hold fast'' in faith to Jesus' status as our ultimate High Priest.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.