Hebrews 4:6-7 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 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.”
The author now gives a summarizing statement to make sure the readers are caught up and understand his key point. There are some among the readers who still need to enter the spiritual rest about which the author writes. This is one of the reasons he writes this letter: he wants to make sure the readers have given themselves totally over to Jesus and have not walked away or returned to their old life of sin. The readers could make the same mistake as the desert generation who refused to enter the promised land because of disbelief. They did not trust in God’s promises and instead, hardened their hearts in disobedience. God did not give up on Israel even though they rejected God over and over again. Each generation had to make the decision whether to believe and trust God or go their own way in disobedience. God was not going to give up on the readers of this epistle either. There still was a Sabbath rest for the readers. They needed to hear and obey God “today.” They were in danger of hardening their hearts like Israel. As modern readers of this epistle and as people who hear the gospel message, we are faced with the same decision as the readers of Hebrews and the generation of Israelites who escaped Egyptian slavery. Will we listen to God’s invitation and step out in faith and trust? God speaks through many ways. One way is through Scripture. This letter is one way God speaks to us today. Will we heed his voice?
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