Summary of Hebrews 3:
The Hebrews writer calls brothers (believers) to fix their thoughts on Jesus who was faithful to God just as Moses was. But Jesus is greater since he is the builder of the house (us) and not the house itself (Moses). God built everything and Moses was a servant in God’s house. Jesus is the son over God’s house.
The Holy Spirit warns not to harden your hearts against Him like the Israelites did in the rebellion where they tested God and God got so angry He swore they would never enter His rest. Instead, encourage one another daily so none of you will be deceived by sin. Have confidence in Christ. Do not be like the Israelites who irked God because they did not believe.
BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 13, Day 4: Hebrews 3
9) Similarities: Both were called to do God’s work. Both were sent to save God’s people. Both lived extraordinary lives because of it.
Differences: Jesus showed a perfect faithfulness in his ministry. Moses disobeyed God and took credit for a miracle (Numbers 8-12) and was thus punished and not allowed to see the promised land. Moses received glory from God but Jesus was transfigured and resurrected. Moses is part of God’s house but Jesus is the creator. Moses was never called a son by God.
10) Praying, meditating on God’s Word, looking for Jesus in every situation, doing what Jesus would do, making God the center of your life, asking for guidance before any major decisions, etc. Otherwise, it is incredibly easy to go off your feelings and allow Satan to creep into your life when you don’t consult God.
11) Christian community allows you to draw strength from one another when you are weak. You are encouraged by the walk others are taking. You know you have a safe place to land when you fall. You know you will be forgiven as well.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 13, Day 4: Hebrews 3
We spent 2 days on this in 2012. Good lesson on always looking for Jesus no matter where you are or what you are doing.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 13, Day 4: Hebrews 3
Understanding who we are in light of who Jesus is and what He did is essential for a healthy Christian life. It keeps us from the same depths of discouragement the early Christians faced.
The ancient Greek word translated apostle really means something like ambassador. In this sense, Jesus is the Father’s ultimate ambassador (Hebrews 1:1-2).
When we consider the past faithfulness of Jesus, it makes us understand that He will continue to be faithful.
Moses Versus Jesus
Moses showed an amazing faithfulness in his ministry; but Jesus showed a perfect faithfulness – surpassing even that of Moses.
Moses received much glory from God. This is seen in his shining face after spending time with God (Exodus 34:29-35), in his justification before Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:6-8), and before the sons of Korah (Numbers 16).
But Jesus received far more glory from the Father, at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), at His transfiguration (Mark 9:7), and at His resurrection (Acts 2:26-27 and Acts 2:31-33).
True commitment to Jesus is demonstrated over the long term, not just in an initial burst. We trust that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).
The Spirit of God (speaking through His Word) told us that Jesus the Messiah is much greater than Moses. As the Holy Spirit speaks, we must hear His voice and not allow our hearts to become hardened. We hear the Spirit speak in the Scriptures, in the heart of His people, in those He draws to salvation, and by His works.
The day of trial refers first to the trial at Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13). More generally, it speaks of Israel’s refusal to trust and enter the Promised Land during the Exodus (Numbers 13:30-14:10). God did not accept their unbelief and He condemned that generation of unbelief to die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:22-23 and 14:28-32).
There is some continuity in God’s work among His people through the centuries. We can learn from the mistakes of God’s ancient people.
Because of their unbelief, the people of Israel faced judgment which culminated after forty years. This warning in Hebrews was written about forty years after the Jews’ initial rejection of Jesus. God’s wrath was quickly coming upon the Jewish people who rejected Jesus, and would culminate with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem. Therefore, they could not enter the rest God had appointed for them, the Land of Canaan.
“The great sin of not believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is often spoken of very lightly and in a very trifling spirit, as though it were scarcely any sin at all; yet, according to my text, and, indeed, according to the whole tenor of the Scriptures, unbelief is the giving of God the lie, and what can be worse?” (Spurgeon)
Dangers of Hidden Sin
Christians must be vigilant against hardness of heart. That hidden sin you indulge in – none suspect you of it because you hide it well. You deceive yourself, believing that it really does little harm. You can always ask forgiveness later. You can always die to self and surrender to Jesus in coming months or years. What you cannot see or sense is that your hidden sin hardens your heart. As your heart becomes harder you become less and less sensitive to your sin. You become more and more distant from Jesus. And your spiritual danger grows every day.
As a nation, Israel made a good beginning. After all, it took a lot of faith to cross the Red Sea. Yet all of that first generation perished in the wilderness, except for the two men of faith – Joshua and Caleb.
Eleven times in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4, the Book of Hebrews speaks of entering rest. That rest will be deeply detailed in the next chapter. But here, the key to entering rest is revealed: belief.
One might be tempted to think the key to entering rest is obedience, especially from Hebrews 3:18: to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? But the disobedience mentioned in Hebrews 3:18 is an outgrowth of the unbelief mentioned in Hebrews 3:19. The unbelief came first, then the disobedience.
In conclusion: God revealed himself in the Creation, in the prophets, in the Old Testament, and now finally in Jesus. We are God’s house.
