Study in the Book of Hebrews (3)

Moses: Background

Born during Egyptian bondage – 1500 BC

Raised at Egyptian royal court

Fled to desert – 40 years

Called to lead Israel – 80 years old

Moses: Background (cont’d)

Gave Israel Law-Tabernacle; social & food laws, priest & sacrificial system

Died in the desert

Considered an “authority” figure

Outline

Comparison of Moses & Christ

Warning to Jesus’ Followers

Be careful NOT to follow the example of Jews.

Hebrews 3:1–6 ESV

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Question #1

How does Hebrews 3:1-6 establish Jesus' superiority over Moses? What are the key differences between their roles and significance?

Hebrews 3:7–11 ESV

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ”

Question #2

In verses 7-11, how does the phrase "today" (verse 7) emphasize the urgency of responding to God's call and the importance of avoiding delay?

Hebrews 3:12–16 ESV

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?

Question #3

In verses 12-16, what is the result of unbelief?