There are several things that are really, really awesome about this chapter. First and foremost, we see a glimpse at God's "big picture". We see how He took the disobedience of the Israelites and said "Someday, you will want to rest with me and I'll be waiting." And He waited patiently. For a long time. But He had a plan, a way to lay the ground work to welcome us back. He personally prepared a way so that I may have a relationship without the bloody sacrifices because there was one sacrifice paid for all eternity. And what's exciting for me to think about is that He made this master-plan for everyone, me included. And that's something really cool. As I sit here and write this on the Sabbath, I think about the Great Sabbath that is promised to us in this chapter.
To quote one of my favorite Christian bands of all time, "My God is not dead, He's surely alive."
And that's the second thing we see in this chapter in verse 12. The analogy used here of a two-edged sword is apt. It cuts both ways, severing us from Sin while simultaneously revealing to us God's desire and wisdom. What I like about this analogy is how deep it portrays the ability of the word of God to penetrate. Reading the word of God is not something easily forgotten. It seeps into our bones and affects us from the inside out. There is nothing, absolutely nothing we can do to hide from God. He knows all and sees all. We are forever and always in His sight. Think about that today as you start off your week.
I found it hard to pick out a single verse from this one - its all so amazing - The whole idea of rest is carried over from chapter 3 - possible because i read them back to back - but this idea of a sabbath is so cool. I have though about it before but never felt the weight of it. Today ive been sitting in the front of the house for about 2 hours now cathing up on these blogs and it has been so resful and amazing. God wasnt kidding when he told us to take rest and that we have to have a faith to enter that rest - partially because this time is seen as unproductive to the eyes of others. The second part i found amazing was the idea of confidently approaching Gods presence. This again comes out of faith because we KNOW that God still loves us and wants to be with us.
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