Comments on: NT for Lent 4 - Hebrews 4 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/ musings from those on the journey Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:24:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Janet http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157732 Janet Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:19:23 +0000 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157732 The promised land was rest from slavery, and from wandering in the wilderness... I guess analogous to slavery to sin / law / death... and from wandering in the darkness of ignorance. The promised land wasn't a holiday... it involved sowing and weeding and reaping and all kinds of work... just as our life of discipleship involves activity but not bondage. Yes, I think I get what you're saying. The promised land was rest from slavery, and from wandering in the wilderness… I guess analogous to slavery to sin / law / death… and from wandering in the darkness of ignorance.

The promised land wasn’t a holiday… it involved sowing and weeding and reaping and all kinds of work… just as our life of discipleship involves activity but not bondage.

Yes, I think I get what you’re saying.

]]> By: just_nigel http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157686 just_nigel Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:02:46 +0000 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157686 "The promise of entering God's rest still stands" This rest is the same one that God promised the Israelites on leaving slavery in Egypt. I equate, not with an after-life heaven but the kingdom of heaven starting here on earth - living in freedom under the just and merciful reign of God. Unfortunately just entering the promised land under Joshua was not enough. There was still too much 'hardening of hearts' against God. Yet even though there is rebelion against God in the world, we who hear God's word and have faith can enter this rest now becasue God has integrated it into creaton from the begining. Therefore let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Jesus is the way for us to enter this Gracious rest. PS: "For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day" - I love how the author couldn't remember where this was written, but quoted it anyway. If only the Holy Spirit had let the scripture writers use online concordnaces in those days. “The promise of entering God’s rest still stands”
This rest is the same one that God promised the Israelites on leaving slavery in Egypt. I equate, not with an after-life heaven but the kingdom of heaven starting here on earth - living in freedom under the just and merciful reign of God.

Unfortunately just entering the promised land under Joshua was not enough. There was still too much ‘hardening of hearts’ against God. Yet even though there is rebelion against God in the world, we who hear God’s word and have faith can enter this rest now becasue God has integrated it into creaton from the begining. Therefore let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Jesus is the way for us to enter this Gracious rest.

PS: “For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day” - I love how the author couldn’t remember where this was written, but quoted it anyway. If only the Holy Spirit had let the scripture writers use online concordnaces in those days.

]]> By: dan http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157087 dan Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:28:34 +0000 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157087 Janet, I really like that linking of the idea of God's rest with the idea of grace. I am going to think about that some more. Janet, I really like that linking of the idea of God’s rest with the idea of grace. I am going to think about that some more.

]]> By: Janet http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157059 Janet Mon, 26 Feb 2007 07:49:35 +0000 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157059 "9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." I think many scriptures can be read on more than one level... but I see God's rest as receiving grace... we cease using the law (works) to be justified before God, and accept his love and grace (rest) as poured out in Christ. Why, paradoxically, do we have to "strive" to enter this rest? Because it's the most natural thing in the world to think we have to do something to receive God's favour. To simply open our hearts to accept this love and favour with the openness of a child is something that can be a struggle. But of course if you're REALLY a good Christian you'll give away your TV... ooops, wrong thread!!!! “9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.”

I think many scriptures can be read on more than one level… but I see God’s rest as receiving grace… we cease using the law (works) to be justified before God, and accept his love and grace (rest) as poured out in Christ.

Why, paradoxically, do we have to “strive” to enter this rest? Because it’s the most natural thing in the world to think we have to do something to receive God’s favour. To simply open our hearts to accept this love and favour with the openness of a child is something that can be a struggle.

But of course if you’re REALLY a good Christian you’ll give away your TV… ooops, wrong thread!!!!

]]> By: dan http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157045 dan Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:55:05 +0000 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157045 PS, I know that everyone is going to say that the "rest" is heaven, but comparing it with the rest that Joshua was bringing or the rest that God had after creation suggests to me the idea of a different idea of rest. PS, I know that everyone is going to say that the “rest” is heaven, but comparing it with the rest that Joshua was bringing or the rest that God had after creation suggests to me the idea of a different idea of rest.

]]> By: dan http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157044 dan Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:51:09 +0000 http://www.signposts.org.au/2007/02/26/nt-for-lent-4-hebrews-4/#comment-157044 <blockquote>12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account</blockquote> I really like this idea of the word of God as an active, dynamic force. I suspect that others will interpret this differently, but it is a powerful image. Plus I am interested in the idea of a Sabbath rest. What seems to be discussed here is something more than a day of rest, but more like an era or an epoch - the idea that we will come into a time of rest with God.

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account

I really like this idea of the word of God as an active, dynamic force. I suspect that others will interpret this differently, but it is a powerful image. Plus I am interested in the idea of a Sabbath rest. What seems to be discussed here is something more than a day of rest, but more like an era or an epoch - the idea that we will come into a time of rest with God.

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