Hebrews 3:7-11

7: Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, 
8: DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, 
9: WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED ME BY TESTING ME, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. 
10: “THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’; 
11: AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, ‘THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.’”

*** 

Paul, in his discussion about Jesus, Son of God, being worthy of more honor than Moses, the servant of God; and who began this letter by saying that God used to speak to us through the fathers, but now speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2); quoted from Psalm 95:7-11 where the Holy Spirit said not to harden your hearts when you hear His voice today. This passage of Scripture speaks of the Israelites hardening their hearts toward God, provoking Him to anger.

The provocation referenced here refers to when Israel, after God brought them out of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, and provided Manna for them to eat, came to Rephidim (renamed Meribah) where there was no water. The people grumbled to the point where Moses told the Lord they were about ready to stone him. The Lord told him to strike the rock at Horeb and water would come out, which it did (Exodus 17:1-7).

The Lord provided for the people miraculously, however, this was the beginning of a pattern for the Israelites grumbling and complaining which the Lord grieved over. Their unbelief ultimately led to their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, that generation not entering into the Promised Land of rest—Canaan (Numbers 14:22-23, 28-30).

The Jewish people were well aware of this story so the warning from Paul not to harden their hearts like their ancestors did would be quite clear. This is why he made the point in the opening of the letter that God now speaks to us through His Son. Back then, He spoke through His servants—the prophets, and the Law He gave to Moses. It was vital for them to understand that God had now sent His Son to speak to us. Jesus was more than a servant, more than a prophet; they must listen to Him to find the way of salvation. Don’t be like their ancestors who wanted to go back to Egypt into slavery.

Today, He still speaks to us through His Son, His Word, as well as His Spirit. He speaks through His Son who is worthy of much more honor than the Law and the Prophets. Be sure to listen to Him so as not to fall short of the future rest coming to His people. His people today are those who believe in and listen to His Son.

 

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