In Hebrews chapter three and four we see the superiority of Christ over Old Testament leaders. This epistle was written to Hebrew Christians. They are the holy brethren. They are separated from the world and belonged to Christ. They are the part takers of heavenly calling and bound to heaven. Author wants them to consider Christ, the Apostle and High priest of our confession.Apostle is the one who is sent with authority. This is the only time Christ is referred to as Apostle in the New Testament. He is also our perfect representative before the Father. Moses was their great leader. From Adam to Moses, there was none greater than Moses. He led Israel from captivity and did many miracles among them. God spoke to Moses face to face and gave the law through him. He is the author of the first five books of the Bible and the greatest historian. God says Moses was the meekest among all men and faithful in the house of God as a servant(Num 12:3,7). So the author presents a contrast between Moses and Christ to show Christ's superiority.Moses was faithful was a servant but Christ as Son. Christ is the builder and in charge of the household of God. Therefore son has more honor then the servant. Here the household is the entire family of God. So the author exhorts us to be loyal to Christ and continue in the faith to inherit the perfect fellowship with God.
From chapter 3:7 on wards we see the warning against unbelief. Verses 7-11 is a quotation from Psalm 95:7-11.Here the writer gives a solemn warning from the tragic example the children of Israel's wandering in the wilderness. Despite all that God has done for them they rebelled against God and perished in the wilderness. Out of all men came out of Egypt, only two men over the age of 20 entered the promised land. Unbelief is due to hardness of heart. Hardening of the heart is caused by sin. This can lead to apostasy. It is the falling away from God or drifting away from the truth. This would keep people from experiencing God's best for their lives. The remedy is to exhort one another daily. Sin is pleasurable to senses and can seduce our soul. So the author encourages us to hold to the initial confidence in the Lord. In Christian life it is not how we started that matter but how we finish.
In chapter 3 the author showed how the children of Israel missed the promised land. They were set free through the blood of the Passover Lamb(Ex 12). They were the saved people from judgement. In chapter 4, the author encourages the readers to consider the experience of Israel and warns that they should not fall short of God's best for their lives. God is not satisfied with saving us from judgement. We are His workmanship( Eph 2:8_10). Israel lost the fear or or owe once they had for God. They heard the good news at Kadeshbarnea about the promised land(Num 14). But it did not profit them because of unbelief. Joshua did not give them rest. David wrote that this rest is still available(Psalm 95:8).We can find this rest not in a place but in the person of Christ(Matt 11:28). This rest speaks of our blessed fellowship with God.We enter in to this rest when we trust Christ. It is the positional rest. We also experience this rest when we live in obedience. One day we will into eternal rest in heaven. Today this promise is still available for one and all (Matt 11:28-30). Believers should be careful not to miss God's best for our lives because of unbelief. Many people hear the Gospel, but not profited because of unbelief. So today if you hear the Gospel, harden not your hearts(4:7).May God help the us!
From chapter 3:7 on wards we see the warning against unbelief. Verses 7-11 is a quotation from Psalm 95:7-11.Here the writer gives a solemn warning from the tragic example the children of Israel's wandering in the wilderness. Despite all that God has done for them they rebelled against God and perished in the wilderness. Out of all men came out of Egypt, only two men over the age of 20 entered the promised land. Unbelief is due to hardness of heart. Hardening of the heart is caused by sin. This can lead to apostasy. It is the falling away from God or drifting away from the truth. This would keep people from experiencing God's best for their lives. The remedy is to exhort one another daily. Sin is pleasurable to senses and can seduce our soul. So the author encourages us to hold to the initial confidence in the Lord. In Christian life it is not how we started that matter but how we finish.
In chapter 3 the author showed how the children of Israel missed the promised land. They were set free through the blood of the Passover Lamb(Ex 12). They were the saved people from judgement. In chapter 4, the author encourages the readers to consider the experience of Israel and warns that they should not fall short of God's best for their lives. God is not satisfied with saving us from judgement. We are His workmanship( Eph 2:8_10). Israel lost the fear or or owe once they had for God. They heard the good news at Kadeshbarnea about the promised land(Num 14). But it did not profit them because of unbelief. Joshua did not give them rest. David wrote that this rest is still available(Psalm 95:8).We can find this rest not in a place but in the person of Christ(Matt 11:28). This rest speaks of our blessed fellowship with God.We enter in to this rest when we trust Christ. It is the positional rest. We also experience this rest when we live in obedience. One day we will into eternal rest in heaven. Today this promise is still available for one and all (Matt 11:28-30). Believers should be careful not to miss God's best for our lives because of unbelief. Many people hear the Gospel, but not profited because of unbelief. So today if you hear the Gospel, harden not your hearts(4:7).May God help the us!
