The Way - Day 150 (Hebrews 3)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Hebrews 3:1-6
Having spent the first two chapters speaking of Jesus' superiority over the angels, the writer now presents Jesus as better than Moses. Moses was highly respected by the Jews and was definitely worthy of honor; after all, it was Moses who led God's people out of Egyptian bondage to the land God had promised to give them. Moses was chosen by God and sent to the Hebrew people in order to accomplish a mission from God...to rescue the them from Egypt. Moses was an apostle, one who was sent with the authority from God; however, Jesus was also an apostle sent by God to save men from their sin. However, the writer is quick to say that Jesus Christ "has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses." Jesus is better than Moses. Why? Moses was a part of the house while Jesus built the house. I realize that does not make much sense so let me explain. The term house is referring to a family rather than a structure and implies that Moses was a part of God's family, but Jesus Christ was actually the creator or builder of that household. In Ephesians 2:19-22 Paul says that the church (not a building but people) was built upon the word of God which was delivered by the apostles and prophets; however, Jesus Christ was the chief cornerstone making Him the foundation of the building...without Him the building would crumble. Much in the same way, Moses was a part of God's household, but Jesus Christ was the foundation making Him equal with God. The writer was not diminishing what Moses had done. Moses was faithful as an apostle of God, but His message pointed to Jesus Christ, who would come in the future (3:5). Since Christ is the creator of the household, we can know we are a part of that house "if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end." The writer is not referencing salvation, but the proof that we have it. As Moses and Jesus Christ were faithful, we also will be faithful to the end. This does not mean that we become perfect, but that we strive to be faithful to Jesus Christ and His commandments.

Hebrews 3:7-19
Jesus was a faithful and perfect witness who brought grace upon mankind through His sacrifice on the cross. The writer had just challenged his readers in 3:1-6 to believe the witness of Jesus Christ and now he warns them in 3:7-19 of the consequences of unbelief. These verses are filled with urgency and the necessity of guarding against rebellion. Using an Old Testament example of the Israelites, the writer offers up the reasons for their 40 year wilderness wanderings...failure to believe in God. The people of God had just been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage, yet they left Egypt and hardened their hearts against God. Although God spoke to the people through Moses, they continued to ignore his voice and complained. God had promised to bring them into the land of Canaan and give them rest from their enemies, but they chose to rebel against God and many would never enter the Promised Land. In the wilderness God had given miracle after miracle to prove His love and faithfulness to them, but they turned their back on Him. Because of their unbelief God was angry at that generation (3:10-11). The author of Hebrews immediately turns his attention to his readers and warns them not to be like the Israelites who continually witnessed God's work, but did not have faith in Him (3:12). Instead, the writer told them that accountability (exhort one another) and abstinence from sin would keep their hearts right before God (3:13). Those who died in the wilderness did so because of unbelief (3:19); therefore, we also must believe God will do what is right and best. The message is clear - guard your heart against unbelief.
 
Dear God, protect from heart from unbelief and remind me, through reading Your word, what You have done and continue to do in my life.