
Hebrews 3
Hebrews 3 provides an appeal for faithfulness among believers, drawing parallels between Jesus and Moses, and emphasizing the importance of obedience and perseverance in faith to avoid the pitfalls that befell the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The author urges the readers to take heed of the warnings from the past and to encourage one another daily to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.
Hebrews 3:1-6 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.
5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Verses 1-6 emphasize the supremacy of Christ over Moses. While Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house, Christ is honored more as the Son and builder of the house. The passage calls on believers to reflect on Christ's role as both Apostle and High Priest, acknowledging His faithfulness and superior authority. It underscores the importance of holding onto one’s faith with confidence and joy until the end, highlighting the believers' role as part of God's spiritual household, contingent on their perseverance.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”
Verses 7-11 quote Psalm 95, warning against the hardening of hearts as the Israelites did during their time in the wilderness, leading to God’s displeasure. This historical reference serves as a stern reminder that disobedience and lack of faith can prevent believers from entering God's rest, symbolizing peace and fulfillment in Him. The author uses this comparison to exhort readers to heed God's voice today and not repeat the mistakes of their ancestors.
Hebrews 3:12-15 (NKJV)
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Verses 12-15 continue the admonition against unbelief, highlighting the dangers of a heart hardened by sin's deceitfulness. The author encourages the community of believers to continually support each other to maintain their faith and commitment to God. The conditional nature of their relationship with Christ is reiterated—remaining part of Christ depends on steadfast faith from start to finish.
Hebrews 3:16-19 (NKJV)
16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Verses 16-19 conclude the chapter by summarizing the consequences faced by the Israelites due to their unbelief and disobedience. The rhetorical questions underscore the seriousness of their rebellion and the resulting divine judgment. This historical example serves as a sobering reminder that failure to trust and obey God can lead to severe repercussions, including the loss of divine rest and blessing. The author uses this to caution believers against similar failures in their faith journey.