Dig In:
Passage: Hebrews 3
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1 - Chapter three opens with a key imperative that's critical for you to follow:
Fix your thoughts upon Jesus (NIV)
There's going to be all sorts of things gunning for your attention today, so important, some not. Remember the old TV's and radios in which you always had to move the antenna around to keep the signal strong? That's exactly what you must do with your thoughts throughout the day to keep Christ at the center.
v2-6 - A big theme in Hebrews is the comparison of Jesus to other icons people had placed their hope in, like angels and priests. In this passage, the author states Moses was faithful in God's house (v2), yet Jesus was faithful over God's house (v6).
v7-13 - The author points back to the second half of Psalm 95 to show the result that comes from wandering away from the Lord as Moses' people were so prone to do on their journey to the Promised Land. Verses 12-13 show the importance that community encouragement has in keeping people from turning away. Be reminded that you must be surrounded regularly with other believers in order to keep you strong!
v14-15 - This sort of passage, which is a repetition of v6, tends to evoke a sense of unease, as if our ability to make it to the Promised Land depends upon our ability to hold firmly. We've already been reminded that not even Moses had enough strength to do so, so how can you?
You will share in Christ - if -
you hold firmly to the end
However, this passage is not meant to discourage you; quite the opposite in fact. Remember, we don't just rip words out of Scripture and make them stand on their own, we read them within the context of the entire Bible. With that in mind, here's how the Holy Spirit intends you to read these passages:
You will share in Christ - if -
you hold firmly to the end
- and you will, because -
you can do this through Christ who gives you strength (Phil. 4:13)
v16-19 - This chapter ends on a note of warning for those who, like the unfaithful Israelites wandering in the desert, do not hold firmly to the end: they were not able to enter God's rest because of their unbelief (v19).
Old Testament Reference(s) -
You've already read the second half of Psalm 95. Read the first half now and see how dramatically different it is. Why do you think the Psalmist made such a sudden shift?
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions.
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: This chapter quotes an oath which God spoke in anger. What was that oath (v11)?
SMALL, BUT IMPORTANT: The word but signals a contrast, or a change in direction. What important contrast or change in direction does this word highlight in v13? Questions taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The master builder of all things (v4)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will keep your mind fixed on Christ so that you will have the strength to hold firmly (v1, 6, 14)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
