Hebrews 1 - 4

Rest

The epistle to the Hebrews is compelling to the Christian in that Paul (I agree with the scholars who place Paul as the author) ties the Old Testament covenant of rest (in chapters 3 and 4) and priesthood (in chapters 5 - 8) and sacrifice (in chapters 9 and 10) to the present dispensation of grace.  The epistle begins by firmly establishing Jesus Christ as the undisputed Son of God and the ruler and creator of this world.

Chapters 3 and 4 discuss the great subject of "rest" (see the link to my teaching) and tie the Sabbath and menuchah rest of the Old Testament to the anapausis and katapausis rest in the New Testament.  The Creator Himself establishes the concept and necessity of rest during the creation on the seventh day.  God also ties rest to holiness (qodesh) by requiring the Sabbath to be hallowed and sanctified.  This served as a foreshadow and type of the eternal Rest that is available, and even required, of all Christians through the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.