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By Sam Smith|Published Date: July 30, 2010
Hebrews 3:7-11
7Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
8do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
10Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways.’
11As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
Story: Demonstrative power is faith-building. Those of the Exodus generation were eye-witnesses to the mighty hand of the LORD (Hb., YHWH) over Egyptian deities on numerous, seemingly impossible, occasions. In the Lord’s rescue of the Hebrew slaves, He exercised His sheer power over nature (the twelve plagues, the parting of the sea, the tower of fire). These demonstrations were their first opportunity of living in trusting dependence to the God and His servant Moses (Ex. 7-12; 13:21-22; 14; 14:31). One would think that the Lord would have earned their trust in supplying their needs as He led them forward toward the Promised Land. But, as the text points out, there is a difference between acknowledging God and giving one’s heart in obedient devotion. In the same way, the Lord sets before each of us a choice of whether or not we want Him to redefine us.
Structure: The writer of Hebrews knows the frailty of the human soul. For the Hebrews, walking by faith and not by sight was a matter of whether or not they trusted the rule of God. Should they always and without question heed the voice of Moses? Where would they find water or even an expanded buffet when a 360 degree view revealed nothing in sight? Even more, why should they believe themselves capable of depriving giant-killers of their walled cities and land? (Ex. 16:4; 17:2-9; 32:10; Num. 11:33; 13:25-32). Was it any harder for the Lord to give His people drink and food? If He could handle the mightiest army on earth, could He not defeat any lesser foes? The answer they gave showed their contempt in being forced to depend upon Him and submit to His rule over their lives. Their failure stands as a warning to us.
The requirement to live in trusting dependence on the Lord reflects what we think of Him. In your anxious moments when you look around and see no conceivable provisions, does your attitude convey implied distrust of Him? Will you allow yourself to have a low view of God, His abilities and His love for you?
For more insight to the Book of Hebrews, get the book, Hebrews, by Erik M. Heen and Philip D. W. Krey, from our online store.
The Worldview Bible examines the teaching of Scripture according to the Story and Structure of Truth – the Framework of Christian Worldview – using only other Scriptures for illumination. Information about The Framework of Truth is available on this site. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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