The Danger of Unbelief, Part II Hebrews 3:12-19
The superiority of Jesus Christ to anything that Judaism has to offer is the supreme theme of the book of Hebrews. The author, who is anonymous, has unmistakably proven that Jesus Christ is superior to the Prophets because the revelation that Prophets revealed was partial and fragmentary (Hebrews 1:1-3); Jesus Christ is superior to Angels (Hebrews 1:5-2:18) in that Angels were mere servants (messengers), but Jesus Christ is the Son who will reign supreme in the Millennial Kingdom. Moreover, the author went on to demonstrate that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses in Hebrews 3:1-6, for Moses was just a servant in the house, whereas, Jesus Christ is the builder of God’s house.
In Hebrews 3:7-11, the author quotes from Psalm 95:7-11 and reviews Israel’s sordid history, a history of perpetual complaint, lust, idolatry, unbelief and rebellion. The Lord has persistently performed awesome miracles before the Nation of Israel, yet when fresh trials invaded their rank, they refused to trust God. God had been faithful to the nation of Israel, for He had emancipated them by His stupendous power in parting the Red Sea; in the wilderness, He protected them and denoting His presence among them by the “pillar of fire by night” and the “pillar of cloud by day”. Yet, having shown His continual care for His people, the people constantly rebelled against God’s authority.
Beginning in Hebrews 3:12-15, we have the application which the Holy Spirit draws for us from Israel’s experience. The author is exhorting his readers to be constantly on guard against a rebellious and unbelieving heart that might cause them to fall away from the living God! In days of difficulty and distress, God’s people should be urging others not to forsake Christ for religions that cannot deal with sin effectively; religions that leave a man with no forgiveness of sins, no hope beyond the grave and no possibility of repentance. So, a strong antidote to those who are about to forsake Christ is for believers to mutually exhort them to remain steadfast in the faith (vv. 13-14). So, in verse 15, the author concludes his personal application of Israel’s sad experience by repeating the words of Psalm 95:7-8, for with a sense of urgency he said:
“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” This urgent appeal, once directed to Israel, is now directed to any who might be tempted to forsake the good news and return to the law.
In verses 16-19, it is indeed tragic to note that of all that left Egypt by Moses, only two really trusted God – Caleb and Joshua. Because of their unbelief the Nation of Israel was condemned to ceaseless wanderings in the wilderness until they were overtaken at last by death. Unbelief overcame them! They were saved, but they never enjoyed Canaan. They settled for less than God had for them. A people who had trusted God to bring them out of Egypt simply rebelled at the notion to trust God to bring them into Canaan. As a result, they forfeited, not their salvation, but the joy, peace, and rest God intended for them in the Promise Land (3:18-19).
My brothers and sisters, it would be indeed disastrous for us to begin this Christian journey trusting in His power to save us and protect us; but when fresh trials erupt in our lives, we begin to waver in our trust that He is able to sustain us even in the tough moments of our lives. When you are encountering difficult trials in life, don’t forget His past Divine deliverances. Our God is a great deliverer, and He guarantees us that our Christian journey will be triumphant, for Jude 24-25 says: “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever, Amen.”
May God Bless!
