Hebrews 3 and 4 — The Believer’s High Priest
Introduction: Chapters 3 and 4 encourage the believer to hold fast to the sure hope that is through Christ alone, to have become a member in His everlasting household. They will be residents in the new heavens and the new earth after the death of the physical body; and that is the place of eternal rest with Christ. The letter also warns those who have not made a true profession of faith from the heart, to consider the lesson from the “provocation” in the wilderness.
Note: Bible passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — Partakers of the Heavenly Calling
“Hebrews 3:1-6 Why, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who has built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses truly was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
B — Harden Not Your Hearts as in the Provocation
“Hebrews 3:7-19 Why (as the Holy Ghost said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Why I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.”
Comments: The author of the letter made reference to the “provocation” when Israel tempted God in the wilderness. The Israelites had been led out of Egypt with miraculous signs and wonders, yet many turned away in unbelief. The author warns believers not to follow that same pattern by hardening their hearts or departing from the living God through unbelief. Daily exhortation among believers is necessary to prevent the deceitfulness of sin from taking root.
C — Enter into God’s Rest Through Faith
“Hebrews 4:1-11 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief; again, he limited a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
Comments: The promise of God’s rest was given to Israel, but many failed to enter because of unbelief. This promise remains available to believers through faith in Christ. The “rest” spoken of in Scripture refers not just to physical rest, but to a spiritual rest that comes from ceasing from one’s own works and trusting entirely in God’s provision. Believers are urged to labor to enter this rest through faith, avoiding the pitfall of unbelief that kept the wilderness generation out of the promised land.
D — The Word of God Discerns All Things
“Hebrews 4:12-16 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Comments: God’s Word is living and active, able to penetrate the innermost thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Yet the author closes with an encouragement: we have a High Priest who understands our weaknesses and temptations because He experienced them, yet remained sinless. Therefore, we can approach God’s throne with confidence, knowing we will receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, help me to hold fast to my confidence in Christ and not allow unbelief to harden my heart as happened with so many in the wilderness. I want to enter into the rest that comes from ceasing my own works and fully trusting in You. Your Word pierces through all my pretense and reveals the true state of my heart and mind. Thank You for Jesus, my High Priest, who understands my weaknesses and intercedes for me before Your throne. Give me courage to approach Your throne of grace boldly, knowing I will find the mercy and help I need. Keep me from the deceitfulness of sin and help me to encourage others daily in their faith. Amen.
Published 13 January 2020
Comments: The readers of this letter are addressed as “holy brothers” who are “partakers of the heavenly calling” and encouraged to think about Christ who is the high priest of all who profess faith in him. Moses was faithful as he was called of God to lead all of the twelve tribes of the “house” of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. But Jesus is worthy of more honor than Moses, being also the “builder and owner of the house” because he is one with the creator God. Christ is a son over his own house; and that house includes all those who hold fast to the confidence and the rejoicing of the sure hope firm to the end.