Hebrews 3 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

Who is Faithful?

We begin in Hebrews 3 with a therefore. This is one of the most powerful contextual words. It means everything that is following is directly tied to what has just been taught. Out of Jesus being the Captain of our salvation, we are are instructed to consider Him, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. In this consideration, we are given a direction to consider as well. He was faithful to the Father who appointed Him.

A comparison gets brought into the conversation. Moses was faithful in all His house. What the Lord entrusted to him, Moses proved himself to have done well, but Jesus is counted worthy of more glory than him. Moses was faithful with his occupancy in the house. He managed it well and honored the Lord in the instructions given. But the house never belonged to Moses. He simply occupied it. Jesus is the builder of this house. Moses was a servant. Jesus is the Son. Jesus is faithful with that which He owns. This drives a point that the writer of Hebrews carries forward. We are the house of the Lord if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

The subject matter shifts from Christ, who is faithful, to the reader. Another therefore is presented. Psalm 95:7-11 is quoted, a Psalm that has very strong Messianic ties. The emphasis is critical. If you hear His voice, do not resist Him. Do not harden your heart. Those in the wilderness also bore witness of the wonders of the working of the Lord. They received the words given by Moses. Still they hardened their hearts. The result was rebellion and disobedience. The cause was their unbelief. So the believer is warned by Hebrews. Be wary lest there be an evil heart of unbelief in you! It may cause you to depart from the living God.

Interestingly, despite their being this introspective concern to maintain belief, rather than turning and being self-focused, the instruction is to encourage and exhort one another. Spur each other on to continue the faith! Take the opportunity of today to do so! That exhortation can keep us from being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Encourage one another to keep the faith and hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

The warning is reiterated. Just because you have heard and received does not mean there is no chance of consequences. It was those who were saved from Egypt who rebelled! Those that continued in sin bore consequences of the wrath of God. He swore that they would not enter His rest because they would not obey. The final statement of the chapter may prove to be a confusing one to many who claim Christ. We see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. But wasn't the problem that they did not obey? Scripture does not make such a distinction. If you obey, it is because you believe. If you disobey, it is because you do not believe. Those who have sincere faith will be sincerely faithful. They cannot be separated. As Jesus believed the Father, He walked in obedience. The Captain of our salvation proved what faith looks like. We would do well to not make a distinction where Jesus does not. Be faithful, you who are full of faith.

What observation are you making in today's Scripture?
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