Hebrews 4:7
Verse
Context
The Sabbath Rest
6Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience, 7God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He limiteth a certain day - The term day signifies not only time in general, but also present time, and a particular space. Day here seems to have the same meaning as rest in some other parts of this verse. The day or time of rest relative to the ancient Jews being over and past, and a long time having elapsed between God's displeasure shown to the disobedient Jews in the wilderness and the days of David, and the true rest not having been enjoyed, God in his mercy has instituted another day - has given another dispensation of mercy and goodness by Christ Jesus; and now it may be said, as formerly, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. God speaks now as he spoke before; his voice is in the Gospel as it was in the law. Believe, love, obey, and ye shall enter into this rest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Again--Anew the promise recurs. Translate as the Greek order is, "He limited a certain day, 'To-day.'" Here Paul interrupts the quotation by, "In (the Psalm of) David saying after so long a time (after five hundred years' possession of Canaan)," and resumes it by, "as it has been said before (so the Greek oldest manuscript, before, namely, Heb 3:7, Heb 3:15), To-day if ye hear His voice," &c. [ALFORD].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Again he limiteth a certain day,.... Since the seventh day of the creation was a day of rest which God entered into, and not man; and since the land of Canaan was a typical rest, which the unbelieving Israelites did not enter into, because of unbelief; and yet there must be persons, and there must be a time for them to enter into the true rest which God has left a promise of; therefore he has limited, fixed, and appointed a certain day, the Gospel dispensation, for believers to enter into it: saying in David; or by David, who was the penman of the 95th psalm, as may be learned from hence; and this is agreeably to, and confirms a rule which the Jews give, that those psalms which are without a title were written by David (g); the Spirit of God spake in him and by him, and plainly pointed out another day of rest from the above mentioned: today, after so long a time; as two thousand five hundred years from the first seventh day to the time of Moses, and five hundred years from the times of Moses and Joshua, to his: as it is said; the Alexandrian copy reads, "as it is before said", or, "above said", as the Vulgate Latin, and Syriac versions; that is, in Psa 95:7 before cited, Heb 3:7 today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; See Gill on Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8. (g) Aben Ezra & Kimchi Praefat. in Tillim.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:7 So God set another time . . . and that time is today: The logic here is that David wrote Ps 95 much later than the wilderness debacle, so God’s rest cannot be limited to that earlier generation. The words already quoted are from Ps 95:7-8; these words encourage us not to harden our hearts when hearing God’s voice so that we might enter the rest that the people in the wilderness were denied. This opportunity is available today (see Heb 3:13).
Hebrews 4:7
The Sabbath Rest
6Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience, 7God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Jesus Today
By Warren Wiersbe7.6K51:43EXO 14:14RUT 3:18HEB 1:3HEB 3:7HEB 3:13HEB 3:15HEB 4:7HEB 13:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the sacrifice of Jesus. He highlights the role of Jesus as our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses and was tempted in every way yet remained sinless. The preacher encourages believers to boldly approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find help in times of need. He also discusses how Jesus upholds and holds everything together, including the universe, and poses the question of whether Jesus can also hold our lives, families, and churches together.
Jude #8 - Lessons and Conclusions
By Chuck Missler4.8K1:15:56Jude1CO 2:13HEB 4:7JAS 1:52PE 1:21JUD 1:22In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of a three-dimensional image and its analogy to the word of God. He explains that a hologram, with its ability to be viewed from different angles, represents the depth and substance of the scriptures. The speaker also highlights how the Bible, when viewed in natural light, may appear as a collection of stories and ideas, but when illuminated by the laser of God's truth, it reveals its true meaning and resolution. He further emphasizes that the scriptures are diffused and distributed throughout the 66 books, just like a communication engineer would do to counter hostile jamming. The speaker concludes by mentioning his fascination with the concept of time and how it relates to the vastness of the universe as observed through a telescope.
The Unpardonable Sin
By T. Austin-Sparks2.1K1:04:18Unpardonable SinMRK 3:28HEB 3:7HEB 3:15HEB 4:7HEB 6:4HEB 10:26HEB 10:29In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the warning against hardening one's heart. He emphasizes that falling away from a truly spiritual position to an external and sacramental system is a dangerous path. The preacher highlights the importance of knowing and standing on God's declared facts rather than relying on personal feelings. He also warns against psychical exaggerations and excesses, particularly the persistent longing for the ways of Egypt. The sermon references the book of Hebrews and the story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt to illustrate these points.
Today Is the Day
By Mike Gilchrist1.4K37:14Hearing GodPRO 8:17ECC 12:1MAT 6:33HEB 3:7HEB 4:7In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of going to the Holy Land with a man named Charles. They visited significant biblical sites such as the empty tomb and Calvary. During their trip, Charles had a profound spiritual awakening and committed himself to Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that God knows certain things that make Him excited, including the fact that people are more impressionable and open to salvation or restoration of fellowship at certain times. The speaker encourages the audience to seize the opportunity to say yes to God today.
