The Danger of Unbelief, Part I

The theme of the book of Hebrews is the Superiority of Jesus Christ.  In fact, the author, who is anonymous, proves unmistakably that Jesus Christ is superior to anything that Judaism has to offer.  The book begins by presenting that Jesus Christ is superior to the Prophets, because the Prophets’ revelation was partial and fragmentary; whereas, Christ is God’s final revelation to mankind (Hebrews 1:1-3).  As God’s final revelation to mankind, Christ is the only way to salvation, for Christ said in St. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Through faith in Christ, mankind can obtain eternal life, for St. John 10:28-30 says: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.”  Not only did the author prove that Jesus Christ is superior to the Prophets, but he proves that Jesus Christ is superior to Angels (1:5-2:18) because Angels were servants (messengers) of God, but Christ is the Son of God.  The Angels were held in high esteem among the Jews, but no Angel was ever addressed as the Son!

In Chapter 3:1-6, the author takes up an argument stating that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses by proving Christ’s faithfulness (Hebrews 3:1-2) and the fact that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses as the Builder of the House (Hebrews 3:3-6).  Having proven that Jesus Christ is superior to the Prophets, Angels, and Moses, the author now begins the second great warning of Hebrews.  The first warning had to do with disregarding the salvation of God, in that Hebrews 2:1-4 says:  “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence or reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?”

The second warning that the author presents has to do with disbelieving the sufficiency of God.  The author develops this discussion by drawing attention to the experience of Israel in the wilderness.  The warning comes directly from the Holy Spirit that says:  “Wherefore as the Holy Spirit (Ghost) saith, Today if ye wilt hear His voice.”  Verses 7-11 is a quotation of Psalm 95:7-11.  In quoting this Psalm, the author reminds his readers how Israel had provoked God in the wilderness.  He says, “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, like as in the day of the trial (temptation) in the wilderness, where your fathers tried me by proving me, and saw my works forty years” (3:8-9).

The unbelief and complaints of Israel in the wilderness were truly astonishing.  They had seen God pour out His plagues upon the land of Egypt, separating as the judgments proceeded, between the land of Goshen, where the Israelites dwelt, and the rest of Egypt.  They witnessed the crowning judgment: the slaying of the first born in every Egyptian home.  The emancipated people had experienced a miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea and had seen the Egyptian army overthrown.  After deliverance through the Red Sea, God graciously provided for them in the wilderness as He led them by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day; moreover, God fed them with manna in the morning and quail at supper time, even providing water from a rock for their physical refreshment!  But before long they began to criticize and complain, and as fresh problems erupted, they rebelled against Moses desiring to go back to Egypt.

It took God one night to get them out of Egypt; however, it takes a lifetime to get the Egypt out of us!  Because they provoked God by continually putting Him to the test, God had no recourse but to punish Israel (3:10-11).  They refused to accept the reality of all that He had done and was doing for them!  God, in turn, refused to allow them to enter into Canaan to rest.  God said:  “They do always err in their heart: but they did not know my ways” (3:10).  Because of Israel’s unbelief in not trusting the Lord’s sufficiency, they did not enter into the rest of dwelling in Canaan and they died in the wilderness.

In closing, let us not be like Israel in doubting the sufficiency of God as we encounter various trials in life; however, let us continue to trust in the Lord’s sufficiency: His power, protection and provision.  So instead of complaining when fresh problems erupt in your life, let us continue to trust in the Lord – listen to the hymn writer:

I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord until I die
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord until I die.

I’m goin’ to watch, fight and pray.
I’m goin’ to watch, fight and pray.
I’m goin’ to watch, fight and pray until I die
I’m goin’ to watch, fight and pray.
I’m goin’ to watch, fight and pray.
I’m goin’ to watch, fight and pray until I die.

May God Bless!