Hebrews 3 1-2 Continuing from the previous 2 chapters, the 1st one showing Him being higher than angels, chapter 2 He took on the form of man, suffered, and received glory afterwards. With this being said, consider (think about/reason/fix our focus on Him) Jesus: the Apostle (one sent on a mission—to save: John 3:16-17, God sending Him) and High Priest (mediator/representative—Hebrews 4:15). God to humanity—Jesus representing the Father to man, and humanity to God—Jesus representing man before God. Jesus was faithful to the Father as Moses was in all His house (Numbers 12:7). 3-4 Jesus has more glory than Moses because He who built the house has more honour than the house. Moses is part of the house; Jesus is the Builder of all things. 5-6 Moses was faithful in all His house, a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward (slavery in Egypt—slavery to sin, leaving slavery—leaving sin, crossing the sea—baptism, then suffering (40 years) as part of the journey, then crossing the Jordan—just before Canaan (the Promised Land/heaven)). So, the redemption story was shown through Moses’ time. Moses was a servant in the house, but Christ is a Son over His own house (us: the temple of God—us who hold fast/persevere/continue with Him, holding on to the hope till the end). 7-11 Therefore, if we hear His voice, we aren’t to harden our hearts (do not continually ignore His words because this will harden our hearts—becoming fixed/set in sin, with the conscience no longer responding to prompting). Don’t be like the forefathers (Israelites), who tested God after seeing all He had done for them in delivering them from Egypt. They saw all those miracles, but their faith didn’t last. They always went astray in their hearts—choosing evil paths—and they didn’t understand His ways. They saw miracles but didn’t understand God’s character. Because of this, God became angry and swore in His wrath that they would not enter His rest (Canaan/the Promised Land). In the same way, we will not be able to enter His rest/heaven if we continue hardening our hearts even after all He has shown us. Interesting point: verse 7 says, “the Holy Spirit says,” and we know that it’s from Psalms by David, so this affirms that every Scripture is from God. So, when we read the Bible, it’s not merely the words of David or whoever wrote it, but the words of God (2 Tim. 3:16). 12-13 Then he warns us not to be like that, having an evil heart, departing from God/leaving the faith. Instead, encourage/strongly convince one another daily, while it is called “Today” (before it’s too late), lest we become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (sin looks good/deceivingly good, enticing us and then leading to us becoming hardened in it/immovable/set in the way). 14-15 For we’ve become partakers (shareholders—whatever is His is ours) if we stay faithful till the end. Today, if we hear His voice, we’re not to harden our hearts as they did in the rebellion. 16-17 The Israelites heard God’s Word and chose to rebel (disobey). These people experienced the consequences of being hardened in sin and rebellion. They all died in the wilderness, not being able to enter the rest (Promised Land). Rest from what? Slavery and hardship. And for us, slavery from sin—finally being able to rest from all the hardships of the world. 18-19 So, the Israelites did not enter Canaan, why? because of unbelief (not believing in God, rejecting what He was saying to them instead of trusting and obeying). We too cannot get into heaven without believing in God (trusting what He says and obeying Him). Application: Don’t harden our hearts when we hear His prompting (continually rejecting what He is saying to us). Instead of rebelling, obey Him (turn away from repeated sin and respond to what He is telling us). Learn from the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land because it mirrors the redemption story. Learn from their errors so that we may enter the Promised Land/heaven. Hold fast to the faith until the end.