Faith vs. Unbelief
By Bill McLeod1.4K40:59FaithECC 8:11JHN 3:36HEB 3:12HEB 3:15HEB 3:19HEB 4:7In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal testimony of witnessing a miraculous transformation in a family. The mother, who had been praying for a miracle, saw three of her sons become missionaries, including one who became an outstanding missionary in Brazil. The preacher emphasizes the power of belief in God's ability to bring about change and overcome any problem in our lives. He encourages listeners to reject Satan's lies of unbelief and instead trust in God's control and ability to bring victory and blessings. The sermon also includes a story from the Bible about a king who doubted God's ability to end a drought, and as a result, he died without experiencing the miracle. The preacher concludes by urging listeners to cast their cares upon God and have faith in His care for them. He also encourages the practice of writing out Bible verses as a way to internalize and remember God's Word.
Hearing God
By Anton Bosch1.3K47:21Hearing GodROM 1:182CO 3:12HEB 3:15HEB 4:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of interpreting and applying parables or illustrations in order to derive spiritual value from them. He mentions using five to ten different illustrations in his teachings, taken from various aspects of life. The preacher also highlights the repeated message in Hebrews 3:15 and 4:7, urging listeners to not harden their hearts and to hear God's voice. The sermon references the story of Samuel, where the word of God was scarce, but Samuel listened and became a vessel for God's message. The preacher warns against picking and choosing what aspects of preaching to follow based on personal preferences, as this can lead to turning away from the truth and being drawn towards fables.
Let Us Go on - Part 2
By Roy Hession1.2K47:13PerfectionHEB 3:7HEB 3:15HEB 3:19HEB 4:7HEB 5:12HEB 5:14In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of being captive to the world and the need to break free from its influence. He refers to the prince of the power of the air, who has dominion over the world. The preacher emphasizes that every person is born into this world as a captive and may not realize it until they try to break free. He also mentions a book by C.S. Lewis called "Out of the Silent Planet," which explores the idea of a redeemed human being taken to other planets unaffected by the fall. The sermon then transitions to discussing the importance of moving from living in the wilderness to living in the canyon, referencing the Apostle Paul's words in Hebrews chapter 3. The preacher encourages the audience to hold fast to their faith and not harden their hearts, drawing from Psalm 95. Finally, he highlights the need to continually seek and rely on Jesus as our heavenly high priest and to enter into the fullness of his life.
Today if You Will Hear His Voice
By Edgar F. Parkyns1.1K44:24PSA 95:7HEB 2:1HEB 3:7HEB 3:15HEB 4:7HEB 4:11In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the idea of God cracking open our hearts to reveal our thoughts and intentions. He compares this process to the laborers breaking up roads by hand, using spikes and sledgehammers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of hearing God's voice and not hardening our hearts. He also discusses the concept of rest, both in heaven and in the present, and encourages the audience to labor to enter into this rest. The speaker concludes by highlighting the need to mix faith with the Word of God in order to truly benefit from it.
The Road That Leads to Rest
By Rick Leibee8201:03:35GAL 5:6HEB 4:7HEB 4:11In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the children of Israel in the book of Numbers. He highlights the importance of belief and faith in God's promises. The preacher emphasizes that some Christians are stuck in a spiritual wilderness, lacking the fullness of God's blessings. He encourages listeners to have a faith like Caleb, who believed wholeheartedly in God's promises and was able to claim his inheritance.
Hebrews - Part 2
By Richard Owen Roberts7671:26:59HEB 3:7HEB 3:12HEB 3:15HEB 4:7HEB 10:24HEB 12:14HEB 12:25HEB 12:28This sermon emphasizes the danger of hardening one's heart towards God, focusing on the warning passages in Hebrews and the consequences of neglecting obedience, faith, and Christian fellowship. It highlights the importance of encouraging and supporting one another in the faith to prevent falling away from God.
Innocent Looking but Evil
By Jim Cymbala54326:11EvilEXO 2:23PSA 95:7HEB 3:7HEB 3:15HEB 4:3HEB 4:7HEB 4:11In this sermon, the pastor discusses the story of Moses sending out spies to explore the land of Canaan. The spies were instructed to assess the strength of the people living there, the condition of the land, and bring back samples of the crops. After 40 days, the spies returned and reported to Moses and the Israelite community. However, instead of being grateful for the information, the people reacted with fear and frustration, even wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb for their report. The pastor emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and the tendency of people to reject messages they don't want to hear.
