The Promise of God’s Rest is realized through Christ—Let us strive after it by Him, our Sympathizing High Priest.The rest of Christians is attained by faith continues 1–11.
- Saying in David. 2Sam. 23:1-2, Matt. 22:43, Act. 2:29, 31; 28:25. “In a Psalm composed by David, that is, God spake by him. To-day. Ps. 95:7 Now:—that is, even in the time of David. After so long a time. That is, so long after the first promise was made; about five hundred years.” Bernes, Albert &co. “That rest wherewith men are invited to enter four hundred and fifty years after a rest possessed, is another rest than that which Israel possessed. But the rest intended by David is a rest wherein he inviteth men to enter four hundred and fifty years after Canaan was possessed. Therefore, Canaan is not that rest” (Dr. Gouge).
- 8 Deu. 12:9; 25:19, Josh. 1:15; 22:4; 23:1. “The Psalmist has spoken of another day and another rest, whence it is evident that there is a more spiritual and excellent sabbath remaining for the people of God than that into which Joshua led the Jews (v. 6–9),
- 9 Is. 11:10; 57:2; 60:19, 20, Rev. 7:14–17; 21:4. This rest remaining, [1.] A rest of grace, and comfort, and holiness, in the gospel state. This is the rest wherewith the Lord Jesus, our Joshua, causes weary souls and awakened consciences to rest, and this is the refreshing. [2.] A rest in glory, the everlasting sabbatism of heaven… where the people of God shall enjoy the end of their faith and the object of all their desires. It is certain that God, after the creating of the world in six days, entered into his rest; and it is certain that Christ, when he had finished the work of our redemption, entered into his rest; and that believers shall enter into their rest:
- He that hath entered into rest hath also ceased from his own works as God did from his, v. 10. Rev. 14:13, hath finish Jn. 19:30. 1Pet. 4:1, 2. That is, the man who is so happy as to reach heaven, will enjoy a rest like that which God had when he finished the work of creation. It will be (1.) a cessation from toil; and (2.) it will be a rest like that of God—the same kind of enjoyment, the same freedom from care, anxiety, and labour. “Every true believer hath ceased from his own works of righteousness, and from the burdensome works of the law, as God and Christ have ceased from their works of creation and redemption.” M. Henry “Let those who love the Sabbath rejoice in the prospect of eternal rest in heaven. In our labour, and in our affliction, let us look to that world where wearisome toil is unknown, where tears never fall… It is not far distant. A few steps will bring us there. It may be said that our next Sabbath will be spent in heaven—near the throne of God.” Bernes, &co
- 11 Let us therefore labour Matt. 7:13; 11:12, 28–30, Lk. 13:24; 16:16, Jn. 6:27. Phi. 2:12, 2Pet. 1:10, Let us earnestly strive. Since there is a rest whose attainment is worth all our efforts; since so many have failed of reaching it by their unbelief, and since there is so much danger that we may fail of it also, let us give all diligence that we may enter into it. Heaven is never obtained but by diligence; and no one enters there who does not earnestly desire it, and who does not make a sincere effort to reach it. Bernes, Albert &co
