“Hebrews 3”

Monday, September 04, 2017

There was no one more important to the Hebrew people than Moses (unless maybe it was David). Moses was the great Old Testament Lawgiver, the leader of the children of Israel during the wilderness years. He stood in the presence of God while receiving the Law and his face continued to shine brightly for several days (2 Corinthians 3:7-13; Exodus 34:29-35). The Messiah was to be a Lawgiver (James 4:12), “like me,” according to Moses himself (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-23).

Now the author of Hebrews reminds them that Jesus is to be “counted worthy of more glory than Moses” (verse 3). Both were faithful to God. Moses was faithful to the Lord in his house as a servant, while Christ was faithful over His own house as the Son of God. Jesus was God’s only begotten Son (remember Hebrews 1:5?).

So once again (and not for the last time either), the Hebrews are told to keep their faith strong in Christ and not to revert to the Old Law. He says to “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firm to the end” (verse 6) and to be “steadfast to the end” (verse 14).

They are reminded of Israel’s historical failure to remain faithful to God, referring especially to the time in “the wilderness” (verse 8).  During that forty year journey, their fathers rebelled often against God and His chosen leader, Moses. Those who hardened their hearts and forsook the Lord died and their “corpses fell in the wilderness” (verse 17). Those who persevered were allowed to enter the Promised Land.

What does that mean to us today? We must not go astray in our hearts and turn from serving God. Do not rebel against His will for your life. The consequences will be eternal.

--Roger Hillis

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