Thoughts on Hebrews: God's Rest, Part 15

Thank you for getting this far if you have. I have enjoyed thinking some of these things through. I hope this series as been thought-provoking for you.

I want to end with Isaiah 30, verse 15:

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

I am reminded of the day of Pentecost when Peter stood up and addressed the crowd. I won’t run through his entire address; you can go back and read Acts 2 when you want to.

After Peter closed with:

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.

The people were cut to the heart when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter answered them this way:

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.

We shouldn’t be surprised. What did John the Baptist first say?

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt. 3:1-2)

And Jesus?

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt. 4:17)

This is the return part of Isaiah 30:15. The rest part is found in something else Jesus said:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)

This is one way of seeing the last part of Isaiah 30:15, “you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength:”

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls . . . .

Christ promises us rest. Christ Jesus is our rest. But as he has stated it, his rest is learned from him, and learned only by drawing very near to him, by moving in lockstep with him—aligned with him, beside him, and engaged with him in whatever field he is plowing..

You want rest? Find him, follow him, listen to him and you will be saved—and his gentleness and humility of heart will be your strength.

His Son invites us to come to him, and we should not harden our hearts to him. We should not be unwilling as Israel was.

In the end, His Son is the last thing God has to say to us, We have heard His voice in Christ Jesus. He has said enough through His Son it seems to me.