The Rest Joshua Couldn't Give
Some thoughts on Hebrews 4
Hebrews was written to Christians who were undergoing persecution just before the war between Judea and Rome reached its climax. Having been zealous for the Law until this point, the Jewish Christians had a decision to make: do we get caught up in the patriotic fervor and follow our countrymen into battle to protect our land, or do we leave the city as Jesus instructed to avoid sure defeat?
To convince the readers that the Way of Christ is the answer to their questions, the Hebrews writer offers several comparisons to prove the basic point: Jesus’s way is better. Having started with the angels and the exodus under Moses’s leadership, we now find ourselves at the conquest of Canaan by Joshua.
Today, the books of history are being used to justify violent attempts to claim or maintain the land in the Middle East. They are also cited to justify cruel dreams of potential Christian violence. My friend Brian told a story in one of his books of a young man who stood up during one of his talks about violence done by Christians and said, “If the Bible reveals that God is violent, and if God commands us to do violence, it must be a just and holy violence, so I will defend it with my life.”1
But does the Bible command such violence? Is the peace, or rest, that one gets from violent revolution or aggression the peace that Jesus had in mind when he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers”?
The Hebrews writer doesn't seem to think so. And with that being said, let’s get into Hebrews 4.
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Joshua Wasn't Successful
Joshua was very successful in his conquest of Canaan from one perspective, but according to Hebrews 4, he didn't really accomplish all that he may have thought that he did.
Hebrews 4 says, “For if Yēsous rested them, he would not have spoken of another day after these events. Therefore a sabbatical is left open for God’s people” (Hebrews 4:8–9, Scot McKnight’s Second Testament).
You’ll notice that Scot has translated Joshua’s name, which shows that Jesus and Joshua share a name, much like Juan and John. I think this is important because it shows that Jesus retells Joshua’s story by accomplish what Joshua couldn’t. He offers true rest.
Through picking up the sword, Joshua was very successful in his conquest of Canaan. Joshua 21 describes his success:
Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to their ancestors that he would give them, and having taken possession of it, they settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors; not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:43–45, NRSV
Yet despite this success, the Hebrews writer sees that there is something more…something Joshua could never offer through the sword.
In other words, the temporary rest that comes from violence, land disputes, and elimination of one’s enemies is not God’s ultimate plan for his people. While it may be effective in the short-term, it has zero eternal value. God has something much better to offer us that requires no further violence, no further bloodshed, and no further land disputes.
The Better Rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30, NRSV
The Sabbath that is left open for God’s people is life in the presence of God. Notice, I did not say that it is death in the presence of God. That is, it is not limited to a time after this life. Instead, it it is life in the presence of God: here, now, and forevermore.
The current (or at least imminent) offer of this promise is reiterated several times in Hebrews:
Therefore, let us approach with frankness Grace’s throne so we may receive compassion and we may find grace for good-timed help. Hebrews 4:16, The Second Testament
Therefore, siblings, having frankness for the path-entry of the devoted places by Yēsous’ blood, which made new for us a fresh and living path through the inner veil which is his flesh and having a great priest at God’s house, let us approach with true hearts in allegiance’s full assurance, having the hearts sprinkled from an evil consciousness and the body being washed with clean water. Hebrews 10:19–22
But you have approached to Mount Siōn, to the Living God’s city, to heavenly Yierousalēm, and to myriads of envoys, to a festival… Hebrews 12:22
This rest is the actual promise Abraham longed for, according to the Hebrews writer in Hebrews 11. Dwelling in the city of God through laying down one’s life is far more valuable than dwelling on a parcel of land one wins through taking the lives of others.
As I write this in a coffee shop, the television is showing scenes from the war between Israel and Hamas. Let’s pray the true nature of God’s rest is revealed to each person involved in this conflict. May the perpetrators realize the blessings available to them regardless of where they live. May the other side realize the land is not worth continued cycles of violence and oppression. And may the victims on both sides find rest in the midst of this horrific time of war. May they especially approach God’s throne with confidence to find grace at this time.
McLaren, Brian D. . The Great Spiritual Migration (pp. 73-74). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.