As we read through the book of Hebrews, we begin to feel more and more like we are in the middle of a debate. And a debate where the affirmitive really knows his stuff and not only that, he can knock any leg out from under your chair he wants. The argument is stacked against the person who would deny the sovreignty and sufficiency of Christ. Chapter 3 opens demonstrating that Christ, as the founder of our salvation, the one who brings many sons to glory, the one who God gives many children and he loses not one of them, is far superior to Moses. The first two chapters builds up to this climactic revelation. Moses was a servant in the house. Christ, as the son, was not only the builder of the house, but Lord over and of the house. You dear Christian, are the house.
This is our confidence, boasting, hope. Through these notes, I ask three questions to prepare you for the message on Sunday.
1. What do you place your confidence in? Is your confidence boastful?
2. Where do you find your rest?
3. Consequences are based on disbelief. Is there an unbelieving heart in you?
Chapter 3
v1. The author here reccognizes the common ground of all believer regardless of calling. We all have the same origin (2:11) and if Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers, we should not be ashamed also. We share in a heavenly calling to walk before the Lord and be blameless (Gen 17:1) and to "be holy as he is holy." (Lev 11:44, 1 Pet 1:16) Pay attention (2:1) to the message that Christ as apostle speaks.
v2-6. As high priest, Christ is faithful over what God has appointed him to do (2:17). While Moses was faithful it was a different office. It was as a servant. Christ was faithful as "Son". Moses did not build the house of Israel, God chose the house. Moses spoke about things to come. Consider how this Jesus not only spoke a greater message of repentance, but founded salvation since there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. He came not just to bring salvation to Israel but to the whole world. Every tribe and nation. In building this "house" he has provided a dwelling place for God being built by the Spirit (Eph 2:22). This message and Jesus testifies to a truth of the past (2:1, 3:5), the restful present (4:3,11) and a glorious future (Rev 19:8).
v7-12 Echoes once again 2:1, to pay attention. Listen to what you hear. Do not drift away. Do not neglect salvation. Do not fall away from the living God. Author quotes Psalms 95:7-11. Rebellion, evil, disbelief, caused God to not let them enter His rest. What is God's rest? His promise. What is God's promise? That they would inherit the land. This generation even with the benefit of signs and Moses, were rebellious and did not believe. They did not find rest from 40 years of wandering. They fell in the wilderness dead. To be told that our conduct and disobedience would bring about consequence and wrath from God should make us pay even closer attention to the message spoke. This fear should make us either a) continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling which is far better or b) we turn hard-hearted and are led away by an evil and unbelieving heart.
v13-19 This unbelief caused the Israelites to fall (die) in the wilderness. They were unable to enter God's rest. They perished in vanity, rebellion, disobedience, and unbelief. What is the cause of this? Sin blinds. Sin keeps us from seeing all that God would give us. Moses did not enter this rest spoken of. The Christian duty is to encourage his brother daily. Encourage him to run the race, press on towards the goal. Suffer well in our wanderings. Knowing full well that suffering produces endurance. Endurance-character. Character-hope. Hope does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3) This same hope out to be our confidence and boasting. This same hope ought to be what we are standing firmly upon in the end.(3:6,14)
Chapter 4
v1 The promise still stands however. Those who were rebellious and unbelieving perished in the wilderness. Even with the benefit of daily signs and miracles after they left Egypt, they still did not believe. Signs are not proof of our salvation, they are proof of God's promise and most importantly of Himself. He reveals himself through the outward workings of miracles both great and small in order to turn unbelieving hearts towards himself in repentance.
It is not wrong to fear NOT reaching this promised rest. Ishmael had all the appearances and outward signs of the covenant, yet the promise did not apply to him. The Christian ought to examine himself daily. He should train himself in righteousness as to win the prize and reach the goal. He should train to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness.
v2-7 They heard but did not listen. They saw the signs but did not see. It was of no eternal benefit to them. Isaiah's prophecy (Is 6:9), applies even to these and to those who questioned Jesus and to those who question today. They are able to hear and not understand, See and not percieve. They are not united in faith with those who believe because faith comes through hearing the word of God. Faith comes through hearing, then believing, and calling upon the name of the Lord in repentance (Rom 10)
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