The concept of a day of rest or Sabbath originates from the Bible and is integral to the Jewish and Christian faiths. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8). This commandment is repeated throughout the Old Testament as a sign of God’s covenant with His people (Ex. 31:13-17).
In the New Testament, references to Sabbath observance continue, particularly in accounts of Jesus’ ministry. However, the meaning and practice of Sabbath begins to shift towards spiritual rest and freedom in Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews provides important teaching on entering God’s rest through faith in Christ. This article will examine the background and meaning of the day of rest in Hebrews.
Sabbath in the Old Testament
The principle of Sabbath or ceasing from work has its origins at creation, when God rested on the seventh day after His work of creation (Gen 2:2-3). Following the example of God, the command to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy was codified for the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt (Ex. 20:8-11).
Observance of Sabbath was a sign of God’s covenant with Israel (Ex. 31:13, 17) and strict Sabbath keeping was emphasized by the prophets as necessary for the spiritual life of Israel (Isa. 56:2; 58:13-14; Jer. 17:19-27). The Sabbath was a day of rest from work and was to be a delight, holy to the Lord (Isa. 58:13). On this day, the Israelites were called to worship, reflect and celebrate God’s work of creation and deliverance.
Sabbath breaking was punished harshly (Ex. 31:14-15; Num. 15:32-36) because it was seen as covenant unfaithfulness and a rejection of God’s sovereignty. However, the prophets also rebuked those who simply went through the motions of Sabbath observance without sincere devotion to God (Isa. 1:13; Amos 8:5). The true purpose of Sabbath was for spiritual rejuvenation through worship, thanksgiving and remembrance of God’s deliverance (Deut. 5:12-15).
Sabbath in the Gospels
In the New Testament gospels, Jesus appears to depart from the traditional legalistic observance of Sabbath. He performs many healings on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees condemn as prohibited work (Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17). Jesus emphasizes that doing good and saving life is lawful on the Sabbath, as the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).
Jesus also claims authority over the Sabbath, declaring himself to be “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:8). This signals a transition from the old covenant Sabbath towards the new spiritual rest and salvation Christ brings. As one greater than the temple, Jesus fulfills the purpose of Sabbath prescribed in the law (Matt. 12:6). Through faith in Christ, believers can cease from works of self-righteousness and enter God’s rest in a way the old covenant Sabbath foreshadowed.
Sabbath Terminology in Hebrews
The author of Hebrews picks up on the Sabbath concept and language to communicate profound theological truth about salvation in Christ. The terms used include:
Sabbatismos
This Greek word for Sabbath observance only appears once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 4:9. The verse translates, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (ESV). The author implies that the ultimate fulfillment of Sabbath has not yet been attained by God’s people. There is still a future promise of rest awaiting those who persevere by faith.
Katapausis
Meaning “rest” in Greek, this term appears in Hebrews 3:11, 18 and 4:1, 3, 5, 10, 11. Katapausis parallels the OT concept of God’s promised rest, depicting it typologically as both present spiritual rest and future eternal rest in heaven.
Sabbatismos
This Greek term for Sabbath observance only appears once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 4:9. The verse translates, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (ESV). The author implies that the ultimate fulfillment of Sabbath has not yet been attained by God’s people. There is still a future promise of rest awaiting those who persevere by faith.
| Term | Meaning | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| Sabbatismos | Sabbath observance | Hebrews 4:9 |
| Katapausis | Rest | Hebrews 3:11, 18; 4:1, 3, 5, 10, 11 |
Entering God’s Rest according to Hebrews 3-4
In Hebrews chapters 3-4, the author masterfully exposits Psalm 95, which exhorts the wilderness generation not to harden their hearts and fail to enter God’s rest. The author warns the audience not to fail to enter God’s rest through unbelief, like the Exodus generation who fell in the wilderness (Heb. 3:7-19). Entering God’s rest requires persevering faith and obedience.
The author explains that the promise of rest remains open since Joshua did not provide the ultimate rest (Heb. 4:8). God’s rest is not essentially the physical rest of Canaan, but rather spiritual rest which the faithful may enter into now and await fully in eternity. Those who believe have already ceased from their own works and entered into God’s rest, while those who disobey face his judgment (Heb. 4:3-11).
Therefore, the promise of rest and warning against unbelief apply directly to NT believers. Through faith in Christ, believers can cease from works of the law and self-reliance, confidently entering God’s rest. However, wrath awaits those who fall away through unbelief. Faith and obedience bring God’s rest, now and forevermore.
Rest as a Present Reality
The author indicates that God’s people can presently experience rest through faith in Christ. When believers put faith in Christ rather than trusting their own self-righteous works, they find rest for their souls (Matt. 11:28-30). The believer has already entered God’s katapausis and ceased from his own works (Heb. 4:3,10). Experiencing God’s promised rest begins at conversion.
Rest as a Future Hope
Though believers experience present rest in Christ, the full promise of Sabbath rest remains unfulfilled (Heb. 4:9). The ultimate fulfillment lies in the future eternal rest. The Greek sabbatismos indicates an ongoing observance of Sabbath that culminates in heavenly rest. The promise of rest and warning against unbelief apply to NT believers who must persevere in faith to inherit the final rest. The fullness of Sabbath rest is attained when believers rest from earthly labors in the glorious presence of Christ.
Application of the Sabbath Rest Today
The day of rest concept in Hebrews teaches profound theological truth with practical applications today.
Cease from self-reliance
The opportunity to enter God’s rest remains open to all who hear the gospel. We must take care not to harden our hearts in unbelief (Heb. 3:12-15). To enter God’s rest, we must repent of self-reliance and works-based righteousness. Only through faith in Christ do we find rest for our souls.
Persevere by faith
Believers must continue laboring to enter God’s rest (Heb. 4:11), persevering in obedience, faith and hope until we attain the final rest. The journey will be difficult, but we follow Christ’s example of endurance (Heb. 12:1-3). Fixing our eyes on Jesus rather than our circumstances enables us to continue entering God’s rest.
Anticipate eternal rest
We can rejoice that the trials of this life are temporary, but the promise of rest in God’s presence is eternal. This heavenly hope motivates us to persevere through suffering (Rom. 8:18). As we worship on Sundays, we can anticipate the coming day when we will delight in unhindered rest and worship of the Lord.
Conclusion
The Epistle to the Hebrews uses Sabbath terminology in a unique rhetorical way to teach about salvation and rest in Christ. Jesus fulfills and supersedes the old covenant Sabbath as the divine Lord who offers spiritual rest. Believers have already ceased from works and begun experiencing God’s rest through faith in Christ. However, we await the coming heavenly rest at Christ’s return. This promise calls for persevering faith and obedience now. The biblical theology of rest in Hebrews offers encouragement and warning to journey faithfully until we enter our final Sabbath rest.