Freedom From Distraction
By Phil Beach Jr.3829:52Overcoming DistractionsFocus on GodDistractionsPSA 46:10PRO 3:5MAT 6:33ROM 12:21CO 7:26PHP 4:6COL 3:2HEB 4:7JAS 1:221PE 5:8Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of remaining focused on God's voice amidst life's distractions, urging the congregation to prioritize their relationship with God over worldly concerns. He highlights that life-changing decisions stem from a responsive heart to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and encourages parents to instill the significance of hearing God's voice in their children. Beach warns against the distractions of societal pressures and personal ambitions, reminding believers to seek God's will while remaining content in their current circumstances. He concludes with a call to repentance for those who make excuses, urging them to embrace God's truth and avoid distractions that lead away from eternal significance.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
By St. John Chrysostom01CO 10:121CO 15:31CO 15:91TI 1:12HEB 4:7HEB 12:12John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of humility, gratitude, and contentment in the face of life's challenges. He emphasizes the need to acknowledge our faults and attribute our successes to God's grace, showcasing Paul's humility in recognizing his past sins and God's transformative work in his life. Chrysostom encourages the congregation to focus on eternal values rather than temporary worldly distinctions, reminding them of the fleeting nature of wealth, honor, and disgrace. He urges believers to find comfort in the consideration of future blessings and trials, guiding them towards a mindset of enduring joy and hope in Christ.
New Beginnings
By Anton Bosch0GEN 8:13EXO 12:22CH 29:3EZR 7:9MRK 16:2HEB 4:7Anton Bosch emphasizes the significance of fresh starts and new beginnings as seen in the changing of seasons and various Biblical accounts where God initiated new beginnings. From Noah's fresh start after the flood to Jesus' resurrection signifying a new dispensation, the Bible is filled with examples of God giving mankind a chance to start anew. Hezekiah's immediate action in restoring worship and holiness on the first day of his reign serves as a powerful reminder for us to prioritize our relationship with God and make necessary changes without delay. Just like Hezekiah, we are encouraged to open our hearts to God's Spirit and Word, allowing Him to cleanse and restore us for a fresh start.
Hardness of Heart
By Eli Brayley0HOS 10:12MAT 4:4LUK 8:11HEB 4:7JAS 1:22Eli Brayley preaches about the sin of our day and age being the hardness of heart, which hinders the growth of God's Word within us, affecting both the world and the Church. The parable of the sower emphasizes the importance of having good soil in our hearts to receive and produce fruit from God's Word. The message challenges believers to not just hear the Word but to be transformed by it, becoming doers of the Word and demonstrating God's love and power to a lost world.
The Guilt of Indifference to Divine Threatenings.
By Edward Payson0DEU 32:29PSA 95:7PRO 28:14ISA 66:2JER 22:24EZK 12:2MAT 13:15HEB 3:15HEB 4:7JAS 1:22Edward Payson preaches about the importance of heeding God's warnings and messages, emphasizing the consequences of indifference towards His word. He draws parallels between historical accounts of nations who disregarded God's messages and the current state of the listeners, urging them to repent and seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Payson highlights the severity of the sin of hearing God's word without being moved, pointing out contempt, unbelief, and hardness of heart as underlying issues that need to be addressed.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He limiteth a certain day - The term day signifies not only time in general, but also present time, and a particular space. Day here seems to have the same meaning as rest in some other parts of this verse. The day or time of rest relative to the ancient Jews being over and past, and a long time having elapsed between God's displeasure shown to the disobedient Jews in the wilderness and the days of David, and the true rest not having been enjoyed, God in his mercy has instituted another day - has given another dispensation of mercy and goodness by Christ Jesus; and now it may be said, as formerly, To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. God speaks now as he spoke before; his voice is in the Gospel as it was in the law. Believe, love, obey, and ye shall enter into this rest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Again--Anew the promise recurs. Translate as the Greek order is, "He limited a certain day, 'To-day.'" Here Paul interrupts the quotation by, "In (the Psalm of) David saying after so long a time (after five hundred years' possession of Canaan)," and resumes it by, "as it has been said before (so the Greek oldest manuscript, before, namely, Heb 3:7, Heb 3:15), To-day if ye hear His voice," &c. [ALFORD].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Again he limiteth a certain day,.... Since the seventh day of the creation was a day of rest which God entered into, and not man; and since the land of Canaan was a typical rest, which the unbelieving Israelites did not enter into, because of unbelief; and yet there must be persons, and there must be a time for them to enter into the true rest which God has left a promise of; therefore he has limited, fixed, and appointed a certain day, the Gospel dispensation, for believers to enter into it: saying in David; or by David, who was the penman of the 95th psalm, as may be learned from hence; and this is agreeably to, and confirms a rule which the Jews give, that those psalms which are without a title were written by David (g); the Spirit of God spake in him and by him, and plainly pointed out another day of rest from the above mentioned: today, after so long a time; as two thousand five hundred years from the first seventh day to the time of Moses, and five hundred years from the times of Moses and Joshua, to his: as it is said; the Alexandrian copy reads, "as it is before said", or, "above said", as the Vulgate Latin, and Syriac versions; that is, in Psa 95:7 before cited, Heb 3:7 today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; See Gill on Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8. (g) Aben Ezra & Kimchi Praefat. in Tillim.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:7 So God set another time . . . and that time is today: The logic here is that David wrote Ps 95 much later than the wilderness debacle, so God’s rest cannot be limited to that earlier generation. The words already quoted are from Ps 95:7-8; these words encourage us not to harden our hearts when hearing God’s voice so that we might enter the rest that the people in the wilderness were denied. This opportunity is available today (see Heb 3:13).