Remember, we're trying to stay focused on the troublesome passages found in chapters six and ten in order to understand them better. Here they are again. First, the one from chapter 6...

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. (Hebrews 6:7-8)

Then the one from Hebrews chapter 10...

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Below are short explanations for each part; they are based on what we've read in the last chapter –chapter three– and from reading more about their story in Numbers and Deuteronomy.

• The Hebrews stood at the entrance of God's physical rest –the Promised Land. This was after they witnessed the column of cloud in the day and bright fire in the night; the brightness of His glory on Mount Sinai; and the fire that consumed the rebels. The Hebrews saw His light –they were "enlightened" (Exodus 13:21-22, 2 Samuel 22:7-13, Numbers 11:1-3).
• They ate the daily bread –the manna– that He provided. The Hebrews tasted the food given from heaven to know about the word of God (Exodus 16:11-18, 31, Deuteronomy 8:1-4).
• The Holy Spirit that rested on Moses (so that he could fairly judge the disputes of the people) was later partaken (shared) with seventy leaders to help carrying the heavy burden. In this way, the people partook (shared) in the Holy Spirit (Numbers 11:4-6, 10-17).
• They saw supernatural events occur before their eyes –like the sea parting before them so they could escape from slavery and their enemies be destroyed (Exodus 14:21-28). Those miracles were physical demonstrations of spiritual power yet to come through Jesus.
• Moses told them to enter –after all, this was the Promised Land of milk and honey. There were two witnesses –Caleb and Joshua– who said that the Land was theirs for the taking (Numbers 14:5-11, Deuteronomy 1:22-28, Deuteronomy 1:29-38).
• But even after all of these, those stubborn people deliberately refused to go into the Land –God's Promised Land of rest.

As a nation, the Hebrews rebelled against God's message of physical salvation –given through Moses. In the very same hard-hearted way, many Hebrews of the first century watched Jesus come into their midst and yet they rebelled against His message. They hated the message and the Messenger who brought it.

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"; and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST." (Hebrews 4:1-5)

"For we also have had the good news preached to us, just as they also." Isn't that a curious statement? We modern day Christians usually think that the gospel was first preached in New Testament times by the Jesus, or John the Baptist, or the apostles. But it has been preached since the very beginning of creation. The gospel message –the good news– proclaims that the only way to be acceptable to God is to trust Him and His works rather than relying on ourselves and our own works.

But hearing and knowing the gospel is not enough. Faith is required to have a relationship with God –to be family members of "His house". And mixing religious works with faith is ultimately just works. It's described in the parable where a little leaven is added to a batch of dough –the leaven eventually permeates the entire batch and it's all leavened. Those who live by works will never receive eternal life.

Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS." For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:6-11)

Once again Psalm 95 is quoted. It's where God pleads with His people to come to Him by faith in His Son. They were given the physical example of following Joshua out of the desert; leaving Moses dead and buried on the mountain; crossing through the River Jordan; and piling up stones as a reminder of their entrance into the land of the promise. The spiritual equivalent is based on another Joshua (Jesus' Hebrew name). It's following Jesus out of certain death in the desert-wilderness; leaving the Ten Commandments of religion lifted up in respect, but left behind; crossing into a new life through living water; and establishing a permanent reminder of the entrance into the eternal promise of life with God.

From the time the people left Egypt, they demonstrated their rebellious nature by grumbling all along the way –"grumbling against the Lord". When chased by the Pharaoh's army, they doubted their own leaders, and yet God led them through the Red Sea and destroyed their enemies (Exodus 14). After going three days without water, they grumbled against the Lord, and yet He gave them water (Exodus 15). When remembering Egypt on their travel, they grumbled against the Lord about having no food, and yet He fed them manna and quail (Exodus 16). They doubted; yet He remained faithful.

It wasn't long until the Hebrews turned on one other with their complaints. To justify their actions, they went to Moses "to find out God's will" in each matter –requiring Moses to become a full time judge to settle their disputes. Jethro (Moses' father-in-law and priest to a foreign god) even saw that this was an overwhelming task. He advised Moses to teach God's laws and decrees directly to the people so that they themselves would know God's will. And he should set up more judges. All this seemed good to Moses and God agreed (Exodus 18).

For this to happen, God told Moses that He was going to make His glory visible to the Hebrews on top of Mount Sinai. His intent was to show the people that Moses was worthy of their trust (Exodus 19:9). Only those who were called could go up on the mountain –no one else –not even animals could touch it. God's holiness and their fallen nature could not coexist in the same place –they would die. When Moses related this to the people they all agreed to do all that the Lord said.

Then God called Moses up the mountain to hear what was required in preparation for this great event. Moses returned, telling the people to consecrate themselves for two days by washing, remaining abstinent, and not touching the mountain. Once again, they agreed to do all that the Lord said.

God called Moses and Aaron to come up to be with Him (Exodus 19). There He explained to them His will for the people –starting with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and following with many applicable examples about servants, personal injuries (Exodus 21); property and social responsibility (Exodus 22); justice and mercy; rules regarding the Sabbath; and the three main festivals (Exodus 23). When Moses returned, he wrote it all down so that the people would know God's will –the people and their judges would know how to settle their disputes. For the third time, the people agreed to do all that the Lord said (Exodus 24:3-4).

Again the Lord called Moses to come up on the mountain. This time it was to receive tablets on which God Himself wrote the Ten Commandments. Moses was gone only forty days and within that short time the people turned to worshiping a golden calf they had made. They knew God's will for their lives –it was told to them clearly –and they agreed to do it! This time, God was angry enough to wipe out the people and start over again. Because of Moses' great compassion, he appealed to God on their behalf and the Hebrews' lives were spared. Moses was allowed another trip up the mountain and returned with the Law written on the second set of stone tablets.

Through the Law, the people could see how far their hearts were from Him. Words –and even outward actions– might appear to be good, but the attitudes of the heart are a totally different matter.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

In painfully clear language, this passage tell us that God looks deep into each person's heart to determine their eternal destination. He knows whether their mouth and their heart are in agreement –whether their spoken words conform to a repentant heart –one that trusts God for life's provision. He sees the difference between following His Son by faith and remaining skeptical –staying on the other side of the River Jordan –lost in the desert wilderness –dead in the sin of rejecting God's offer to enter His rest.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Before Jesus began His ministry, He spent forty days in the desert where Satan tempted Him in body, soul and spirit. While He lived with the Hebrews, He faced rejection, insults and weariness. Giving in to any one of these temptations would have disqualified Him from being called the merciful Great High Priest. But because He did not give in, He is qualified to petition and to act on their behalf.

Only the high priest is allowed into the Holy of Holies. This new High Priest entered first and He also leads His people into it –the Promised Eternal Life –God's Rest –the very presence of God.

Next: Hebrews Chapter Five - The Priesthood