We continue our journey through the book of Hebrews by turning our attention to chapter three. It’s important to note that chapter three marks an important transition in the letter. In chapter one, the pastor establishes Jesus’ supremacy over the prophets and angels. In chapter two, the pastor reminds us of Jesus’ solidarity with humanity. In chapter three the pastor turns toward the relationship between Jesus, Moses, and the story of Israel.
The chapter begins by inviting us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. The pastor reminds us that while Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house, Jesus is faithful as the Son over God's house. Again, this is a statement to draw our attention to the supremacy of Jesus.
But then the chapter takes an interesting turn. The writer reaches back into Israel's history, reminding us of the generation that God delivered from slavery in Egypt. This was a generation that witnessed the extraordinary power and faithfulness of God. They saw the Red Sea parted, they experienced God's miraculous provision in the wilderness, and yet, despite all they had seen and experienced, they struggled to trust God.
The writer describes their condition as a hardening of the heart.
How many of us can relate to this experience? How often have we witnessed God's faithfulness in one season of our lives, only to find ourselves struggling to trust him in the next? How often do the difficulties and uncertainties of our present circumstances cause us to forget the goodness and faithfulness of God in our past?
At the heart of Hebrews 3 is a simple but profound invitation: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
The word today is particularly striking. The writer is reminding us that God is not simply a God who has spoken in the past. He is the living God who continues to speak to his people in the present. And the question before us is whether we will cultivate hearts that are receptive and responsive to his voice.
The chapter also reminds us that this is not a journey we are meant to walk alone. We are called to encourage one another, to help one another remain faithful, and to remind one another of the goodness of God when the wilderness seasons of life make it difficult to see.
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